Don’t let kidney disease sneak up on you

Here are the signs something may be wrong with your kidneys

Could you have kidney disease – and not even know it? Millions of Americans are in the dark about this potentially deadly condition.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention says as many as 9 in 10 adults do not know they have chronic kidney disease. That’s because signs and symptoms are not always recognizable.

“Sometimes people will lose a kidney, whether to surgery or something else, and they still function well with even just one kidney,” says Dr. Thomas Falace, internal medicine physician with St. Joseph’s/Candler Primary Care on the Islands. “The point of that is to say you can have a significant decrease in kidney function before you may see some signs that something is wrong.”

Every day, your kidneys have a major job to do: filter about 200 quarts of blood to make about two quarts of urine. They also balance sodium, calcium, potassium and phosphorous in your blood and prevent waste and fluid from building up on your body. In addition, your kidneys make hormones that control your blood pressure, produce red blood cells and keep your bones strong.

That’s a lot of work for these two small organs, and among the reasons why they can easily be damaged or suffer disease.

Related Article: What is the role of our kidneys

Chronic kidney disease is defined by damage that happens gradually to one or both of your kidneys. The CDC estimates more than 37 million Americans have chronic kidney disease. People with diabetes or high blood pressure are at a higher risk of kidney disease. It’s estimated that 30 percent of adults with diabetes also have chronic kidney disease.

“Poorly controlled hypertension and diabetes are far and away the most common causes of chronic kidney disease,” Dr. Falace says. “With all diabetic patients, we check all protein levels in their urine essentially to see if we can catch early evidence of kidney dysfunction.”

Signs and symptoms

Kidney disease typically has no symptoms at first. As it progresses, you may notice:

• Swelling, especially in your legs, feet and ankles
• Sleep problems and fatigue
• An accumulation of an unwanted substance in the blood
• A change in your electrolyte balance
• Trouble focusing
• Nausea and vomiting

If untreated, chronic kidney disease can lead to kidney failure, heart disease and stroke.

There are two tests that can help you and your healthcare provider track your kidney function:

1. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR): This blood test measures creatinine, which is normally given off when your muscles naturally break down. A GFR of 60 or higher is normal. A GFR of less than 60 may mean you have kidney disease. A GFR of 15 or less may signal kidney failure.
2. Albumin: This urine test checks for albumin, a protein that can pass into urine with kidney damage.

Detecting kidney disease early can help keep your kidneys as healthy as possible. Be sure you see your primary care provider annually to have all your proper lab work completed.

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