Surprisingly many of us think that kidney disease involves only kidneys – it doesn’t have anything to do with other parts of the body. But this is not true. The fact is this:
“Kidney disease affects your entire body” and can make you feel unwell.
How does kidney disease make you weak?
Kidney disease can make you feel sick, weak, tired, and lethargic. It can lead to less number of red blood cells in your body as there is less red blood cell synthesis from the bone marrow which leads to anemia. Low levels of RBCs and iron in your blood make you feel tired and weak.
When you develop kidney disease, your immune system weakens making you prone to infections.
When your kidneys do not function properly fluid starts to build up in the body.
If you have kidney disease that goes unnoticed for months, then it will lead to an accumulation of fluid in your body especially lungs – for this reason, you will find it difficult to breathe.
Kidney disease can also damage your heart, brain, bones, etc. That’s the reason why kidney disease can often lead to confusion, seizures, and depression and increases the risk of brain stroke and heart attacks.
Read more about “Kidney Disease and Brain Stroke”
Kidney Disease Can Lead to Weak Bones
Yes, this is true! Vitamin D is a vital nutritional tool for the body. It is involved in different roles in the body. One of its essential roles is the absorption of calcium and phosphorus into the bones to make them strong and healthy.
If your kidneys do not work properly, your body cannot maintain optimum levels of vitamin D. In addition, you may not be able to maintain the right amount of minerals that are required for keeping your bones strong. Thus, chronic kidney disease can lead to weak and thin bones and osteoporosis over time which will lead to increased fracture risk,
Kidney Disease Can Affect Your Heart
Heart disease is the leading cause of death across the world. People with kidney disease are at greater risk of heart disease. Therefore, those who are at risk should maintain healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. Those who already have kidney disease should pay more attention to their blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Read more about – The link between kidney disease and heart health
The risk of kidney disease increases with lifestyle and Age
An unhealthy lifestyle over some time can lead to diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease. These are the major risk factors for kidney disease. In addition, aging also makes you prone to these conditions that can increase your risk of kidney disease.
Bottom Line
Early kidney disease is asymptomatic and progresses silently without showing any warning signs. Many people do not realize that they have kidney disease until it reaches an advanced stage. Symptoms in the late stages of kidney disease may include changes in urination, breathlessness, swelling in feet and ankles, loss of appetite, itching, weakness, and nausea.
Therefore, if you think you could be at risk of kidney disease, then do not delay in seeking consultation with a nephrologist.
Remember! Awareness is the key to kidney disease prevention.
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