Doctor: Signs to detect early kidney failure through skin and digestive changes

Recognizing the warning signs of kidney failure, from changes in skin and blood pressure to urinary disorders or muscle pain, can help detect the disease early and prevent complications.

Meritorious physician, PhD - Doctor Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, Nephrology - Urology Clinic, Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital said that kidney failure is one of the silent but extremely dangerous diseases, directly affecting the vital functions of the body. In Vietnam, it is estimated that there are more than 10 million people with chronic kidney disease (the cause of chronic kidney failure), with about 8,000 new cases each year.

"Kidney failure is a condition in which the kidneys no longer effectively perform their function of filtering blood, removing toxins and regulating water-electrolyte balance in the body. When the kidneys are weakened, waste, toxins and excess fluid will gradually accumulate in the blood, affecting many other organs such as the cardiovascular system, bones and joints and the nervous system," Dr. Thu Huong shared.

Early warning signs of kidney failure

Kidney failure is a disease that progresses silently, without obvious symptoms in the early stages, so it is easily overlooked. Symptoms often only appear clearly when kidney function has significantly decreased. However, early detection plays an extremely important role in helping to treat and control the disease effectively. Therefore, we need to pay attention to the warning signs of kidney failure for timely examination:

Skin and hematological manifestations: Pale skin, pale mucous membranes. Swelling of the face and limbs due to fluid retention. Anemia, which occurs in severe stages and is often difficult to detect early.

Cardiovascular symptoms: High blood pressure. Due to fluid retention and disturbances in the hormones that regulate blood pressure from the kidneys. In severe cases, blood pressure can be difficult to control or resistant to treatment.

Heart failure : Prolonged high blood pressure makes the heart work harder, eventually leading to heart failure. Complications may include pericarditis, pericardial effusion or congestive heart failure.

Digestive, neuromuscular, urinary symptoms : Nausea, loss of appetite, digestive disorders. Diarrhea, ulcers in the oral mucosa, digestive tract... Muscle cramps, weakness (may be due to potassium and calcium disorders in the blood). Bladder symptoms, urinary disorders (frequent urination, painful urination, frequent urination...). Coma due to high blood urea (common complication in end-stage renal failure).

Bone damage : Osteoporosis, osteomalacia, and bone fractures are common conditions in patients with end-stage chronic kidney failure due to mineral imbalance in the body.

Recognizing the warning signs of kidney failure, from changes in skin and blood pressure to urinary disorders or muscle aches and pains, can help detect the disease at an early stage.

Illustration: AI

Causes of kidney failure

Kidney failure can start suddenly or progress silently over a long period of time, depending on the cause.

With acute kidney failure, the triggering factors usually occur in a short time and the kidneys can recover function if treated promptly. Common causes include severe dehydration (due to prolonged diarrhea, vomiting), severe infection, trauma, blood loss or side effects from some medications. Meanwhile, chronic kidney failure usually progresses slowly over time and is divided into two main groups of causes.

Primary renal causes (originating from the kidney): Due to diseases that directly affect the kidneys. Such as glomerulonephritis, the kidneys are inflamed in the small filters (glomeruli), which can be caused by infection, autoimmune disease or unknown causes. This is also the leading cause of kidney failure. Congenital kidney disease, the kidneys are abnormal from birth.

Causes of secondary kidney disease (not originating from the kidney): This is another medical condition in the body that affects the kidneys. Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney failure worldwide . High blood pressure damages the blood vessels in the kidneys, reducing their ability to filter waste. Drug poisoning, some drugs (painkillers, antibiotics, etc.) can cause kidney damage when used for a long time or in high doses.

"If there are any suspicious symptoms such as edema, pale skin, prolonged fatigue or urinary disorders, patients should go to a medical facility early for examination and timely treatment to avoid dangerous complications such as acute kidney failure, cardiovascular damage or serious electrolyte disturbances," Dr. Huong recommended.

Stages of kidney failure

According to Dr. Huong, determining the correct stage helps doctors choose the appropriate treatment method and intervene promptly to slow the progression of the disease. The stages of kidney failure include:

Acute renal failure: Acute renal failure is not divided into stages like chronic renal failure, but is classified according to severity, based on serum creatinine index and urine output to assess the level of kidney damage. From there, the doctor will decide on the appropriate treatment direction.

Chronic kidney disease: Chronic kidney disease is divided into 5 stages, based on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This is an index that reflects the amount of blood that the kidneys filter through the glomerulus each minute. The lower the GFR, the more impaired the kidney function. When the GFR drops below 60 ml/minute - from stage 3 onwards, the patient is considered to have entered the stage. chronic renal failure

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bac-si-cac-dau-hieu-de-nhan-biet-som-suy-than-qua-thay-doi-da-tieu-hoa-185251105101240666.htm