Are Your Kidneys Working Properly?

Updated on September 6, 2019

Located just below the rib cage, two bean-shaped organs, just about the size of a human fist are the most vital organs in the human body. They are responsible for filtering out 120 to 150 quarts of blood daily to maintain a stable composition of blood. If this is not enough to give you a hint about the importance of the kidneys here are a few more reasons to pamper your kidney:

  • Kidneys help maintain the right amount of water in the body.
  • Kidneys help maintain the adequate levels of electrolytes and various minerals in the blood.
  • They are responsible for regulating several bodily functions such as the production of red blood cells and maintaining blood pressure.
  • And, above all, renal failure leads to death.

This might be enough for you to understand why it is important to take care of your kidneys. Studies show, the lifestyle that we follow has resulted in an increased risk of kidney diseases than ever before. On average, approximately 10% of adults develop Chronic Kidney Disease. Therefore, it becomes imperative to keep a check on the functioning of the kidneys right from the young age. It is important to look for abnormalities in kidney functioning as well as other parameters associated with it, by undergoing regular master health check-up from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital Delhi.

Signs that you are suffering from Kidney Disorder:

Usually, kidney diseases are silent killers. You don’t realize that you are sick until the condition becomes serious and irreversible.  However, paying attention to certain changes in the body can help in timely diagnosis of kidney related ailments. These are:

1. You always feel dull, lethargic and tired

Kidney malfunction builds-up impurities and toxins in the blood and leads to anaemia. This further leads to dullness, weakness, fatigue and inability to concentrate.

2. Your skin is becoming itchy and dry

When kidneys are unable to remove toxins and other waste products from the blood they lead to mineral and bone diseases. Such diseases are first reflected on the skin, thereby causing dry and itchy skin.

3. You are facing trouble in sleeping

Healthy kidneys filter out toxins completely from the body, but when they start leaving toxins in the blood it makes it difficult to get a sound sleep. Moreover, chronic kidney diseases have been reported to cause sleep apnea.

4. You feel a frequent urge to urinate

While a frequent urge to urinate is usually a sign of urinary tract infection, in certain cases, it may also be a sign of kidney malfunctioning. It is thus important to speak to your doctor if you face any such symptom.

5. And, your urine is cloudy and foamy

Cloudy and foamy urine indicates the presence of protein in the urine. Thus, in case you see excessive bubble formation in urine, especially if you require to flush several times before going away, it’s time to consult a doctor.

6. Muscle cramping is a usual thing

Unhealthy kidneys cause electrolyte imbalances in the body. As a result low calcium and phosphorous level in the body contribute to muscle cramping.

7. Your appetite is decreasing

A decrease in appetite is a general symptom for any disease and the same holds true for kidney diseases too. Though the cause is not clinically established, toxin build-up may be the reason.

8. There is persistent puffiness around your eyes

Persistent puffiness around the eyes is a sign of protein leakage in urine due to decreased kidney function.

9. You experience swelling in feet and ankles

Malfunctioning of kidneys leads to sodium retention in the body, causing swelling in ankles and feet.

10. There are traces of blood in your urine

Healthy kidneys retain blood cells in the body while filtering out the wastes. However, damaged kidneys tend to leak blood cells in the urine, causing the appearance of blood in urine.

Secrets to Kidney Health:

While taking regular master health check-up is one of the many essential things to maintain kidney health, here are a few more things that you can do for your kidneys:

  1. Drink plenty of water, but font overhydrate
  2. Maintain a healthy dietary intake
  3. Start exercising
  4. Keep an eye on your blood pressure and blood glucose level
  5. Administer over the counter medicines cautiously
  6. Bid adieu to smoke cigarettes, cigars etc.

Wrapping It Up

Kidneys play a major role in maintaining overall fluid balance, filtering minerals and regulating several bodily functions. Any problem with the functioning of these bean-shaped organs may lead to severe health complications or even death. Therefore, it is suggested that everyone should get the functionality of kidneys checked at least once in a year. Having well-functioning kidneys is important to stay healthy, active and energetic.  

Various preventive health packages such as master health check-up are offered by various labs and online portals which can be availed at affordable prices. These comprehensive packages not only provide check-ups pertaining to the functioning of the kidneys but also that of the other major organs in the body.

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