Kidneys work nonstop to filter toxins, balance fluids, and keep everything in your body running like clockwork. But what happens when they start signaling trouble? Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a way of creeping in silently, with symptoms so subtle they’re easy to overlook. Missing these early red flags could pave the way for serious health complications later on.

 

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A 2024 study by Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey as cited in the journal BMC Pediatrics, 4.9 per cent of children and adolescents in India have kidney problems. These issues can gradually worsen over months or years, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Kidney disease can be quite stealthy, often disguising itself with symptoms that people mistake for other conditions. Many individuals don’t realise there’s an issue until it’s too late—when the kidneys are already failing or there’s a significant amount of protein in the urine. This is why a staggering 90 per cent of people with chronic kidney disease remain unaware that they have it.

 

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Kidney Disease Risk Factors: Are You at Risk?

Your kidneys might be small, but they’re absolute powerhouses, keeping your body balanced and healthy. However, certain factors can put these vital organs under strain, increasing your risk of kidney disease. 

So, who’s most at risk?

• High Blood Pressure or Diabetes: These are the leading causes of kidney damage worldwide. High blood pressure puts extra strain on the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys, which can weaken them over time. Similarly, diabetes can damage these blood vessels and the filters in your kidneys due to high sugar levels in the blood. Both conditions, if not managed well, can slowly lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• Family History of Kidney Disease: If kidney problems run in your family, your chances of developing them are higher. Genetics play a role in how your kidneys function and their susceptibility to certain conditions, so it’s important to be extra cautious if you have a family history.
• Lifestyle Choices: What you eat and drink has a direct impact on your kidneys. A diet packed with salt and processed foods can lead to high blood pressure, while not drinking enough water makes it harder for your kidneys to flush out toxins. Smoking reduces blood flow to the kidneys, and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration and increase kidney strain.
• Overuse of Painkillers: Medications like ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are great for occasional pain relief but are harmful if used too often or for long periods. They can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, causing long-term damage if misused.
• Other Health Conditions: Obesity and heart disease increase the workload on your kidneys, raising the risk of damage. Recurrent urinary infections can scar the kidneys and reduce their ability to function. 

While some risk factors are out of your control, there’s plenty you can do to reduce your chances.

 

Who Should Get Tested?

If you have risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of kidney disease, it’s essential to prioritise regular check-ups. Other groups at higher risk include people over 60, those who are overweight, or anyone who’s had repeated urinary tract infections.

Related story: Could You Have Diabetes And Not Know?

Kidney Disease Testing: Take Charge of Your Health

The tricky thing about kidney disease? It often shows no symptoms until it’s serious. That’s why testing is essential—it’s the only way to catch it early and protect your health.

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Here’s how testing works:

• Blood test: This checks your creatinine levels, which reveal how well your kidneys are filtering waste.
• Urine test: A simple test to detect protein or blood in your urine, both of which can signal trouble.
• Imaging tests: Sometimes, your doctor might use an ultrasound or CT scan to take a closer look at your kidneys.
• Biopsy (if needed): In rare cases, a tiny piece of kidney tissue might be examined for more details.

Keep your kidney health on track by booking a blood test today. Click here to book a blood test. 

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10 Signs of Chronic Kidney Disease

Kidney disease can progress quietly, but your body often sends out warning signs. Here’s a more detailed explanation of the symptoms to help you understand what to watch for:

1. Fatigue and weakness: Your kidneys play a vital role in filtering toxins and waste from your blood. When they’re not functioning well, waste builds up, leaving you feeling constantly tired, weak, and mentally sluggish. Additionally, kidney disease can cause anaemia, as the kidneys produce a hormone (erythropoietin) that helps make red blood cells. Moreover, low red blood cell counts can worsen fatigue.

2. Swelling in ankles, feet, or hands: Kidneys regulate your body’s fluid balance. When they don’t work properly, excess fluid can build up, causing swelling in your lower extremities or hands. This puffiness is often a sign of water retention or protein leakage from the kidneys.

3. Foamy or bloody urine: Foamy urine is a sign of protein leakage, often indicating kidney damage. Blood in the urine could be due to several causes, such as kidney infections, stones, or even more serious conditions like kidney or bladder cancer. Either symptom should not be ignored.

4. Changes in urination: Kidneys control urine production, so any noticeable changes—frequent urination, especially at night, difficulty starting or stopping urination, or reduced output—could signal a problem. These symptoms often occur in the early stages of kidney disease.

5. Persistent puffiness around the eyes: If you notice swelling or puffiness around your eyes that doesn’t go away, it may be due to protein leaking from damaged kidneys into your urine. This symptom can appear even before other signs, so it’s worth paying attention to.

6. Muscle cramps: Kidneys regulate essential electrolytes like calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Imbalances in these minerals can lead to painful muscle cramps, spasms, or even twitching.

7. Weight loss and poor appetite: A build-up of waste products in the blood, known as uremia, can lead to nausea, a lack of appetite, and unexplained weight loss. This is often a sign of advanced kidney disease.

8. Erectile dysfunction: Kidney disease can affect blood flow, hormone levels, and overall health, contributing to erectile dysfunction in men. Poor kidney function can lower testosterone levels, reduce libido, and impact sexual performance.

9. Dry, itchy skin: Your kidneys help maintain a balance of nutrients and minerals like calcium and phosphorus in the body. When kidney function declines, these minerals can accumulate, leading to dry, flaky, and itchy skin. It could also be a sign of mineral and bone disorders, which are common in kidney disease.

10. High blood pressure & shortness of breath: High blood pressure is both a cause and a result of kidney disease, creating a vicious cycle. Additionally, failing kidneys can cause fluid build-up in the lungs, leading to shortness of breath. Anaemia from kidney disease can also reduce oxygen levels.

Related story: Everything You Need to Know About Your Liver

Kidney disease often develops gradually, making early detection crucial. While many of the signs above might be missed or mistaken for other conditions, they could be a warning that your kidneys need attention. If you experience any of these symptoms—especially if you have risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of kidney disease—it's important to get tested. Early intervention can help delay the progression of the disease and protect your kidney health for years to come. 

Need all your wellness solutions in one place? A whole new world awaits just a click away.

Regular health checks are essential for everyone, but they are particularly important for individuals who are at risk of or already have chronic kidney disease. Taking regular health checks can help detect kidney disease at an early stage when it is easier to manage and treat. With the UR.Life HRA, we help you to invest in your well-being through seamless interventions and targeted medical treatments. Our holistic wellness approach caters to all aspects of your well-being. We ensure that you can bring your whole self to work.
With our medical professionals by your side, routine health check-ups will never be an issue. Advanced laboratory technologies back UR.Life’s Occupational Health Centers (OHC), and with highly qualified experts/technicians, we’re committed to delivering trusted and quality recommendations, modifications and advice to you.