Kidney diseases often develop silently and do not cause significant discomfort for a long time. However, the body still sends alarming signals—from morning swelling and back pain to changes in urine color and frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom.
Urologist-oncologist Vigen Malkhasyan explained which symptoms may indicate serious kidney problems and why they should not be ignored.
Blood in urine (hematuria). A reddish or brownish tint to urine is a serious cause for concern. This may indicate a bladder tumor. However, there is no need to panic in advance, the doctor explains. The cause may also be benign conditions, or sometimes the consumption of certain foods. But such changes cannot be ignored.
Morning swelling. Swelling of the eyelids and puffiness of the face immediately after waking up is a classic sign that the kidneys are not coping with fluid elimination or are losing important protein. Unlike "heart" swelling, which appears in the legs by evening, "kidney" swelling is noticeable in the morning.
Urination disorders ("urological insomnia"). Frequent urges, unbearable urges up to incontinence, nighttime awakenings, difficulty urinating, and a weak stream are direct signs of pathology. In men, this is most often associated with prostate adenoma.
Quantitative changes in urine. The volume of urine produced is an important diagnostic indicator that is rarely paid attention to.
Back pain. In glomerulonephritis, discomfort usually occurs on both sides. In acute pyelonephritis, there is intense pain on the affected kidney side. In kidney stone disease, the pain may radiate to the abdomen, groin, or along the ureter.
The most striking sign is acute unbearable pain when the ureter is blocked (most often by a stone). "It is extremely important to understand: even if the pain subsides, one must immediately consult a urologist to identify the cause," emphasized Malkhasyan.
According to specialists, early detection of kidney diseases significantly increases the chances of avoiding severe complications and maintaining quality of life, writes bb.lv. Even symptoms that seem insignificant—fatigue, swelling, or changes in urination—may be a reason for examination. Doctors remind that when such signs appear, it is better not to self-medicate and to consult a urologist or nephrologist in a timely manner.
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