Kidney Disease Management
Chronic kidney disease occurs when damaged kidneys can’t effectively filter waste products. This leads to toxin build-up in your body, resulting in various health issues. Its symptoms include water retention, high blood pressure, muscle cramps, and anemia. You may also notice these side effects [1-5]:
- Nail disorders
- Rashes or itching
- Bad breath
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Weight changes
- Gout
- Diarrhea
If you or someone you know has kidney disease, monitoring and managing these symptoms can significantly improve your quality of life.
Common Side Effects
Rash and itching
Kidney disease itching and rashes are side effects caused by toxins in the blood that the kidneys can’t flush out [2]. In some cases, the autoimmune disease lupus, which can cause skin rashes, may lead to kidney disease. The key difference between a lupus rash vs. rosacea inflammation is that lupus typically causes a butterfly-shaped rash on the face [6].
To manage kidney disease itching and rashes, maintain good skin hygiene, stay hydrated, and use prescribed medications or topical treatments [2].
Kidney disease nails
Kidney disease can affect your nails as nitrogen waste products build up in your body. You may develop half-and-half nails, also known as Lindsay’s nails, where the lower part is reddish-brown and the upper part is white. You may also notice white bands running across one or more nails, which is called Muehrcke’s nails [2].
If you notice these kidney disease-related nail changes, consult your doctor immediately [2].
Bad breath
Kidney disease can cause bad breath as nitrogen waste products accumulate in the blood. It can leave a metallic taste and an ammonia-like odor in your mouth. Poor kidney function also affects your saliva production and oral health, which can lead to kidney disease-associated bad breath [3].
Maintaining oral hygiene, staying hydrated, managing your diet, and following prescribed treatments for underlying kidney issues can help you manage bad breath [3].
Weight changes
Kidney disease and weight gain or loss go hand in hand. Damaged kidneys struggle to excrete water, leading to swelling as it accumulates in tissues. This water retention causes metabolic changes and unexpected weight gain. However, loss of appetite due to changes in your taste may cause weight loss [5].
You can manage your weight through exercise and a kidney-friendly diet with less salt and fluid intake [7].
Kidney disease-related hair loss
How can kidney disease cause hair loss? While kidney disease doesn’t directly affect your hair, it can trigger nutritional deficiencies. This along with persistent kidney disease itching can cause hair thinning or loss [8].
You can prevent kidney disease-related hair loss by treating nutritional deficiencies with a balanced diet and supplements. Also, consult your doctor for personalized treatments [8].
Fatigue
Impaired kidney function reduces the production of red blood cells, resulting in low hemoglobin levels and anemia. This condition prevents oxygen from reaching your tissues, causing fatigue and weakness [9].
Treating the underlying anemia will help you feel better. Your doctor may prescribe iron and vitamin supplements and red blood cell-stimulating medicines [9].
Gout
Kidney disease and gout can be interconnected. When kidneys can’t remove nitrogen waste products from your body, blood uric acid levels rise. This can lead to uric acid crystal deposits in joints, causing painful gout [4].
You can manage gout by staying hydrated and following a low-protein diet to prevent uric acid formation. You may need to regularly monitor your kidney function and take prescribed medicines to lower uric acid levels [4].
Diarrhea
Toxins and electrolyte imbalances in the body due to kidney disease may affect the digestive system and cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including kidney disease-induced diarrhea [10].
You can control diarrhea by drinking enough water, following a fiber- and probiotic-rich diet, and taking medications prescribed by your doctor [10].
Managing Other Common Symptoms
Diet and exercise
Here are some guidelines for managing kidney disease symptoms:
- Limit sodium: Reduce your salt intake as it helps control blood pressure and reduce water retention in your body [3, 7].
- Manage protein intake: Excessive protein can strain weakened kidneys as they filter the waste produced during protein digestion. So, eat the right amount of protein to prevent further kidney damage. Consult a dietitian to understand your ideal protein intake [3, 7].
- Reduce potassium and phosphorus: High levels of potassium and phosphorus can cause rare kidney diseases. Avoid foods high in potassium like bananas to prevent hyperkalemia, which causes nausea, numbness, and weakness. Also, limit phosphorus-rich foods like dairy and nuts, as excess phosphorus can weaken bones [3, 7].
- Exercise regularly: Exercise, like walking, swimming, or yoga, will help you maintain overall health, manage weight, and improve blood pressure [3, 11].
Regular monitoring of protein in urine
Doctors recommend monitoring protein levels in urine if you have kidney issues. High levels of protein in urine or proteinuria can indicate worsening kidney function. Regular monitoring through urine tests can help you identifyincreased protein levels for prompt treatment with better outcomes [12].
Monitor Your Kidney Function With Diagnox
Understanding the side effects of kidney disease empowers you to manage your symptoms effectively for a better quality of life. Diet, exercise, and regular health monitoring can make a significant difference [3].
At home, you can use Diagnox Urine Protein Test Strips to check for proteinuria, which is an early sign of kidney disease. This can help you monitor your kidney function and detect kidney disease before it worsens. If you're unsure about your symptoms, consult your physician.
To learn more about improving your kidney health, visit Diagnox's health blog.
