Kidney damage can lead to a host of symptoms, including fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions so it is important to see a doctor to determine if kidney damage has occurred. Early diagnosis and treatment helps prevent more serious problems from developing. The experienced providers at Iowa Kidney Physicians in Des Moines, IA, treat kidney damage.
Kidney Conditions
Kidney damage could be due to various kidney problems, such as kidney stones or chronic kidney disease. Other kidney conditions that can develop include kidney cancer, polycystic kidney disease, and glomerulonephritis. Kidney damage can lead to loss of function over time. If not detected and treated early, long term loss of function could eventually lead to irreversible damage and kidney failure.
Symptoms of Kidney Problems
Several symptoms can develop as a result of kidney damage or a specific condition, such as chronic kidney disease. Developing any of these symptoms does not necessarily mean a person has kidney damage since the same symptoms can also be due to another type of illness. However, it is best to see a doctor right away to diagnose the underlying condition causing the symptoms. Easy detection and treatment of kidney problems helps prevent the condition from progressing and leading to kidney failure.
Some signs of possible kidney damage include:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Weakness or fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping
- Urinating less or more often
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Severe or sharp pain in the side and back
- Swelling of the feet and ankles
- Decline in mental sharpness
- High blood pressure
- Muscle cramps
- Itchy, dry skin
- Fever and chills
A loss of kidney function due to damage could also result in shortness of breath and chest pain. Shortness of breath can develop if fluid builds up in the lungs, while chest pain could occur if there is fluid build up around the lining of the heart.
Treating Kidney Damage
The highly skilled providers at our offices in Des Moines, IA, treat kidney damage due to all types of conditions. The type of treatment needed depends on various factors, such as severity of symptoms and the specific kidney condition being treated. Treatments for kidney damage and kidney diseases could include medications or surgery. More serious conditions could require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
See a doctor promptly if you are experiencing certain signs of kidney damage, such as urinating more or less often than usual, loss of appetite, or fatigue and weakness. For the treatment of kidney damage in Des Moines, IA, contact Iowa Kidney Physicians at (515) 336-6557 for the Methodist Plaza office or at (515) 243-3161 for the Riverpoint location.