By Dr Tang Yinqian, China Medical Team in NRH of Solomon Islands
Dr Tang Yinqian, Medical Master, Nephrologist, the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University (GMU)
GREETINGS from Dr Tang Yinqian, the nephrologist of the Third China Medical in Solomon Islands, has been working at the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University for 5 years and specialises in treating kidney diseases such as acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease and managing maintenance hemodialysis patients.
Kidneys, the core organs of us, play important roles in filtering waste from blood, excreting surplus water, and keeping the electrolyte balance of our bodies. However, the symptoms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are insignificant and easy to overlook at the beginning. You might not realize that you have kidney disease until the condition is advanced. In the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), you might have a few signs or symptoms, such as backache, swelling, blood urine, foamy urine and urine frequency during the night. Due to the subtle signs of early-stage CKD, we need to do check-ups regularly to prevent and diagnose it early to find out potential health risks. Please watch out for these alerting signs:
1. Backache:
Backache is a common sign of the early stage of CKD. We all know that kidneys are located on both sides of our waist, the backache or discomforts happen when kidneys are inflamed or with renal calculi, renal cysts, or other issues. Additionally, spinal issues and strain of lumbar muscles also present with backache. If you have backache often, please see doctors promptly to rule it out.
2. Oedema (swelling)
Oedema is a typical sign of kidney disease and most patients present with face or lower legs swelling symmetrically. But kidney disease, liver disease, endocrine disease, heart disease and malnutrition will also cause oedema and it will be caused by some rare factors like certain medications, allergies, connective tissue diseases, and primary and functional oedema as well. Therefore, we need to get medical help timely to find out the exact cause.
3. Blood and foamy urine
The presence of blood in the urine (hematuria) or foamy urine can indicate kidney problems. Hematuria may result from urinary infections, tumours, or kidney conditions, while foamy urine may signal early-stage kidney disease due to excess protein residues.
4. Nocturia (Increased Nighttime Urination)
Nocturia (Increased urination at night) is also a common symptom of CKD. Under normal circumstances, people urinate less frequently at night. Experiencing frequent urination at night, especially if the urine output is substantial and more than 750ml, can suggest kidney issues, called nocturia. Monitoring and assessing nocturia can help identify potential kidney problems.
In conclusion, understanding these early symptoms of chronic kidney disease and undergoing regular check-ups are crucial for maintaining kidney health. By being proactive, individuals can detect and manage kidney issues early, thus safeguarding their overall well-being. Let us start now to pay attention to kidney health.
（Translated by HUANG BAILIN, International Office, Guizhou Medical University）
