fatigue, swelling, puffy eyes: do you know the signs of kidney disease?

what are puffy eyes?

there are natural remedies for reducing puffy eyes, notes johns hopkins medicine . try a cold compress or frozen bag of vegetables over closed eyes for a few minutes to lessen inflammation and swelling by reducing blood flow. caffeine constricts blood vessels, so try eye creams with caffeine or chilled black tea bags. another option is patting on over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams that narrow blood vessels to reduce swelling (but be careful not to get the medication in your eyes).

signs and symptoms of kidney issues

kidney disease  refers to a group of conditions or disorders that reduce the ability to properly filter and eliminate waste. if the kidneys become damaged and are unable to remove toxins and excess salt from the blood, waste can accumulate and make a person sick.  according to the kidney foundation of canada , the key national volunteer organization in the country, kidney problems can occur suddenly or over longer periods of time.

the sudden loss of kidney function, usually from dehydration or blood loss, is referred to as acute kidney injury, while the gradual loss of function, from things such as high blood pressure or  diabetes , is known as chronic kidney disease. because chronic kidney disease starts slowly and exhibits few symptoms, it may not be diagnosed before much of the damage has been done. a person can lose more than 50 per cent of kidney function before symptoms appear.

common symptoms like puffy eyes vary depending on the cause and progression of the disease,  according to very well health . when the damage occurs suddenly, as in acute kidney injury, symptoms appear quickly and can include nausea, fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, swelling in the lower extremities, chest pain, confusion, seizures and a decrease in urination. with chronic kidney disease, loss of function progresses over a period of months or years and symptoms, when they appear, can include: persistent fatigue or weakness, loss of appetite, itchy skin, ammonia-smelling breath, swelling in the feet or ankles, frequent urination, blood in your urine, puffy eyes, trouble sleeping or concentrating, and muscle cramps.

the connection between puffy under eyes and kidneys shouldn’t be overlooked. the swelling, or edema, occurs when your body has too much fluid, suggesting your kidneys are not working properly. the main job of your kidneys is filtering to remove waste and extra fluid from your body, including from your blood, as the u.s. national kidney foundation notes : “your kidneys filter about 200 quarts of blood each day to make about 1 to 2 quarts of urine. the urine contains wastes and extra fluid. this prevents buildup of wastes and fluid to keep your body healthy.”

blood tests are done to look for the presence of waste products and determine how well the kidneys are filtering blood. getty images

prevention and management of kidney disease

healthy lifestyle habits are critical to prevention and stalling the progression of kidney disease. while there is no cure for chronic kidney disease, there are steps that can be taken to preserve kidney function for as long as possible.  according to the cleveland clinic , these include:

• keeping blood sugar under control, if you are diabetic
• avoiding painkillers and other medications that may worsen the disease
• keeping blood pressure under control
• consulting a dietitian, who may recommend limiting salt, potassium and protein intake, and incorporating “superfoods,” like acai berries, blueberries, cherries, root vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, tofu and fish
• quitting smoking
• exercising regularly
• maintaining a healthy weight

when to seek medical help

health-care professionals will take a patient’s medical history and conduct a physical exam when diagnosing kidney disease. because symptoms do not often emerge until after the damage is done, they also rely  on a few key tests :

• blood tests – to look for the presence of waste products and determine how well the kidneys are filtering blood
• urine tests – to make sure there is no blood in the urine or other signs of chronic disease
• imaging tests – ultrasounds, mris or ct scans may be used to detect any issues with the size or structure of the kidneys

one in 10 canadians are living with kidney disease, according to the kidney foundation of canada. getty images

support and resources for kidney health

around 1 in ten canadians,  or four million people , have kidney disease. the leading cause of the condition (at 38 per cent) is  diabetes  and 46 per cent of new patients are under the age of 65. more than 50,000 canadians are currently being treated for kidney failure and 75 per cent of the estimated 4,300 people on organ transplant lists are waiting for a kidney.

the  kidney foundation of canada  is a great place to start to learn more about the disease, including information on the latest news and research. the website also contains  a peer support page  that was designed to provide emotional support and other resources to people in need. you can connect with trained volunteers, many of whom are patients themselves, who will share their experiences.

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