Kidney health: Is mild back pain a sign of kidney disease? Doctor shares this and 5 other symptoms people often fail to relate to kidney troubles

Regular exercise and yoga can also help.

One of the most widespread health-related complaints in these times is back pain, and it is often associated with excessive time at the desk, improper posture, or slight muscle tension. However, not everything about back pain is equal. In other situations, it can be an indicator of even worse- something to do with kidney disease.

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Kidney pain, in contrast to normal muscle or joint pain, tends to be located in a deep, dull pained area, high in the back just below the rib cage on both sides of the spine. One distinction is that kidney pain does not generally change with position, whereas musculoskeletal pain generally improves or becomes more uncomfortable with changes in position or physical activity.

Many individuals do not realize that they have a kidney issue until the disease has progressed further, as they have fewer treatment choices available to them. The ability to notice the signs of early warning, and particularly, the ones that are frequently ignored, can be a life-saving factor.
In addition to Back Pain: Five Symptoms of Kidney Disease You Ignore.

The kidneys play a very important role in ensuring the appropriate balance of minerals and nutrients in the blood. This imbalance tends to manifest itself through the skin when they are not working well, leading to constant skin dryness and itching that hardly disappears despite the topical creams.

The impaired performance of the kidney also leads to a body accumulating toxins and impurities in the blood, and the patients feel unusually fatigued, weak, and unable to concentrate. Normal kidneys also secrete a hormone that helps the formation of red blood cells. In the event that this process is broken, anemia may occur worsening fatigue.

Fluid retention in the body occurs because failing kidneys are not able to regulate fluid and sodium levels. This usually causes the legs, ankles, feet, hands or even face to swell- changes that must never be overlooked.

One of the most obvious signs of kidney issues is changed urination patterns. Red flags are: a higher or lower frequency (especially at night), foaming or bubbling urine (which means leakage of proteins), blood in the urine, discomfort during urination.

Nausea, metallic taste in the mouth and lack of appetite due to accumulation of waste products in the body may occur. In the long run, it may help to lose weight and become malnourished, which undermines health further.

The problem with kidney disease is that in many cases, the symptoms manifest themselves when the disease is very advanced. Frequent health examinations, particularly in persons with increased risk, such as those having diabetes, high blood pressure, or those whose relatives have problems with the kidney, are important in early diagnosis.
Kidney disease does not necessarily yell at you. Rather, it progresses silently and has mild symptoms that can be readily ignored. The pain in the back, fatigue, swelling or alterations in the urinating process should not be overlooked. Early medical intervention not only can delay the development of kidney disease but can also increase the quality of life to a great extent.

Dr. Kshitij Raghuvanshi, Urologist, Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune

If any symptoms persist, please consult a medical health professional before adopting any advice

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment of any health concerns, including symptoms that may be related to kidney health.