Kidneys are the filters which remove the toxins from blood and retain its essential components in the body. But in conditions of improper functioning of the kidneys, the essential substances may be filtered out and the toxic substances deposited in the body. An imbalance in the functioning of the kidneys causes accumulation of toxic materials in the body and this condition is known as a toxic kidney. This is why the serum creatinine and urea are seen to be increased in people with an improper kidney function. Urea is a toxic byproduct that is usually excreted out of the body, but when retained in the body, it leads to a toxic kidney.
What is a toxic kidney?
The signs of a toxic kidney are categorized into two:
1. The early signs that occur initially when the kidneys begin to malfunction.
2. The later signs that occur when the malfunction is advanced and more toxins are deposited in the body. Early signs of kidney malfunction include: 1. In the initial stages, there is a metallic taste in the mouth and everything one eats tastes like a metal in the mouth. 2. A strong pungent smell of ammonia on breathing out or speaking. This strong smell of ammonia may be felt from the mouth and nose.
3. Swelling in both the feet. The swelling is a pitting edema that dips in when we press a finger on it and then returns back to the swollen state in 3 to 4 seconds. This occurs due to the accumulation of fluid in the spaces between the tissues.
4. Swelling below the eyes with puffiness of the face. Such swelling may also be seen due to various other conditions and allergies too. Hence, the swelling below the eyes when seen in conjunction with the other signs mentioned above may be suspected to be due to an underlying kidney disease.
5. Frothy urine. This happens due to excess amounts of proteins that are filtered out by an abnormal kidney. Albumin, which is the fluid portion of blood, is a protein which may be filtered out in excess by the kidneys and cause frothing of the urine.
The signs of advanced kidney disease are:
1. Deposition of salt in the regions of excess sweat such as forehead, cheeks, or sides of neck. This is called uremic frost. When the kidney does not function well, urea is increased in blood and is excreted through the sweat. This sticks to the skin when the sweat is evaporated to form the uremic frost. Many people who have severe kidney diseases and are yet to start dialysis may have increased concentration of urea in blood and they show this sign of uremic frost.
2. A very high blood pressure. This may occur in two ways. Kidneys have a very important part in controlling the blood pressure and with an improper kidney function, the BP is found to be increased excessively. Also, due to the increased toxins in the blood, the heart has difficulty in pumping the blood and thereby the blood pressure is seen to increase in the later stages of kidney disease.
3. Excessive palpitation while climbing stairs or walking. This may be due to several reasons. It may be due to the increased blood pressure. It may also be due to the increased amounts of toxins like urea and ammonia in blood, which cause distress to the heart and lungs leading to excessive palpitation, shortness of breath and discomfort from even slight exertion due to walking or climbing. With improper kidney functions, our hemoglobin may gradually reduce and when we do a blood test, we find hemoglobin to be less than 10 or 8. This too leads to excessive palpitation from slight straining.
4. The density of urine is seen to increase and the urine output will not be in proportion to the water intake. The urine passed will be strong and hazy and it may be dark and concentrated when seen through a transparent glass in cases of advanced kidney disease.
5. Ketoacidosis due to increased toxins. Ketoacidosis is a condition where the ketone bodies like acetone in the blood increase excessively and the pH becomes excessively acidic. The body is unable to manage a high acidic pH of blood, which leads to symptoms like lack of concentration, headache, dizziness, and confusion, speaking unrelated things when asked about something. It may appear as if the patient is losing consciousness or having memory loss. There may be nausea, vomiting, smell of ammonia from the mouth, excessive stomach ache, pain in the lower back, palpitation on even walking a short distance, body ache, and excessive weakness. These are all symptoms of ketoacidosis.\
Early detection of the kidney disease is the key to better chances of cure and recovery to a completely normal state. Thus, identifying the above-mentioned signs and symptoms and appropriate investigations and management would aid in greater chances of recovery to normalcy in conditions of kidney diseases.