Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as an abnormal kidney structure or function lasting at least three months, adversely affecting health. The early stages of CKD often present no specific symptoms. If individuals overlook warning signs, by the time discomfort becomes significant, kidney function has typically deteriorated severely, often nearing the point of requiring dialysis.

Dr. Lang Thai Kiet, a nephrology specialist at National Cheng Kung University Hospital in Taiwan, indicates that when kidneys encounter problems, the body emits signals. Individuals should pay particular attention to the following signs:

Fatigue and lethargy: When kidney function is poor, the accumulation of urea toxins in the blood, combined with anemia, can lead to unusual exhaustion.

Swollen ankles in the evening: This symptom is often mistaken for excessive water intake or a diet high in salt. However, it may indicate that the kidneys' ability to excrete water is diminishing.

Foamy urine: If urine shows a persistent layer of foam, it carries a high risk of being a sign of proteinuria (protein in the urine).

Frequent nighttime urination: An increased frequency of waking up to urinate at night reflects a reduced ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine.

Abnormally reduced urine output: This sign indicates a problem with the kidneys' filtering function.

Early-stage kidney disease often has no symptoms. Illustration: OMH

For early kidney disease detection, Dr. Pham Thanh Tong, Head of Nephrology at Dong Nguyen General Hospital, recommends two simple check-up packages at specialist clinics:

Blood test: To measure blood creatinine levels.

Urine test: To check the protein-creatinine ratio in urine.

High-risk groups, including individuals with diabetes, hypertension, a family history of kidney disease, or those who abuse anti-inflammatory painkillers long-term, must pay attention to related symptoms.

Furthermore, these individuals need to proactively undergo more specialized examinations and effectively manage the 'three highs': high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high blood fat. This proactive approach helps prevent delayed treatment, which can worsen the condition and accelerate kidney function decline.

My Y (According to Yahoo TW)