The kidneys play an indispensable role in our lives, silently filtering blood, eliminating toxins, and regulating fluid balance. But when the kidneys start to strike, the body sends out a series of signals, especially through our urine.
There is an old saying, "When kidney failure comes, urinate prophets", this is not alarmist, but the conclusion of years of observation in the medical community. Today, let's take a look at those abnormal urine signals that may indicate kidney failure.
1. Early signs of kidney failure: abnormal urination
Friends with renal insufficiency, your urine may have already been "making a small report". Abnormal urination is often the first step when the kidneys begin to complain. These signals can be subtle or obvious, but none can be ignored.
First of all, we have to understand that one of the jobs of the kidneys is to regulate the production of urine. When kidney function begins to decline, their ability to process fluids is affected.
At this time, the color, amount, frequency and even smell of urine may change. For example, if you find yourself waking up several times at night to the toilet and urinating a lot, be aware that this could be a sign that your kidneys are less able to concentrate.
2. Increased nocturia: a sign of impaired renal concentrating function
When it comes to increased nocturia, this problem is not uncommon. Normally, a person's urine output at night is less than during the day, because the body's metabolism is slower at night, and the kidneys will reduce urine production accordingly.
But if you find yourself having to run to the toilet several times a night, and each time it's "a full pot," that's not a small feat, which means your kidneys may not be reabsorbing water back into the bloodstream.
There is a medical indicator that the nocturia volume exceeds 750 ml, which is already a warning sign that cannot be ignored. This can be a symptom of interstitial kidney disease or chronic glomerulonephritis, both of which impair the kidneys' concentrating function. To put it simply, it's the kidneys' ability to "save water" that is out of order, causing you to urinate a lot at night.
At this time, you may need to do a simple test to see if your urine output is really excessive at night. If so, then you have to go to the hospital to find a professional doctor, so as not to let the kidney "protest" turn into a "strike".
3. Oliguria or anuria: a warning of decreased excretion capacity of the kidneys
When it comes to oliguria or anuria, this is another important sign of kidney failure. A normal adult's daily urine output should be between 800 and 2000 ml, and if the daily urine output is less than 400 ml for a long time, it is medically called oliguria.
Anuria, on the other hand, refers to the passage of little or no urine for 24 hours, which is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
Oliguria or anuria may be a manifestation of acute or chronic renal failure. Acute renal failure may result in a sudden loss of filtration and excretion function of the kidneys due to severe dehydration, drug intoxication, acute nephritis, etc.
Chronic renal failure is a process of gradual loss of kidney function, which may be caused by long-term chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
It is important to note that oliguria or anuria is not always due to kidney disease, but can sometimes be due to urinary tract obstruction or other causes.
Therefore, when this happens, it is necessary to evaluate the filtering function of the kidneys through blood and urine tests, check blood creatinine, urea nitrogen, and other indicators to determine the specific cause.
4. Proteinuria: a clear sign of kidney damage
Speaking of proteinuria, this is the "calling card" of kidney disease. Normally, healthy people's urine contains little protein because the kidney's membrane prevents protein loss. But when this line of defense in the kidneys is broken, protein is leaked out of the urine, which is called proteinuria.
The presence of proteinuria usually means that the filter membranes of the kidneys are damaged. This condition can occur in a variety of kidney diseases, including nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, diabetic nephropathy, etc.
Depending on the amount of protein in the urine, proteinuria can be classified as micro (30-300 mg/day), mild (300-1000 mg/day), and severe (>1000 mg/day).
The diagnosis of proteinuria is not complicated and can be detected by urine tests. Detection of protein, particularly persistent proteinuria, on urine tests usually requires further evaluation of renal function.
Your doctor may recommend a 24-hour urine protein test or a kidney ultrasound to assess the extent of kidney damage.
5. Hematuria: a possible signal of hereditary kidney disease
When urine is red, many people's first reaction is panic. Hematuria, where blood is mixed with the urine, is definitely a medical concern.
Hematuria can be caused by kidney diseases such as nephritis, kidney stones, or kidney tumors. In some cases, hematuria may also be a sign of an inherited kidney disease, such as polycystic kidney disease.
The presence of hematuria is not always visible to the naked eye and sometimes requires microscopic examination to detect. Whether hematuria is visible macroscopically or microscopically, further tests are needed to determine the cause.
Your doctor may recommend urine cytology, CT scan of the kidney, or kidney biopsy to determine the specific cause of the hematuria.
Hematuria may be the first symptom in some familial kidney diseases, so hematuria should be a cause for concern if there is a family history of kidney disease. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent further deterioration of kidney function.
6. Prevention of kidney failure: the importance of lifestyle and regular check-ups
Prevention is particularly important in the face of the threat of kidney failure. A healthy lifestyle, such as eating a reasonable diet, exercising moderately, controlling weight, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, plays an important role in preventing kidney disease.
For people with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes, it is essential to control blood sugar and blood pressure. For example, keeping blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg and blood sugar within the normal range can effectively slow down the decline in kidney function.
Regular check-ups are also an important means of preventing kidney failure. Abnormal kidney function can be detected early by regularly checking blood creatinine, urea nitrogen, urine protein and other indicators. For individuals with a family history of kidney disease, special renal function tests should be performed regularly.
7. Timely intervention for renal failure
The importance of abnormal urination as a signal of kidney failure, and timely intervention, is essential to protect kidney health. When any of these urination abnormalities occur, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible for a comprehensive renal function evaluation.
At the same time, we should raise awareness of kidney disease, especially individuals with a family history, and should pay more attention to their own kidney health.
Through these measures, we can prepare for the future of kidney failure and protect this obscure but vital organ. After all, healthy kidneys are what keep our body running like a sophisticated machine.
summary
In kidney failure, several key signals such as increased nocturia, oliguria or anuria, proteinuria, and hematuria may occur. But the signs of kidney failure don't stop there, and include a number of other physiological changes.
These changes may not be as immediate as those previously mentioned, but they are just as worth our attention.