Silent Kidney Disease 

Patient empowered Self-screening for Silent Kidney disease T

Introduction

Common (More than 200,000 cases per year in US)

often caused by hypertension, recurrent urinary infections, prostate enlargement and some have genetic causes and increases with age

Symptoms

Early stages show no symptoms and detected by blood and urine tests

When the disease progresses symptoms presented are:

• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Edema- swelling of feet and ankle
• Need to urinate more often, especially at night
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Decreased mental sharpness
• Problems with sleep
• Blood in urine
• Protein in urine
• Erectile dysfunction in men
• Twitching in the muscles and cramps
• Persistent itching
• Chest pain, if fluid builds up around the lining of the heart
• Shortness of breath is seen if fluid builds up in the lungs

When your kidneys are no longer able to filter out the waste from your blood, your body can become overloaded with toxins. With time, this can lead to renal failure that can be life-threatening if left unchecked.  

Some common signs  and  symptoms include: 

• a change in the frequency  and  quantity of urine you pass, especially at night (usually an increase at first) 

• Decreased urine output, although occasionally urine output remains normal. 
• blood in your urine (hematuria)  
• Fluid retention, causing  swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet. 
• Shortness of breath. 
• Fatigue. 

• Confusion. 
• Nausea. 
• Weakness. 

Discuss your symptoms with your doctor. These symptoms can also be caused by heart and lung conditions as well

Even  if you do not have any risk ,Adults aged ≥ 50 years and persons at increased risk for  kidney disease must be tested periodically with the routine physical exam

People who do  have other risk factors (hypertension, diabetes and family his tory fo kidney should be rescreened ( in general) yearly 

This is for general information only. Please check with your doctor