Kidneys are vital organs responsible for filtering waste and toxins from the blood. Signs of kidney problems can be seen in urine.
Kidneys regulate electrolyte balance and produce hormones that are important for healthy bones and blood. When the kidneys have problems, these functions cannot be carried out properly. There are various signs and symptoms that can appear, including changes in urine.
Dark yellow, brown, or even red urine may be a symptom of kidney failure. You may need to talk to your doctor if your urine color is unusual and you don’t know the reason.
“A urine test is the simplest and most reliable test. However, this must be done in a laboratory,” explained Dr. Parlindungan Siregar, SpPD-KGH, from the Kidney and Hypertension Division, Department of Internal Medicine, FKUI, as reported by detikHealth.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 9 out of 10 people with kidney disease don’t even realize they have it. And in the early stages of kidney failure, there are few, if any, signs.
As kidney disease progresses, in addition to changes in urine color, there may be other symptoms of kidney failure. Quoting from Healthlinehere are the characteristics of the urine of people with kidney problems.
Characteristics of the urine of people with kidney problems
1. The color of urine changes
The urine of people with healthy kidneys is usually bright yellow. This color is caused by urobilin, a yellow pigment produced from the breakdown of hemoglobin.
If your urine is dark yellow, orange, or even red, this could be a sign that your kidneys are not functioning properly. This abnormal color can be caused by:
- Blood in the urine: Hematuria can occur due to damage to the glomerulus, the small filter in the kidney.
- Protein in urine: Proteinuria can occur when the kidneys cannot filter protein properly.
- Bilirubin in urine: Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced from the breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin in the urine can indicate problems with the liver or kidneys.
“The urine of people with kidney problems usually changes color to red or like Coca-Cola. There is a possibility that there is blood and the color becomes cloudy because of the possibility of infection. It can also become foamy if there is protein leaking,” said Dr. ANGKAL D Situmorang, SP.PD-KGH, kidney expert who is also Director of MRCCC Siloam Hospital.
2. Frequent urination
When the kidneys cannot filter water properly, the body will try to excrete excess water through urine. This can cause nocturia or frequent urination at night. Some people even experience polyuria, urinating more often than usual, up to 8 times per day.
3. Urination feels painful
If you feel pain or burning when urinating, this could be a sign of kidney problems. Maybe you could experience a urinary tract infection (UTI), which is an infection in any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys.
You may also experience kidney stones. Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys.
4. Foamy urine
The presence of foam in the urine can indicate protein in the urine or proteinuria. This can cause foamy urine. However, it could be because the urine flow rate is high so that it flows quickly and produces foam.
5. The smell of urine is strong
The urine of people with healthy kidneys usually does not have a strong odor. If your urine smells like rotten, it’s possible there’s a bacterial infection.
If it smells fishy, it could indicate the presence of protein in the urine. And if the aroma is strong, it can indicate dehydration or metabolic problems.
6. Small amount of urine
When the kidneys cannot filter water properly, the amount of urine produced will decrease. This is called oliguria. Oliguria can be a sign of kidney failure.
Kidney failure is a condition where the kidneys lose their ability to function properly. A small amount of urine can also indicate that you are experiencing dehydration or lack of water intake.
7. Bloody urine
The presence of blood in the urine can be a sign of serious kidney problems, such as:
- Glomerulonephritis: Glomerulonephritis is inflammation of the glomerulus.
- Kidney stones: Kidney stones can scratch the urinary tract and cause blood in the urine.
- Kidney cancer: Kidney cancer can cause blood in the urine.
It is important to remember that not everyone with kidney problems will experience all of the above characteristics. If you have any of the characteristics above, it is important to immediately consult a doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Tips for maintaining kidney health
- Drink enough water. Drinking water helps the kidneys remove waste and toxins from the body.
- Consume healthy and balanced food. Choose foods that are rich in fruit, vegetables and protein. Limit consumption of salt, saturated fat and sugar.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise helps maintain blood pressure and blood sugar which are important for kidney health.
- Avoid smoking. Smoking can damage the kidneys.
- Control blood pressure and blood sugar. High blood pressure and diabetes can damage the kidneys.
By maintaining kidney health, you can help prevent kidney disease and improve your quality of life.
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2024-03-30 14:50:55
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