Early Kidney Damage Symptoms in Legs and Hands You Should Never Ignore

Discover the 7 early kidney damage symptoms in legs and hands that you should never ignore. Learn how swelling, cramps, skin changes, and numbness could signal poor kidney health.

Kidney disease is known as a silent killer as it progresses slowly and does not manifest itself with evident symptoms until the kidney problem becomes serious. When kidneys lose their normal functioning, there is an accumulation of waste and excess fluid in the body which manifests in a number of visible symptoms. Amazingly, some of the first signs of kidney damage are evident in your legs, feet, hands, and arms.

In this article we cover the top 7 signs of kidney damage to the legs and hands to keep an eye out so that your kidneys are not giving up trying to clear the blood of wastes and fluid lubrication.

Unmistakable Leg and Hand Kidney Damage Signs

1. Abnormally swollen (edema)

A common problem which is rooted into excessive standing or salty food is that it does not always cause swelling of feet, ankles or hands. Fluid and sodium retention that accompanies kidney dysfunction tends to make shoes and rings fit tighter. However permanent swelling requires one to go to a doctor.

2. Cold Hands and Feet

Feelings of cold hands and feet even during warm weather may be associated with low blood circulation as a result of kidney trouble. Slower functioning kidneys inhibit the production of red blood cells, limiting the action of delivering oxygen to the body leading to consistent coldness.

3. Dry, Itchy and Flaky Skin

Itchy skin legs and arms may seem harmless enough but might be an indicator of kidney problems. Kidneys ensure that the balance of the minerals such as calcium and phosphorus is maintained. The breakdown of this balance causes the skin to become dry, irritated, and flaky and causes constant itching.

4. Muscle Cramps

The cramps of legs, hands or arms can be common due to the unbalancing of electrolytes as a sign of kidney disease. Low-Calcium and high-phosphorus can lead to muscle cramps especially in the resting/night time.

5. Numbness or Tingling(Pins and Needles)

Pain after second, as well as burning or numbing sensation in the hands and feet could be a consequence of failing kidney functions not being able to remove toxins through the bloodstream. This may eventually even affect the health of the nerves (condition known as uremic neuropathy).

6. Pains and aches in joints and bones

Kidneys assist in activation of vitamin D which makes the bones and joints stronger. Unhealthy kidney can cause poor bones, rigidity, and pain in the joints and this results in risking the chances of developing fractures. The joints are the red zone, so if you have sustained pain in the joint combined with swelling or weakness, it is indeed a red flag.

7. Skin Colour Alterations

Kidneys failure leads to less production of red blood cells, which results to pale or yellowish skin. In certain instances, toxins accumulate to cause dark spots on the hands, legs and arms. An abrupt change in skin tone can indicate that there is degenerating kidney activity.