What do kidneys do?
Your body runs normally if you have intact management of internal bodily functions. There are major organs like the Liver, brain, heart, lungs and kidneys whose functioning plays a vital role in your survival. Any obstructions in their functioning can create a strike of complications for your body.
The kidneys are the multi-taskers that handle multiple duties that are prominent for your body. As these are the building blocks of providing management of blood pressure, balance in electrolytes and red blood cells. But the most important duties that kidneys do is that they filter the blood and eliminate waste products/ excess fluids from your body. The parts within the kidneys help in the execution of the duties stated above. The glomerulus is the filter in the kidneys. These tiny blood vessels called glomeruli filter the blood and tubules returns the needed substances to the bloodstream.
Several kidney diseases and temporary kidney harming conditions can target the functioning and structuring units of the kidneys (Nephrons). The damage procured by the kidneys from the diseases can lead to poor blood filtration and other complications. When the kidneys decline function and glomeruli do not filter blood properly, waste products and excess fluids accumulate in the blood. These build-ups give rise to symptoms like swelling in the legs, ankles or face. The swelling caused by internal damage is known as edema.
What is edema?
Symptoms are the signs of the alarming internal state of your body. Many kidney diseases do not show symptoms in the initial stages of kidney damage. When the kidney disease has reached an extreme stage then symptoms develop. Edema is the most common symptom which is caused by a bunch of kidney diseases. It is the swelling caused by the build-ups of excess fluids trapped in the tissues of the body. The effects of edema fall on many parts of the body including hands, arms, feet, legs and ankles. Edema is the outcome of the impaired kidney function. That is why it results in Swelling in legs due to kidney problems.
Is it possible to have swelling in the legs due to a kidney problem?
This symptom is the sign that the loss of kidney damage has caused excess fluids within tissues of legs. As abnormal functioning of kidneys leads to the imbalance of salts, minerals and blood. The kidneys also regulate the balanced amount of water in the body. The strike of obstructions in these jobs of kidneys leads to the Swelling in legs due to kidney problems.
What are the causes of Swelling in the legs due to kidney problems?
Many medical conditions and kidney diseases can cause edema by damaging the filtering abilities of the kidneys. The blood vessels do not filter blood and leaks excess fluids. These are the causes that harm kidneys to such an extent that it results in Swelling in the legs due to kidney problems.
- High blood pressure: elevated levels of blood pressure can put pressure and damage the blood vessels of kidneys that filter the blood.
- Diabetes: It is the most common cause of kidney damage. The increased levels of blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys.
- Overusing NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), illegal steroid use and drugs can hinder kidney function due to which excess fluids is trapped in the tissues and swelling occurs.
- Heart failure: When heart failure occurs, the lower chambers lose the ability to pump blood. The backed-up blood in the legs, ankles and feet is the outcome of this deadly disease.
- Cirrhosis: It is the damage in the liver that leads to the accumulation of fluids in the legs.
- Kidney disease: Excess fluids can build up in the blood can cause Swelling in the legs due to kidney problems.
What are the complications of Swelling in the legs due to kidney problems?
If you have kidney disease, then swelling in the legs is the most common symptom of lost kidney function. If the condition is not treated then it can result in underlying complications:
- Painful swelling.
- Difficulty in walking.
- Stiffness.
- Stretched skin can be itchy and irritating.
- Increased risk of infection in the legs.
- Obstructed blood circulation.
- Decreased elasticity of arteries, veins, muscles and joints.
- Skin ulcers.
The bottom line is that swelling in the legs can create complications due to the declined function of the kidneys. The treatment of the main cause for swelling can decrease the risk of developing these complications.
0 Comments