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Talk to Your Doctor About Your Kidney Health

Often, symptoms of kidney disease are invisible or not obvious. It is important to know the symptoms to look out for and questions to ask your doctor so that simple tests can be done to determine if you are at risk or have kidney disease.

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Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Disease:

Unexplained tiredness
Weakness
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Difficulty concentrating
Trouble sleeping
Dry, itchy skin
Feeling cold when others are warm
Feeling faint or dizzy
Ammonia-like breath
Food tastes like metal

Foamy or bubbly urine
Frequent urge to urinate
Blood in the urine
Brown-colored urine
Pressure when you urinate
Puffiness around eyes
Swelling in the ankles and feet
Frequent muscle cramps
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Shortness of breath after minimal effort

Consider asking these questions at your next doctor’s appointment:

Do I have protein in my urine?
Do I have blood in my urine?
Why does the swelling in my legs and feet never go away, even after rest or sleep at night?
I have a family history of kidney disease. Does this put me at greater risk?
We have tried several blood pressure medications and none of them have worked. Why?
Why do I feel so tired all the time? I have a hard time with normal daily activities.
I have a hard time concentrating, even on small tasks. Why do I have “brain fog”?
I have little to no appetite and get nauseated a lot. What has changed in my body to make
me not interested in eating?

Support

Get help coping with the challenges of living with FSGS through support groups like NephCure. Learn more about our how we can support you.

Nutrition

Eat a diet low in salt and processed foods to manage your blood pressure and reduce strain on your kidneys. Learn more about a kidney-friendly diet and get our cookbook.

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