How Do You Know If Your Child has Kidney Failure? The Following Explanation Will Help You — Kidney is an important organ for humans. When there is a problem with the kidneys, then some functions will not work properly and will eventually be fatal to health. One of the diseases that attack the kidneys is kidney failure.
Not only adults, kidney failure also affects children. Then, how do you know if your child has kidney failure? Here’s the full explanation.
Symptoms of Kidney Failure in Children that Parents Must Know
The main function of the kidney is to filter out toxins and impurities in the body. Kidneys also play a role in controlling body fluids and removing waste from the body through urine. The kidneys also regulate blood pressure, red blood cell production, and the body’s levels of calcium and minerals.
So, what if the kidneys are damaged? Of course, all the tasks that must be carried out by the kidneys in maintaining the processes in the body get messy.
What causes kidney failure? Kidney failure in children usually comes from infection, injury, shock, heart failure, poisoning, drug overdose, congenital abnormalities, or due to existing chronic kidney disease and has not been treated completely.
Well, how do you know if your child has kidney failure? You can find out through some of the symptoms shown. The following are kidney failure symptoms in children that can help you detect the disease early.
- The first symptom that appears is vomiting and no appetite. This is because kidney function has decreased drastically, making children prone to nausea, severe vomiting, and no appetite. This condition is also affected by increased levels of urea in the blood.
- Then, the child will also turn pale. This is caused by kidney damage, thereby reducing the production of red blood cells. That’s what makes children have severe anemia.
- Your child’s body will also become weak and easily tired even though they only do minimal physical activity and have had enough rest. Why? The reason is, patients with kidney failure can easily feel tired because there is a buildup of urea in the blood.
- The child’s growth and development is also disrupted. As a result, children also experience puberty late. This is influenced by a decrease in appetite in children because their kidneys are not functioning.
- Urine also can’t come out or the urine becomes excessive. These symptoms indicate that the child’s kidney failure is chronic or severe. In fact, in some cases, the urine is red because it has been mixed with blood.
- Some parts of your child’s body also become swollen. This is due to the buildup of fluids in the body. Usually, swelling occurs in the face area and other body parts.
- Then, you will see a lump in the stomach or bladder. It will be easy to recognize also when you feel that part.
- Finally, there is a recurring urinary tract infection. This is caused by a problem with the urinary system and kidneys.
How to Detect Kidney Failure in Children?
We have already mentioned the symptoms of kidney failure in children. Then, how do you know if your child has kidney failure? Actually, the method is very easy.
If you find your child has some of these symptoms, then you should immediately have him/her checked by a doctor. Doctors can detect the disease as early as possible after carrying out a physical examination, checking medical history, looking at the results of blood and urine tests, and doing an ultrasound of the kidneys.
These are The Treatment for Kidney Failure
If not treated properly and quickly, kidney failure in children will result in acute kidney failure and death. Therefore, it is highly recommended to immediately see a doctor. Later, the doctor will provide the following types of kidney failure treatment, depending on the severity of the disease.
- Drugs: Some of the drugs used for kidney failure are erythropoietin (if the patient is also anemic), diuretics, blood pressure controllers, etc. The doctor will also prescribe anti-toxic drugs if the cause of kidney failure is due to poisoning.
- Healthy lifestyle: If your child prefers to eat random snacks, doesn’t drink enough water, or eats unhealthy foods, then it’s time for you to invite him to live a healthy lifestyle so that he has good immunity.
- Dialysis: Dialysis is a medical procedure in which waste is removed from the body using a special machine.
- Kidney transplant: This method is the last resort if the kidney damage is very severe. The surgical procedure is performed by replacing the patient’s kidney with a healthy kidney obtained from a donor.
Here’s How to Prevent Kidney Failure in Children
First, ask the children to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Give healthy food and teach your children to eat healthy and nutritionally balanced food. Also schedule regular exercise every day.
Don’t forget to do regular health checks. Avoid excessive consumption of drugs and without a doctor’s recommendation. Finally, teach children to consume enough water and avoid dehydration.
This is an explanation of kidney failure in children. So, now you know about how do you know if your child has kidney failure? and how to solve it. We hope this helps.
