{"id":20631,"date":"2026-07-22T07:45:53","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T02:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=20631"},"modified":"2026-07-22T07:45:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T02:00:53","slug":"kidney-disease-cannot-be-detected-simply-after-drinking-water-but-these-warning-signs-should-not-be-ignored","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=20631","title":{"rendered":"Kidney Disease Cannot Be Detected Simply After Drinking Water, but These Warning Signs Should Not Be Ignored<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dragon Media News Desk<\/strong><\/p>\n

The kidneys are vital organs that remove waste products, excess salt and water from the body while helping regulate blood pressure and maintain the body\u2019s fluid balance. When kidney function declines, changes may occur in urination, swelling, blood pressure and urinary habits.<\/p>\n

However, kidney disease cannot be confirmed through a single reaction observed immediately after drinking water. Early-stage chronic kidney disease may remain symptomless for years. It is therefore inappropriate to diagnose the condition based only on the smell of urine, the presence of foam or the need to urinate at night.<\/p>\n

Persistent Foamy Urine<\/strong><\/p>\n

Urine may occasionally appear foamy when it is passed forcefully or when it comes into contact with cleaning products in a toilet. Foam that disappears quickly may be harmless.<\/p>\n

However, urine that repeatedly produces thick foam with small bubbles that remain for a long time may indicate that protein is leaking into the urine. When the kidneys\u2019 microscopic filtering structures are damaged, albumin, which should normally remain in the blood, may pass into the urine.<\/p>\n

This condition is known as proteinuria or albuminuria. It cannot be confirmed simply by looking at urine and requires a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio test. Because a single abnormal result may not be conclusive, doctors may recommend repeating the test.<\/p>\n

Swelling of the Face, Eyes or Legs<\/strong><\/p>\n

When the kidneys cannot remove excess salt and water effectively, fluid may accumulate in the body. This can cause swelling, particularly in the feet, ankles and lower legs. Swelling may also appear in the hands, face or around the eyes.<\/p>\n

Swelling that leaves an indentation after being pressed with a finger and does not quickly return to normal should be taken seriously.<\/p>\n

However, swelling is not caused only by kidney disease. Heart or liver conditions, circulation problems, certain medicines and prolonged standing may also cause it. Medical testing is therefore necessary to determine the underlying reason.<\/p>\n

Frequent Urination at Night<\/strong><\/p>\n

Getting up once at night to urinate may be normal, depending on age, personal habits and how much fluid was consumed before sleeping.<\/p>\n

However, repeatedly waking several times during the night, passing an unusually large amount of urine or experiencing persistent sleep disruption may indicate an underlying health problem.<\/p>\n

Night-time urination may increase when the kidneys lose some of their ability to concentrate urine. However, diabetes, prostate enlargement, bladder disorders, sleep apnoea, heart weakness, leg swelling and drinking large amounts of water, tea or coffee before bedtime can also cause the problem.<\/p>\n

Research has found an association between frequent night-time urination and declining kidney function, but it should not be considered proof of kidney disease by itself.<\/p>\n

Persistently High Blood Pressure<\/strong><\/p>\n

High blood pressure can be both a cause and a consequence of kidney disease.<\/p>\n

Prolonged uncontrolled blood pressure can damage the blood vessels and filtering structures inside the kidneys. At the same time, weakened kidneys may fail to remove excess salt and water, increasing the volume of fluid in the bloodstream and further raising blood pressure.<\/p>\n

Kidney disease and high blood pressure can therefore create a cycle in which each condition worsens the other.<\/p>\n

People with high blood pressure may not experience any obvious symptoms. The absence of headaches or discomfort does not mean that blood pressure is normal.<\/p>\n

Changes in Urine Smell or Colour<\/strong><\/p>\n

The smell of urine may change because of food, medicine, vitamins, dehydration or a urinary tract infection. An unusual smell alone is therefore not a reliable sign of kidney disease.<\/p>\n

However, medical evaluation is necessary when a strong smell occurs together with pain or burning during urination, fever, lower abdominal or back pain, cloudy urine or visible blood.<\/p>\n

Pink, red or tea-coloured urine may indicate the presence of blood. Possible causes include kidney disease, kidney stones, urinary tract infections and other medical conditions, so the symptom should not be ignored.
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\nWhat If Symptoms Worsen After Drinking Water?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Urinating more frequently after drinking a large amount of water can be a normal bodily response. It does not by itself mean that the kidneys are weak.<\/p>\n

However, urgent medical assessment may be required if drinking water or other fluids is followed by breathing difficulty, unusual swelling, sudden weight gain or an extremely low amount of urine.<\/p>\n

People with advanced kidney or heart disease may retain fluid after consuming too much water. Such patients should follow medical advice regarding how much fluid they should drink.<\/p>\n

How Is Kidney Disease Confirmed?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kidney disease cannot be confirmed from symptoms alone. Two main laboratory tests are commonly used for early detection.<\/p>\n

The first is a blood creatinine test, which is used to calculate the estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR. This indicates how effectively the kidneys are filtering the blood.<\/p>\n

The second is the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, or UACR. This test helps determine whether protein is leaking through the kidneys into the urine.<\/p>\n

In general, chronic kidney disease may be diagnosed when the eGFR remains below 60 millilitres per minute per 1.73 square metres for more than three months, or when evidence of kidney damage persists for the same period.<\/p>\n

A single abnormal result may also be caused by dehydration, infection, medicine or a temporary illness. Medical evaluation and, when necessary, repeat testing are therefore important.<\/p>\n

Who Should Receive Regular Testing?<\/strong><\/p>\n

People with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or a family history of kidney failure face a higher risk of developing kidney disease. They should undergo blood and urine testing at intervals recommended by a healthcare professional.<\/p>\n

Because early kidney disease may produce no symptoms, laboratory testing is the most effective method of early detection among people at increased risk.<\/p>\n

Medical advice should be sought when a person experiences persistent foamy urine, blood in the urine, swelling of the face or legs, an unusual increase or decrease in urine volume, uncontrolled blood pressure, unexplained fatigue or difficulty breathing.<\/p>\n

The body\u2019s response after drinking water may provide general information about hydration and urinary patterns, but it should not be treated as a home test for kidney disease.<\/p>\n

An accurate diagnosis requires a combined assessment of symptoms, medical history, blood pressure, blood tests and urine tests.<\/p>\n

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