Kidney Disease and Your Feet

March is National Kidney Month. At NY Foot Health, our patients may not see an immediate connection between their kidneys and podiatric health, but there is a very important one. Your feet may be one of the places in your body to show early signs of kidney disease.

Edema and Kidney Function

Your kidneys are responsible for filtering waste and regulating the fluid levels in your body. These functions begin to decrease when a person develops kidney disease. One of the early signs of kidney disease is edema or swelling in the feet. Gravity causes fluid to naturally pool in your feet and ankles. When kidney function is impeded, swelling in the lower extremities will increase sooner than in other body parts. Of course, there are other potential causes for swelling of your feet and ankles, including pregnancy, injury, and simply standing for too many hours. If you are noticing consistent swelling in your feet and are unsure of the source, it’s important to make an appointment with your podiatrist to get it checked out. If you currently don’t have a podiatrist, our online directory can help you locate one in your area.

Know Your Risk

Getting symptoms evaluated that may indicate kidney disease is important for early diagnosis and treatment. Kidney disease can lead to several other serious medical issues, including stroke, heart attack, nerve damage, weak bones, and high blood pressure. Certain factors put you at greater risk for developing kidney disease. These include:

  • Family history of kidney disease

  • Being age 60+

  • Diabetes

  • High blood pressure

Talk to your physician about any symptoms you may have that point to kidney disease. In addition to lower extremity swelling, these include difficult, painful urination, blood in the urine, fatigue, and increased thirst.

At NY Foot Health, we believe in a total body approach to podiatric health. Your feet are amazing structures that reflect the conditions in the rest of your body. To learn how feet are impacted by systemic diseases, contact us and subscribe to our free e-newsletter.

 

kidney diseaseNYSPMAkidney disease, diabetes, edema, swelling, feet, ankles, podiatrist