The Five-Character Mnemonic for Kidney Problems: Foam, Edema, High, Anemia, Fatigue
Kidney disease is a general term for a group of common diseases that seriously threaten human health. Common kidney diseases include urinary tract infections, glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, renal failure, renal cysts, kidney stones, and renal tumors. The kidney is a vital organ; when there is a problem with the kidneys, discovering it early and treating it promptly can achieve twice the result with half the effort.
But ordinary people find it hard to notice kidney disease, which actually has some typical symptoms. Some doctors summarize the manifestations of kidney disease into a five-character mnemonic: foam, edema, high, anemia, fatigue. I think this summary is excellent, and I share it here in the hope it helps readers.
"Foam" refers to foamy urine. Foam in the urine is a very clear signal of kidney disease. Some patients produce foamy urine because they already have kidney disease. Others produce it because they are taking medications with side effects on the kidneys; for instance, cantharis preparations in Chinese medicine irritate the kidneys and easily cause foamy urine.
Either way, if there is a lot of foam in the urine, it should be taken seriously. Besides foamy urine, sudden urinary frequency, urgency, scant urine and hematuria also suggest possible kidney lesions. When these occur, one should promptly go to the hospital for a urinalysis and kidney-function tests.
"Edema" refers to swelling. Kidney disease particularly easily causes various unexplained edemas. The swelling may be in the lower limbs, or there may be edema of the face or eyelids, or even generalized edema. Some patients have year-round edema without realizing it. Simple self-tests can be used, such as pressing a finger into skin that looks puffy or bloated; if the pressed surface leaves a pit that does not quickly rebound, edema is present. Such patients should also consider kidney-related examinations to rule out renal lesions.
"High" refers to high blood pressure. Renal hypertension is very common. Hypertension easily causes symptoms such as dizziness and headache. Renal hypertension differs from ordinary hypertension; it is a secondary hypertension that responds poorly to antihypertensive drugs alone, and once the kidney disease is treated, many patients no longer have high blood pressure.
"Anemia" refers to anemia. Worsening kidney function leaves the kidneys unable to produce sufficient hematopoietic hormones, inducing renal anemia.
"Fatigue" refers to tiredness. Kidney disease patients are easily fatigued and weak. If persistent weariness and weakness that cannot be relieved by rest appear, one should also consider whether kidney disease is present.