Sometimes, people wake up with swollen or puffy eyelids. In some instances, swelling goes away in a few hours and in others, swelling lasts or reappears on a regular basis. While allergies, inadequate sleep and fluid retention may lead to puffiness, it's one of the rare cases in which abnormal swelling that circles the eyes can be linked to kidney issues.
By comprehending if Puffy Eyelids a sign of kidney disease, they can be able to recognize potential signs and seek suitable medical guidance. MediLux Ayurveda offers information on kidney health and healthy lifestyle habits to people in the USA and UK.
Why Can Kidney Problems Cause Puffy Eyelids?
Kidneys remove the waste products and extra water from the blood. They also assist with maintaining the body's water, sodium and other vital balances.
If kidney function is compromised, the body can hold onto fluid. In certain kidney diseases, protein also may pass into the urine. Reduced protein in the blood can lead to the transfer of fluid to nearby tissues, which may lead to swelling.
The skin around the eyes is thinner and it's easier to see a build up of fluid there. This swelling can be particularly noticeable when one wakes up from sleep.
But, puffy eyelids don't mean someone has kidney disease. Other reasons should also be taken into account.
Common Causes of Puffy Eyelids
There are a few conditions and day-to-day occurrences that can cause puffiness around the eyes.
Fluid Retention
Due to kidney, heart or other health issues, the body may be retaining extra fluid. This can result in swelling of various parts of the body such as face, eyelids, hands, feet and ankles.
If present with swelling of other areas, medical evaluation is important.
Protein in Urine
Renal (kidney) disease does not allow significant protein to be excreted in the urine. Damage to the filters in the kidneys can lead to the leakage of protein into the urine. This is referred to as proteinuria.
This can lead to loss of significant amounts of protein, causing a fall in blood protein which may result in swelling around the eyes or around other parts of the body.
Allergies
Another frequently seen causes of puffy eyelids is allergies. Dust, pollen, cosmetics, pet dander, or other allergens may cause inflammation that occurs around the eye(s).
It can be swollen, itchy, red, watery eyes or a runny nose.
Lack of Sleep
Insufficient sleep can make the area around the eyes appear swollen or tired. Position of sleep and water balance can also affect temporary puffiness.
High Salt Intake
For some, drinking too much sodium makes them hold on to fluid. People who have kidney disease and/or hypertension may need to focus on sodium intake.
Medical history and kidney function should be taken into consideration when tailoring dietary recommendations.
Eye Infections and Other Conditions
Swelling can cause conjunctivitis, eyelid inflammation and other eyes diseases. Some medication and thyroid disease can also cause eye changes.
A health care provider can help find the cause.
Other Kidney Disease Symptoms to Watch For
Having puffy eyelids does not mean you have kidney disease. If swelling is accompanied by other symptoms, it may be advisable to consult a health care provider about kidney function testing, however.
Warning Signs include:
- Effusion of the feet, ankles, hands or face.
- Foamy urine (sometimes a sign of protein in urine).
- Altered urination pattern and/or volume.
- Blood in the urine.
- Unabated tiredness or lack of strength.
- High blood pressure.
- Loss of appetite or nausea without a known cause.
There are individuals who have early chronic kidney disease, but do not have any symptoms. For individuals who have risk factors like diabetes or high blood pressure, regular blood and urine tests may be necessary.
How Is Kidney Disease Diagnosed?
Tests may vary based on the signs and symptoms, medical history and risk factors of the individual.
- Albuminuria test: Tests for a type of protein called albumin in the urine. When there's an increase, it can be a sign of kidney damage.
- Blood creatinine test: Tests for creatinine (a waste product of the kidneys).
- Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): An indicator of how well the kidneys are filtering waste, based on blood tests.
- Blood pressure measurement: Helps to detect if there is high blood pressure, which can cause or be caused by kidney issues.
- Further tests: An imaging test or other tests may be ordered depending on the test results.
These tests can be used to see if swelling is due to kidney function or another medical condition.
When Should You Seek Medical Attention?
If the swelling around the eyes occurs persistently or for no apparent reason, it should be looked at, particularly if the swelling has appeared in other parts of the body, the urine is foamy, there is blood in the urine or there have been changes in urination.
If swelling is causing difficulty breathing, chest pain, or sudden vision changes, see a doctor immediately. The swelling of the face, lips or tongue may also need emergency treatment if it develops suddenly and breathing or swallowing is difficult.
Early evaluation will enable a cause to be identified and may help to guide the treatment.
Explore Kidney Wellness Guidance with MediLux Ayurveda
Identifying if Puffy Eyelids is a symptom of kidney disease is an important step towards noticing changes in your body. While fluid retention caused by the kidneys can lead to swelling around the eyes, there are other conditions that can cause the same swelling. This means it's important to get proper medical evaluation to determine the cause.
If you live in the USA or UK and wish to learn about kidney wellness and Ayurvedic lifestyle, then MediLux Ayurveda has all the answers for you.
Click on MediLux Ayurveda page and fill the form to schedule your online consultation. Discover customized recommendations for wellbeing and get an informed approach to wellbeing.
Note: This article should NOT be used for diagnosis or treatment; it is intended for educational purposes only. Ayurvedic treatments are not a substitute for medications, kidney tests or specialist treatment.