The kidneys play a vital role in our everyday health, and anything that causes problems with the proper functioning of the kidneys will show up in some sort of physical symptoms. Any time you feel the physical symptoms of renal artery damage, you should get to a doctor immediately.
Identification
The renal arteries are the arteries that branch directly from the aorta of the heart to carry blood to the kidneys so that it can be processed by the kidneys to be used in other parts of the body.
Renal artery stenosis is a condition that is caused by the narrowing of the renal arteries that restrict blood flow to the kidneys. The kidneys are normally responsible for processing up to a half-gallon of blood every minute, and when this blood flow is depleted then the kidneys start to fail.
Effects
High blood pressure is a common and tell-tale sign of renal artery stenosis. If high blood pressure persists, even while being treated, then this could be a sign of renal artery stenosis.
Hypertension that develops unexpectedly prior to age of 30, or beyond the age of 50, is considered a symptom of renal artery stenosis as well. This is provided that some of the more common causes of hypertension such as obesity, alcohol consumption or smoking are not at work.
Considerations
A retention in fluids, or a noticeable change in urine, are also indications of renal artery stenosis.
A bloating of the hands, feet, legs or face is an indication that fluid is being retained and could be the result of renal artery stenosis.
If there is a noticeable decrease in the amount of urine you create, or if the urine that is created has a thick and frothy consistency to it, then this is also a symptom of a renal condition.
Potential
Symptoms that could show up in a physical examination, or after a series of tests, that indicate the possible presence of renal artery stenosis are a rushing water sound attributed to the kidneys or the appearance of smaller than normal kidneys in x-rays.
The rushing water sound attributed to the kidneys is referred to as a bruit.
Misconceptions
Renal artery stenosis can also sometimes lead to a shortness of breath commonly referred to as dyspnoea. Difficulty breathing is a symptom of several heart problems, and while renal artery stenosis is a circulation condition, it is sometimes misdiagnosed as a form of heart disease.
Tags: artery stenosis, renal artery, renal artery stenosis, arteries that, attributed kidneys, blood flow