Kidney Disease
If you have ever been to the doctor for kidney disease, you may have noticed that one of the first things they do is check your fingernails. This is because there is a strong connection between kidney disease and vertical nail splits. Vertical nail splits are often one of the first signs of kidney disease.
Nails are an important part of the body and can reveal much about a person’s health. For example, clubbing, when the ends of the fingers enlarge and the nails curve downward, can signify lung disease. Yellow nails can be a sign of liver disease. And white spots on the nails can be a sign of zinc deficiency. Nails can also reveal kidney disease.
Kidney disease is often first diagnosed through vertical nail splits. These deep splits run from the top to the bottom of the nail. They are caused by a buildup of toxins in the body that the kidneys cannot remove. As kidney function declines, more and more toxins build up in the body, causing vertical nail splits. Other common symptoms of kidney disease include fatigue, swelling, high blood pressure, and difficulty urinating.
