If you’re checking this headline for accuracy, “23 strange signs” is a bit sensational. Kidney disease is often called a “silent” condition because early chronic kidney disease frequently causes no symptoms at all. Symptoms tend to appear as kidney function becomes more impaired.
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NIDDK
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Possible signs of kidney problems
Some symptoms that can occur—especially in more advanced disease—include:
Persistent fatigue or weakness
Trouble concentrating or feeling mentally foggy
Sleep problems
Muscle cramps, particularly at night
Swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, hands, or face
Puffy eyes, especially in the morning
Dry or itchy skin
Foamy or unusually bubbly urine
Blood or pink/cola-colored urine
Urinating more or less often than usual
Needing to urinate frequently at night
Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting
Unintentional weight loss
Shortness of breath
Chest discomfort in advanced disease
High blood pressure or worsening blood-pressure control
Changes in taste or a persistent unpleasant taste in the mouth
Feeling unusually cold
Numbness or tingling
Increasing weakness
Fluid-related rapid weight gain or worsening swelling
In children, poor growth or new bed-wetting can sometimes accompany kidney disease.
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National Kidney Foundation
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None of these symptoms proves that your kidneys are failing. Many have numerous other causes.
The important thing most symptom lists leave out
You cannot reliably rule out early kidney disease based on how you feel. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases notes that testing may be the only way to detect early disease. The key tests are a blood test estimating GFR/eGFR and a urine test measuring albumin (uACR).
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NIDDK
Testing is particularly important if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney failure.
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NIDDK
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A more accurate headline:
“23 Possible Signs of Kidney Problems—and Why Early Kidney Disease Can Have No Symptoms”
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