The headline “9 Warning Signs Your Kidneys Are Failing | Tests to Avoid Dialysis” is written in a fear-based, clickbait style. It combines a real health concern (kidney disease) with a misleading promise (“tests to avoid dialysis”).
Kidney disease can sometimes progress without obvious symptoms, especially in early stages, so regular testing is important for people at risk. However, no test can guarantee that someone will “avoid dialysis.” Early detection and proper treatment can often slow kidney damage and help protect kidney function.
Possible warning signs of kidney problems can include:
- Swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, or around the eyes.
- Changes in urination (more or less frequent urination, foamy urine, blood in urine).
- Persistent fatigue or weakness.
- Nausea, loss of appetite, or unexplained weight changes.
- Itchy skin or muscle cramps.
- Shortness of breath (from fluid buildup or anemia).
- Trouble concentrating or feeling unusually tired.
- High blood pressure that is difficult to control.
- Pain in the side or lower back (depending on the cause).
Common tests used to check kidney health include:
- Blood test: serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
- Urine tests: checking for protein/albumin or blood.
- Blood pressure measurement, since high blood pressure both causes and results from kidney problems.
People at higher risk include those with diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney disease, heart disease, or long-term use of certain medications (such as frequent NSAID pain relievers).
So the headline contains a real message—early detection matters—but “tests to avoid dialysis” is an oversimplification. Tests help identify problems early; they do not guarantee a specific outcome.
