Kidney disease can develop slowly, and early symptoms may be easy to miss. However, many of these signs are not specific to kidney problems and can also occur with other conditions. The only way to know how well your kidneys are working is through medical tests such as blood creatinine/eGFR and urine tests.
10 possible signs of kidney problems to pay attention to:
- Changes in urination
- Needing to urinate more or less often, especially waking up frequently at night.
- Foamy or bubbly urine
- May be a sign of protein in the urine, especially if it persists.
- Blood in the urine
- Always worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
- Swelling in the feet, ankles, hands, or around the eyes
- Damaged kidneys may have trouble removing extra fluid.
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Kidney problems can contribute to anemia and buildup of waste products.
- Difficulty concentrating or feeling mentally foggy
- Waste buildup can affect how some people feel and think.
- Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
- More common in advanced kidney disease.
- Persistent itching or dry skin
- Can occur when kidney function is significantly reduced.
- Muscle cramps
- May be related to changes in minerals and electrolytes.
- High blood pressure
- Kidney disease and high blood pressure can worsen each other.
Seek medical care promptly if you have:
- Very little or no urine
- Blood in urine
- Severe swelling
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden confusion or extreme weakness
People at higher risk of kidney disease include those with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, a family history of kidney disease, or long-term use of certain medicines (such as frequent NSAID pain relievers).
If you share your age, symptoms, and any recent kidney test results (creatinine/eGFR), I can help you understand what they may mean.
