The headline “23 Strange Signs Your Kidneys Might Be in Trouble” is a little sensational. The important point is that early chronic kidney disease often causes no noticeable symptoms, so symptoms alone cannot reliably tell you whether your kidneys are healthy. Blood and urine testing is much more useful. (NIDDK)
Symptoms that can occur with kidney disease
Some possible warning signs include:
- Foamy or unusually bubbly urine — can indicate protein leaking into the urine.
- Blood in the urine — should always be evaluated.
- Urinating more often, particularly at night.
- Swelling of the ankles, feet, legs, hands, or around the eyes from fluid retention.
- Persistent tiredness or low energy.
- Difficulty concentrating or “brain fog.”
- Poor appetite.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Itchy or unusually dry skin.
- Muscle cramps, particularly at night.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Shortness of breath, particularly with advanced disease. (National Kidney Foundation)
These symptoms do not prove kidney disease. Many can also result from dehydration, anemia, medications, diabetes, heart problems, infections, or other conditions.
The most important part
If you’re concerned about your kidneys, don’t wait for 23 symptoms. A doctor can check kidney function with a blood test (eGFR) and look for protein in the urine with a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR). (NIDDK)
Testing is particularly important if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney failure, because kidney disease can remain silent for a long time. (NIDDK)
If you want, I can also give you the full list of 23 symptoms and explain what each one may mean.
