23 Strange Signs Your Kidneys Might Be in Trouble
The headline is attention-grabbing, but there’s an important catch: early chronic kidney disease often 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 warning signs include:
Persistent fatigue or low energy
Difficulty concentrating or “brain fog”
Poor sleep
Muscle cramps, especially at night
Swollen feet or ankles
Puffiness around the eyes
Dry or itchy skin
Foamy or unusually bubbly urine
Urinating more often, especially at night
Producing less urine than usual
Blood in the urine
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Unintentional weight loss
Muscle weakness
Numbness or tingling
Shortness of breath
Trouble sleeping
Persistent swelling of the hands, legs, or feet
Changes in taste
Breath that smells ammonia-like or urine-like
Persistent itching, particularly when accompanied by other kidney-related symptoms
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National Kidney Foundation
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The important part
These symptoms don’t prove that your kidneys are failing. Many can result from other conditions. Conversely, someone can have significant kidney disease while feeling perfectly well.
The reliable way to check kidney health is through blood and urine testing:
eGFR: estimates how effectively your kidneys filter blood.
Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR): looks for albumin leaking into the urine, which can indicate kidney damage.
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NIDDK
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People with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney failure have increased risk and should discuss appropriate screening with their healthcare professional.
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NIDDK
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Bottom line: Don’t wait for a collection of “strange signs” to appear. If you’re at increased risk, a simple blood test and urine test can detect kidney problems much earlier.
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