23 Strange Signs Your Kidneys Might Be in Trouble
Kidney disease can be silent in its early stages, so symptoms alone aren’t a reliable way to determine whether your kidneys are healthy. Many of the following signs can also have completely different causes.
Possible signs
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Swelling around the ankles or feet
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Puffiness around the eyes, especially in the morning
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Foamy or persistently bubbly urine
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Blood in the urine
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Urinating more frequently, particularly at night
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Urinating much less than usual
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Changes in urine color or appearance
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Fatigue or unusual weakness
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Difficulty concentrating
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Sleep problems
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Persistent itching or very dry skin
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Muscle cramps
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Loss of appetite
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Unexplained weight loss
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Metallic or unusual taste in the mouth
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Bad breath
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Feeling unusually cold, sometimes related to anemia
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Shortness of breath, particularly when fluid accumulates
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High blood pressure, especially when difficult to control
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Headaches
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Confusion or marked changes in alertness in severe kidney dysfunction
⚠️ The important part
These symptoms do not prove kidney disease. For example, ankle swelling can come from medications or circulation problems, while frequent nighttime urination can have several causes.
The most useful way to detect kidney disease is testing, especially if you have risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or a family history of kidney disease. Common tests include a blood creatinine/eGFR test and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR).
🚨 Seek urgent medical attention
Get urgent help for very little or no urine, severe shortness of breath, confusion, severe swelling, repeated vomiting, or blood in the urine accompanied by severe pain.
Bottom line: Don’t wait for 23 symptoms. Kidney disease can cause few or no symptoms, and a simple blood and urine check can detect problems much earlier.
