23 “strange” signs your kidneys might be in trouble
The headline is attention-grabbing, but there’s an important caveat: early chronic kidney disease often causes no symptoms at all. Symptoms become more likely as kidney function declines, and many of them have other possible causes.
Possible signs include:
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Foamy urine — can indicate excess protein in the urine.
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Blood in the urine — urine may appear pink, red, or cola-colored.
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Urinating more often, particularly at night.
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Urinating much less than usual.
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Swelling around the ankles or feet.
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Puffy eyes, especially in the morning.
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Unexplained fatigue or weakness.
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Difficulty concentrating or feeling mentally foggy.
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Trouble sleeping.
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Persistent itching.
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Dry or unusually darkened skin.
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Muscle cramps, including nighttime cramps.
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Muscle weakness.
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Poor appetite.
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Nausea or vomiting.
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Unintentional weight loss.
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A metallic or unpleasant taste in the mouth.
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Bad breath that doesn’t go away.
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Shortness of breath, particularly when fluid accumulates.
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High blood pressure that is difficult to control.
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Headaches or dizziness.
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Feeling unusually cold.
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General fluid retention or rapidly increasing weight.
