23 “Strange” Signs Your Kidneys Might Be in Trouble
A long list of symptoms can be misleading because early chronic kidney disease often causes no symptoms at all. Many of the symptoms below also have other, more common explanations.
Possible signs of kidney problems include:
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Swelling of the ankles, feet, legs, hands, or around the eyes
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Foamy or unusually bubbly urine
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Blood in the urine
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Urinating much more or less than usual
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Needing to urinate frequently at night
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Difficulty or pain when urinating
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Persistent fatigue or weakness
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Poor appetite
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Nausea or vomiting
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Unexplained weight changes
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Itchy or unusually dry skin
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Muscle cramps
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Headaches
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Difficulty concentrating or unusual drowsiness
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Sleep problems
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Metallic or unpleasant taste in the mouth
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Persistent bad breath
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Muscle weakness
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High blood pressure
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Shortness of breath from fluid accumulation
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Puffiness around the eyes, particularly in the morning
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Flank or side pain in some kidney conditions
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Confusion or significant changes in alertness in advanced kidney failure
The important part
Symptoms alone can’t tell you whether your kidneys are working properly. Kidney disease is commonly detected with blood and urine testing, including creatinine/eGFR and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR).
People with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or a family history of kidney disease have particular reason to discuss regular kidney testing with a healthcare professional.
Seek urgent medical care for very little or no urine, severe breathing difficulty, severe confusion, or significant blood in the urine, particularly when accompanied by pain or illness.
