23 “strange” signs your kidneys might be in trouble
A long list of symptoms can be misleading: early chronic kidney disease often causes no symptoms at all. Many of the symptoms below also have other, much more common explanations.
Possible warning signs include:
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Foamy or persistently bubbly urine — may indicate protein in the urine.
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Blood in the urine — pink, red, or cola-colored urine.
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Changes in urination frequency — especially persistent increases or decreases.
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Waking frequently to urinate.
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Swelling around the ankles or feet.
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Puffiness around the eyes, particularly in the morning.
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Unexplained fatigue or weakness.
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Poor appetite.
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Nausea or vomiting.
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Persistent itching.
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Dry skin.
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Muscle cramps.
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Difficulty concentrating or unusual drowsiness.
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Shortness of breath, particularly with fluid buildup.
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High blood pressure or blood pressure that’s becoming harder to control.
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Unexplained weight gain from fluid retention.
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Metallic taste in the mouth.
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Ammonia-like breath in advanced kidney dysfunction.
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Sleep problems.
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Restless or uncomfortable legs.
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Headaches associated with poorly controlled blood pressure or kidney disease.
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Flank or lower-back pain in certain kidney conditions, although ordinary chronic kidney disease itself usually doesn’t cause pain.
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Changes in skin color or pallor in advanced disease, sometimes related to anemia or accumulation of waste products
