23 Possible Signs of Kidney Problems
Kidney disease can develop without obvious symptoms, particularly in its early stages. So these signs can be clues, but none of them by itself proves that the kidneys are failing.
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Swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs — fluid retention can occur when kidney function is impaired.
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Puffiness around the eyes — particularly noticeable in the morning.
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Changes in urination frequency — needing to urinate much more or less than usual.
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Foamy or unusually bubbly urine — can sometimes indicate excess protein in the urine.
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Blood in the urine — pink, red, or cola-colored urine should be evaluated.
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Dark or unusually concentrated urine — can have many causes, including dehydration.
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Urinating frequently at night — known as nocturia.
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Pain or burning when urinating — may indicate a urinary infection rather than kidney disease itself.
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Pain in the side or back — particularly under the ribs; kidney stones or infection are among the possible causes.
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Persistent fatigue or weakness — advanced kidney disease can cause anemia and buildup of waste products.
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Difficulty concentrating — can occur with advanced kidney dysfunction.
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Trouble sleeping — may accompany chronic kidney disease.
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Dry or itchy skin — particularly in more advanced kidney disease.
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Muscle cramps — electrolyte and fluid disturbances can contribute.
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Muscle weakness — can occur when kidney disease causes significant electrolyte abnormalities.
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Nausea — particularly in advanced kidney disease.
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Loss of appetite — can occur as waste products accumulate.
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Unexplained weight loss — can have numerous causes and shouldn’t automatically be attributed to the kidneys.
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Metallic taste or unpleasant taste in the mouth — sometimes reported with advanced kidney disease.
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Bad or ammonia-like breath — can occur when waste products build up substantially.
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Shortness of breath — can occur with fluid buildup or severe anemia.
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High blood pressure — kidney disease can contribute to hypertension, while hypertension can also damage the kidneys.
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Changes in mental alertness — severe kidney dysfunction can cause confusion or drowsiness.
The important part
Many of these symptoms have much more common causes than kidney disease. The most useful way to check kidney health is through medical testing, typically including blood creatinine/eGFR and urine testing for albumin.
People with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or a family history of kidney disease may particularly benefit from regular kidney-function screening.
If you have very little or no urine, severe shortness of breath, confusion, severe weakness, or blood in the urine with significant pain, seek prompt medical attention.
