If you mean “23 strange signs that could indicate a kidney problem,” it’s important to separate genuine warning signs from symptoms that are nonspecific. Kidney disease can be surprisingly silent, especially in its early stages.
23 possible signs
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Swelling in the feet or ankles — fluid retention can occur when the kidneys aren’t removing enough salt and water.
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Puffy eyes, especially in the morning — can sometimes be related to protein leaking into the urine.
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Foamy or unusually bubbly urine — persistent foam can indicate excess protein in urine.
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Blood in the urine — urine may look pink, red, brown, or cola-colored.
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Urinating much more often — particularly at night.
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Urinating much less than usual — especially when accompanied by swelling.
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Dark or unusually concentrated urine — although dehydration is a much more common explanation.
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Changes in urine smell — can occur with urinary infections and other conditions, but isn’t specific to kidney disease.
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Pain in the side or back — kidney stones or kidney infections can cause flank pain.
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Painful urination — often associated with urinary infection rather than kidney failure itself.
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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 or feeling mentally foggy — can occur in more advanced kidney disease.
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Nausea or vomiting — accumulation of waste products can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
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Poor appetite — another possible consequence of advanced kidney disease.
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Itchy skin — particularly widespread or persistent itching in advanced disease.
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Dry skin — can accompany kidney disease, although there are many other causes.
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Muscle cramps or twitching — electrolyte disturbances can contribute.
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Shortness of breath — fluid accumulation or anemia can contribute.
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Trouble sleeping — may occur with advanced kidney disease.
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Restless legs — has been associated with chronic kidney disease.
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High blood pressure — kidney disease can cause hypertension, while hypertension can also damage the kidneys.
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Unexpected weight changes — rapid weight gain can reflect fluid retention; unexplained weight loss can occur with significant illness.
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Persistent swelling anywhere in the body — especially when accompanied by changes in urination or blood pressure.
Important: None of these symptoms alone proves that your kidneys are in trouble. Many have much more common explanations. And early chronic kidney disease often causes no symptoms at all.
If you’re concerned about kidney function, simple tests such as blood creatinine/eGFR and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) can detect kidney problems even before symptoms appear.
If you have severe flank pain, blood in the urine, very little/no urine, severe swelling, difficulty breathing, confusion, or persistent vomiting, seek medical care promptly.
