23 signs that may point to kidney problems
The viral-style headline is a little misleading: there isn’t a set of 23 symptoms that can diagnose kidney disease. In fact, early chronic kidney disease often causes no noticeable symptoms. Blood and urine tests are much more reliable for detecting it.
Possible signs—particularly when they are persistent or occur together—include:
-
Swelling around the ankles, feet, legs, hands, or eyes
-
Foamy urine, which can indicate protein in the urine
-
Blood in the urine (pink, red, or cola-colored)
-
Urinating more frequently, especially at night
-
A major decrease in urine output
-
Cloudy or unusually dark urine
-
Persistent fatigue or weakness
-
Difficulty concentrating or feeling mentally foggy
-
Poor appetite
-
Nausea or vomiting
-
Unexplained weight loss
-
Persistent itching or very dry skin
-
Muscle cramps
-
Headaches
-
Sleep problems
-
Shortness of breath, particularly with fluid buildup
-
High blood pressure or blood pressure that’s difficult to control
-
Puffiness around the eyes, particularly after waking
-
Metallic or altered taste
-
Unpleasant or ammonia-like breath in advanced kidney failure
-
Unusual paleness of the skin
-
Pain in the side or back, which can occur with kidney stones or infection
-
Persistent hiccups, which can occur in advanced kidney dysfunction
