If you’re checking the viral “23 warning signs your kidneys may be asking for help” claim, some symptoms can indeed occur with kidney disease—but none of these signs alone proves that your kidneys are failing. Early chronic kidney disease often causes no symptoms, which is why blood and urine testing is important.
23 possible warning signs
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Swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, hands, or around the eyes
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Foamy or unusually bubbly urine
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Blood or pink/red urine
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Urinating much more often, particularly at night
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Urinating much less than usual
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Dark or unusually cloudy urine
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Persistent fatigue or weakness
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Difficulty concentrating or unusual drowsiness
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Loss of appetite
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Nausea or vomiting
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Persistent itching
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Dry or unusually itchy skin
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Muscle cramps or twitching
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Shortness of breath
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High blood pressure that’s difficult to control
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Headaches
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Metallic taste or unpleasant taste in the mouth
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Bad breath
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Unexplained weight loss
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Puffiness around the eyes
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Pain in the side or back
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Sleep problems
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Confusion, particularly with severe kidney dysfunction
Many of these symptoms have other, much more common causes. For example, swelling can result from heart or liver problems, while changes in urination can occur with urinary infections or prostate problems.
When to get checked
If you have persistent symptoms—especially blood in the urine, significant swelling, major changes in urination, or difficult-to-control blood pressure—a clinician can check kidney function with a blood creatinine/eGFR test and urine testing.
Sudden severe reduction in urine, severe breathlessness, confusion, or rapidly worsening swelling warrants prompt medical attention.
