23 Signs Your Kidneys Might Be in Trouble
Kidney disease can be difficult to recognize because early chronic kidney disease often causes few or no symptoms. Many symptoms on lists like this are nonspecific and can have other causes, so they don’t by themselves prove that the kidneys are failing. Blood and urine tests are often needed to identify kidney problems.
Possible warning signs include:
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Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, or around the eyes
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Foamy or unusually bubbly urine
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Blood in the urine
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Urinating more often, particularly at night
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Producing much less urine than usual
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Changes in urine appearance or color
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Persistent fatigue or low energy
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Difficulty concentrating or unusual drowsiness
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Poor appetite
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Nausea or vomiting
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Unexplained weight loss
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Dry, itchy skin
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Muscle cramps
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Muscle weakness
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Headaches
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Sleep problems
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Shortness of breath
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High blood pressure that’s difficult to control
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Puffiness around the eyes
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A metallic taste or unpleasant taste in the mouth
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Persistent bad breath
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Feeling unusually cold
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Pain in the side or lower back — this can occur with some kidney conditions, although many causes of back pain have nothing to do with the kidneys.
