23 Signs Your Kidneys Might Be in Trouble
Your kidneys filter waste from your blood, help regulate fluid and electrolytes, and play important roles in blood pressure and red-blood-cell production.
The tricky part? Early kidney disease often causes no obvious symptoms. Testing is frequently the only way to detect it early.
Still, certain changes can be worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
🚽 Changes involving urine
1. Urinating much more often
Especially if the change is persistent or occurs repeatedly at night.
2. Urinating much less than usual
A significant decrease in urine output can sometimes signal a serious problem.
3. Foamy or unusually frothy urine
Persistent foaminess can sometimes indicate excess protein in the urine.
4. Blood in the urine
Pink, red, or cola-colored urine should be medically evaluated.
5. Very dark or unusually cloudy urine
This can have many causes, including dehydration or infection, but persistent changes deserve attention.
6. Increased nighttime urination
Repeatedly waking to urinate can occur with kidney disease, but it also has many other causes.
🦶 Changes caused by fluid buildup
7. Swollen ankles or feet
8. Puffy eyelids, particularly in the morning
9. Swelling in the hands or face
When kidney function is impaired, the body may retain excess salt and fluid. But swelling can also result from heart, liver, vein, medication, or other problems.
😴 Whole-body symptoms
10. Persistent fatigue
11. Weakness
12. Difficulty concentrating or “brain fog”
13. Sleep problems
14. Poor appetite
15. Nausea or vomiting
16. Unexplained weight changes
Advanced kidney disease can cause buildup of waste products and disturbances in the body’s chemistry, producing symptoms such as these.
🩺 Other possible clues
17. Persistent itching
