The headline “10 Silent Signs Your Kidneys Are Failing — Most People Miss These!” is attention-grabbing, but it contains an important truth: early kidney disease often causes few or no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they can be subtle and may have many other causes.
Possible signs of kidney disease include:
- Swelling (edema)
- Puffiness around the eyes or swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs due to fluid retention.
- Changes in urination
- Urinating more or less than usual, especially at night, or changes in urine appearance.
- Persistent fatigue
- Reduced kidney function can contribute to anemia and a feeling of low energy.
- Loss of appetite or nausea
- Waste products can build up in the blood as kidney function declines.
- Itchy skin
- Advanced kidney disease can sometimes cause persistent itching.
- Muscle cramps
- Electrolyte imbalances may contribute to cramps.
- Difficulty concentrating
- A buildup of waste products or anemia can affect mental clarity.
- High blood pressure
- High blood pressure can both cause and result from kidney disease.
- Shortness of breath
- May occur because of fluid buildup or anemia in more advanced disease.
- Foamy urine
- Persistently foamy urine can be a sign of excess protein in the urine, though occasional foam is common and not always a problem.
The challenge
Many people with early chronic kidney disease have no symptoms at all. Blood tests (such as creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR) and urine tests are often needed to detect it early.
Seek prompt medical attention if you have:
- Blood in your urine
- Severe swelling
- Very little or no urine output
- Severe shortness of breath
- Chest pain or confusion
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease, regular kidney function testing is especially important because these are major risk factors.
