Your kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste, balancing fluids, and keeping your body healthy.
However, kidney disease often develops silently, with symptoms appearing only in later stages. Recognizing the early warning signs can help you take action before serious complications arise.
1. Fatigue and Low Energy
When your kidneys aren’t functioning properly, toxins build up in your bloodstream, leading to persistent tiredness, weakness, and trouble concentrating. Anemia, which often accompanies kidney disease, can also leave you feeling drained.
2. Trouble Sleeping
A buildup of waste in the blood can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep. Additionally, people with kidney disease may suffer from sleep apnea, which disrupts breathing throughout the night and leads to poor rest, the National Kidney Foundation says.
3. Dry, Itchy Skin
Healthy kidneys regulate minerals and nutrients in your body. When they struggle to do their job, imbalances can cause dry, itchy skin, signaling underlying bone and mineral disorders related to kidney disease.
4. Frequent Urination
Feeling the urge to urinate more often, especially at night, can be a sign of issues. When the kidney filters are damaged, they can cause increased urine production, which may indicate early kidney disease.
5. Blood in Urine
Healthy kidneys filter waste while keeping essential blood cells in your body. If you notice blood in your urine, it could signal disease, infections, or even kidney stones. Never ignore this symptom.
6. Foamy Urine
Excessive bubbles or foam in your urine, similar to what you see when scrambling eggs, may indicate the presence of protein.
Protein leakage in urine is a sign that your kidneys aren’t filtering properly.
7. Swelling in the Feet and Ankles
When kidneys don’t remove excess sodium efficiently, fluid retention can occur, leading to swelling in your feet, ankles, and even hands. This is a common symptom of kidney disease and should be checked by a doctor.
8. Poor Appetite
A loss of appetite may seem minor, but it can be an early sign of kidney disease due to the buildup of toxins in the body. Nausea and an altered sense of taste often accompany this symptom.
9. Muscle Cramps
Electrolyte imbalances can lead to muscle cramps. Low calcium and imbalanced phosphorus levels may contribute to this uncomfortable condition.
10. Puffiness Around the Eyes
Persistent puffiness around the eyes can indicate protein leakage in urine, which suggests your kidneys may not be properly filtering waste. This can be an early sign of damage.
When to See a Doctor
If you experience any of these symptoms, especially more than one at a time, consult a healthcare professional. Early detection of problems can prevent further damage and improve your overall health.
Maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and managing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can help protect you in the long run.