10 Signs You May Have Kidney Disease You Shouldn't Ignore

Decoding Your Body's Signals: Key Kidney Health Indicators

Your kidneys are vital organs that work tirelessly, but when they struggle, the signs can be subtle. Ignoring these whispers can lead to serious health complications. Proper renal health education is the first step toward recognizing potential issues before they escalate. This guide covers the essential kidney condition indicators that everyone should be aware of, providing crucial information for maintaining long-term wellness and understanding your body's needs.

10 Signs You May Have Kidney Disease

1. Unexplained Fatigue and Low Energy

Healthy kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO), which tells your body to make oxygen-carrying red blood cells. When kidneys fail, they make less EPO. With fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen, your muscles and brain tire very quickly. This is one of the most common kidney health symptoms.

2. Swelling in Your Ankles, Feet, or Hands

Decreased kidney function can lead to sodium retention, causing swelling (edema) in your feet and ankles. This is a classic sign of impaired renal function and should not be ignored.

3. Puffiness Around Your Eyes

Puffiness around the eyes, especially in the morning, can be an early sign that your kidneys are leaking a large amount of protein into the urine, rather than keeping it in the body.

4. Changes in Urination Frequency

A need to urinate more often, especially at night (nocturia), can be a sign of kidney disease. When the kidneys' filters are damaged, it can cause an increase in the urge to urinate.

5. Foamy or Bubbly Urine

Excessive bubbles in the urine that require several flushes to go away indicate protein in the urine (proteinuria), a common sign of damaged kidneys. This is one of the key 10 kidney disease signs to monitor.

6. Blood in the Urine (Hematuria)

When the kidneys' filters have been damaged, blood cells can start to 'leak' out into the urine. In addition to signaling kidney disease, blood in the urine can be indicative of tumors, kidney stones, or an infection.

7. Dry and Itchy Skin

Healthy kidneys do important work removing wastes and extra fluid from your body, helping to keep bones strong and maintain the right balance of minerals in your blood. Dry and itchy skin can be a sign of the mineral and bone disease that often accompanies advanced kidney disease.

8. Decreased Appetite or a Metallic Taste

A buildup of toxins in the blood (uremia) can make food taste different and cause bad breath. You may also find that you stop liking to eat meat or that you are losing weight because you just don't feel like eating.

9. Muscle Cramps

Electrolyte imbalances can result from impaired kidney function. For example, low calcium levels and poorly controlled phosphorus can contribute to muscle cramping. Accessing reliable renal function information can help you understand these connections.

10. Shortness of Breath

Extra fluid in the body can build up in the lungs. Also, anemia (a shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells) can leave your body oxygen-starved and short of breath. These are serious kidney health symptoms.

Proactive Steps for Supporting Your Kidneys

• Maintain a healthy diet low in sodium and processed foods.
• Control your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
• Drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day.
• Avoid overusing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Get regular exercise and maintain a healthy weight.
• Schedule regular check-ups with your doctor, especially if you have risk factors like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can kidney disease be reversed?

While damage from chronic kidney disease is often irreversible, its progression can be slowed or stopped with early diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and medical treatment. Acute kidney injury can sometimes be reversed if treated promptly.

Who is at the highest risk for kidney disease?

Individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney failure are at the highest risk. Age and ethnicity can also be contributing factors.

References

• National Kidney Foundation. (2025). About Chronic Kidney Disease.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Chronic Kidney Disease Initiative.