Signs of Kidney Problems

One of the most common red flags of kidney disease is a change in how frequently someone urinates. Usually, this involves more frequent trips to the bathroom, which are most apparent when interrupting sleep at night. Often, an urgent need to urinate will accompany this increase. Some individuals actually urinate less often, which is usually a sign of a urinary tract infection.

Individuals with kidney issues may also notice their urine looks different. Brown, pink, or red urine contains blood, potentially indicating chronic kidney disease.

Known as hematuria, the bleeding is usually not painful. However, if a person passes blood clots in the urine, there can be pain and discomfort. Hematuria could stem from inflammation, mineral imbalances, or a variety of other kidney issues that would require testing for a proper diagnosis.

As the kidneys fail to filter out waste and other products, toxins begin to accumulate in the blood. This can have many effects, most of which take time to develop before becoming noticeable. One of the first to become noteworthy, however, is a general sense of tiredness and persistent fatigue. In some cases, this may come with muscle weakness.

With time, this fatigue can become so severe that formerly easy daily activities become difficult or nearly impossible.

Along with toxin buildup, the body also begins to retain excess fluids as a result of kidney problems. These fluids then accumulate in areas throughout the body, most typically causing notable swelling of the hands, feet, or face.

This swelling, called edema, can range from slight puffiness to extreme swelling. In cases of very developed kidney problems, there can be severe swelling of the belly—called ascites.

Fluid may also build up in the tissues or air spaces of the lungs, causing pulmonary edema. This has a blatant impact on how easy it is to breathe. In the beginning, pulmonary edema may simply present as shortness of breath.

Breathing may become more difficult while lying down. With time, it may become severe enough that the individual feels as if they are choking or drowning. Research also points to kidney failure triggered heart problems that—in turn—worsen edema and shortness of breath.

Many people with kidney issues will experience pain in their side or back. Usually, this is due to a kidney infection or a kidney stone in the ureters that transfers urine to the bladder. The pain typically strikes in the flank, the area between the bottom of the rib cage and the hips. It can also flare up in the abdomen or lower back. Usually, the pain only affects one side, though it is possible for it to affect both.

When passing a kidney stone, the pain may migrate from one area to another as the stone travels through the urinary tract.

High blood pressure, known medically as hypertension, is one of the main risk factors for kidney disease and one of the top causes of end-stage kidney failure in the U.S. And in reverse, kidney disease is one of the more common causes of hypertension.

The kidneys are responsible for filtering out substances like salt. When kidneys struggle to function, these substances increase blood pressure. Alternatively, kidney damage can activate the production of certain hormones that directly increase blood pressure.

As waste materials accumulate in the body due to the kidney's inability to filter them out, many of the body's other systems develop problems. Both adults and children with kidney failure are at risk of cognitive deficits, especially when it comes to executive function. This means that they struggle with emotion regulation, impulse control, and the ability to concentrate. Mental or brain fog is very common in people with kidney problems. As the disease progresses, brain fog can worsen into confusion and delirium.

The toxins in the blood from kidney disease can also trigger various gastrointestinal symptoms. Early on, the most common sign is loss of appetite. People will often also experience nausea or even vomiting. As research continues, experts note that kidney problems may cause a wide range of gastrointestinal complications and that changes to appetite and digestion should be taken seriously wherever they appear.

Among the earliest symptoms of kidney problems, some may seem so minor that the average person would overlook them. One such symptom is dry skin. As various substances accumulate in the body, imbalances of minerals and nutrients occur. Areas of the skin dry out and may become quite itchy. Over time, the dryness may worsen to the point that the skin becomes rough and scaly or even develops fish-like scales.

Electrolyte imbalance is also a serious issue and symptom of kidney disease. Electrolytes are substances like sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium that help the body perform various functions. Due to fluid and nutrient retention, electrolyte levels become imbalanced, and the nerves and muscles become damaged. Among other symptoms, muscle cramps—particularly in the legs—develop and steadily worsen.

During late-stage kidney problems, an individual may develop an issue called "ammonia breath." This symptom involves a metallic taste in the mouth and breath that smells similar to urine. Essentially, the body is attempting to remove urea from itself. Since it cannot do so through the kidneys, it pushes the urea out via the breath. As the urea reacts with saliva, it creates ammonia, which is responsible for the odd taste and smell.

The kidneys are a core part of the urinary tract. Because of this, issues that affect the urethra, bladder, and ureters also tend to impact the kidneys. Some people, particularly women, are prone to recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Should these infections go without treatment, the kidneys may steadily take damage. In turn, this increases the likelihood that a person develops UTIs.

Alternatively, kidneys that are diseased or damaged could be leaking protein, which makes urine frothy or foamy. Research is ongoing to determine whether frothy urine is exclusively linked to kidney disease or other health issues. It’s important to discuss this symptom with a urologist.

Preventing kidney issues from escalating into severe complications or failure is crucial for long-term health. While recognizing the subtle signs of kidney disease is important, regular medical screenings and advocating for your health are even more vital. Kidney disease often remains silent until its later stages, making routine doctor visits essential. If you notice even one symptom, don’t hesitate to discuss it with a healthcare professional.