Your kidneys can be in trouble without you feeling sick. Learn the warning signs your body may show before kidney disease becomes more serious.

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Your kidneys work every day to remove waste and excess water from your blood. They also help control blood pressure and keep important minerals balanced in your body.

But what happens when your kidneys stop working properly?

Kidney disease can develop slowly. The worrying part is that many people have no noticeable symptoms during the early stages.

However, as the condition gets worse, the body may begin to show warning signs.

Here are 10 symptoms you should know.

1. Swollen Feet and Ankles

Have you noticed that your feet or ankles sometimes look swollen?

This can happen when damaged kidneys cannot remove excess water and salt properly.

The extra fluid may collect in your feet, ankles, legs or hands.

You may notice that your shoes feel tighter than usual or that your feet look bigger.

Swollen feet can have other causes, including heart problems and some medicines. But persistent swelling should be checked.

2. Frequent Urination, Especially at Night

Do you wake up several times during the night to urinate?

This can sometimes be a sign of kidney problems.

When the kidneys are damaged, they may struggle to concentrate urine properly. This can make you urinate more often, particularly at night.

However, frequent urination can also result from diabetes, urinary infections, drinking too much fluid or an enlarged prostate.

If the problem continues, speak to a health professional.

3. Foamy or Bubbly Urine 

Occasional bubbles in your urine are usually normal.

But if your urine regularly looks very foamy, it may be a sign that protein is leaking into it.

Healthy kidneys normally keep most protein in the blood. When their filters become damaged, some protein can pass into the urine.

Persistent foamy urine should be checked with a urine test.

It does not automatically mean you have kidney disease.

4. Blood in Your Urine

Have you noticed pink, red or dark brown urine?

Blood in your urine can sometimes indicate kidney damage.

However, it can also result from urinary infections, kidney stones and other conditions.

You should not ignore visible blood in your urine, even if you have no pain.

See a health professional for proper testing.

5. Constant Tiredness and Weakness

Feeling tired all the time can sometimes be connected to kidney disease.

Healthy kidneys help your body produce a substance that supports the production of red blood cells.

When the kidneys are damaged, your body may produce less of it. This can lead to anaemia, which means your blood has fewer healthy red blood cells.

As a result, you may feel weak, exhausted or short of breath.

Tiredness has many possible causes, so it should not automatically be blamed on kidney disease.

6. Swelling Around Your Eyes

Do your eyes look puffy when you wake up in the morning?

Persistent puffiness around the eyes can sometimes be linked to kidney problems.

When the kidneys allow too much protein to escape into the urine, fluid can build up in body tissues.

This may cause swelling around the eyes, especially in the morning.

Allergies, lack of sleep and other conditions can also cause puffy eyes.

7. Dry and Itchy Skin

Persistent itching can sometimes occur in people with advanced kidney disease.

When the kidneys cannot remove waste properly, certain substances can build up in the blood.

This may cause dry, irritated and itchy skin.

The itching may affect different parts of the body and can sometimes become worse at night.

Dry skin, allergies and other skin conditions can also cause itching.

8. Loss of Appetite and Nausea

Have you started feeling sick or losing interest in food?

Advanced kidney disease can cause waste products to build up in the blood.

This may affect your appetite and make you feel nauseated.

Some people may also experience vomiting or an unpleasant taste in their mouth.

Persistent nausea and loss of appetite should be investigated, especially when accompanied by other symptoms.

9. Muscle Cramps

Frequent muscle cramps, particularly in the legs, can sometimes be associated with kidney disease.

Your kidneys help maintain the right balance of minerals in your body.

When they are not working properly, these levels can become unbalanced and contribute to muscle cramps.

Dehydration, physical activity and other health problems can also cause cramps.

If you experience frequent or unexplained cramps, speak to a health professional.

10. Shortness of Breath

Kidney disease can sometimes cause breathing difficulties.

This may happen when excess fluid builds up in the body and collects in or around the lungs.

Anaemia caused by kidney disease can also make you feel short of breath.

If you experience sudden or severe difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical attention.

Do not assume that it is simply tiredness or a minor breathing problem.

Can You Have Kidney Disease Without Any Symptoms?

Yes. In fact, this is very common.

Many people with early kidney disease feel perfectly healthy.

They may eat normally, sleep well and carry out their daily activities without noticing anything unusual.

According to the World Health Organization, kidney disease often causes no symptoms until the later stages.

This is why testing is important, especially for people with diabetes or high blood pressure.

Feeling healthy does not always mean your kidneys are healthy.

Who Is at Risk of Kidney Disease?

Anyone can develop kidney disease, but some people have a higher risk.

You may be at greater risk if you:

• Have diabetes.
• Have high blood pressure.
• Have heart disease.
• Have a family history of kidney disease.
• Have previously experienced serious kidney damage.
• Have obesity.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are two major causes of long-term kidney damage.

If you have either condition, regular kidney checks are important.

How Do You Know If Your Kidneys Are Healthy?

You cannot confirm that your kidneys are healthy by looking at your urine or checking how you feel.

You need proper medical tests.

Two common tests are:

1. Blood test: This checks a substance called creatinine. Its level helps doctors understand how well your kidneys are filtering your blood.

2. Urine test: This checks for protein in your urine. Too much protein may indicate that your kidneys are damaged.

Your health professional may also check your blood pressure and recommend other tests when necessary.

These tests can detect kidney problems even when you have no symptoms.

How Can You Protect Your Kidneys?

You can take several steps to reduce your risk of kidney disease.

Keep Your Blood Pressure Under Control

High blood pressure can damage the kidneys over time.

Check your blood pressure regularly and follow your health professional’s advice.

Manage Your Blood Sugar

If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar under control can help protect your kidneys.

Drink Enough Water

Drink enough water to avoid dehydration. However, people with advanced kidney disease may need to limit their fluid intake under medical guidance.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits and other healthy foods. Avoid regularly consuming excessive amounts of salt.

Be Careful With Painkillers

Frequent or excessive use of certain painkillers, particularly ibuprofen and naproxen, can damage the kidneys.

Ask a health professional or pharmacist before using them regularly, especially if you already have kidney problems.

Exercise Regularly

Walking, cycling and other physical activities can help you maintain a healthy weight and control blood pressure.

Note:

Kidney disease does not always produce noticeable symptoms in its early stages.

However, swollen feet, foamy urine, blood in the urine, frequent urination, constant tiredness and persistent itching are among the warning signs that deserve attention.

Remember that these symptoms can have other causes.

Do not wait until you feel sick before checking your kidney health. A simple blood and urine test can help detect kidney problems early.

Sources

• World Health Organization (WHO) – Kidney Disease
• NHS – Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease
• National Kidney Foundation – Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Disease
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Chronic Kidney Disease Basics
• Mayo Clinic – Chronic Kidney Disease

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