Kidneys are small organs with a big job. Each about the size of a fist, your kidneys filter your blood, remove waste and extra fluids, help control your blood pressure, and keep your body’s minerals balanced. Healthy kidneys are essential for overall well-being.
But here’s the problem: kidney disease often develops silently. You might not notice any symptoms until the damage is already serious. That’s why it’s sometimes called a “silent disease.”
In fact, many people don’t realize they have kidney problems until their kidneys are already failing or close to failing. This can lead to serious complications, like needing dialysis or even a kidney transplant.
That’s why paying attention to early warning signs is so important. Even small changes in your body can be a clue that something is wrong.
Here are 8 important changes to watch for. If you notice any of these, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor and get your kidneys checked.
1. Swelling in Your Hands, Feet, or Face (Edema)
Your kidneys remove extra fluid from your body. When they’re not working well, fluid can build up.
What to look for:
- Puffy ankles, feet, or legs, especially by the end of the day
- Swollen hands or fingers
- A puffy face, especially around the eyes in the morning
This swelling is called edema, and it can be one of the first signs of kidney trouble.
2. Changes in Urine
Since your kidneys filter waste into urine, any changes in your urine could mean they’re not working right.
Warning signs include:
- Urinating more often, especially at night
- Urinating less than usual
- Foamy or bubbly urine, which might mean protein is leaking from your kidneys
- Dark, tea-colored, or reddish urine, which could mean there’s blood
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Urine that smells stronger than usual
Any ongoing change in how or when you urinate should be checked by a doctor.
3. Feeling Tired All the Time
Healthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin that tells your body to make red blood cells. When kidney function drops, this hormone isn’t produced as much.
Fewer red blood cells mean less oxygen to your muscles and brain, which can lead to:
- Constant fatigue
- Trouble concentrating
- Weakness or low energy
- Shortness of breath
This condition is called anemia, and it’s common in people with chronic kidney disease.
4. Itchy, Dry Skin
Kidneys help remove waste and maintain the right balance of minerals in your blood, like calcium and phosphorus. When they fail to do this, waste can build up in your body.
This can cause:
- Intense itching
- Dry or flaky skin
- A crawling or burning feeling under the skin
This is more than just regular dry skin—it’s often severe and constant. If you have itchy skin along with other symptoms on this list, it could be a sign of kidney trouble.
5. Loss of Appetite, Nausea, or Vomiting
As waste products build up in your blood—a condition known as uremia—your body may react in unpleasant ways.
You might notice:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Bad breath (sometimes described as “ammonia breath”)
- Feeling full quickly, even if you didn’t eat much
- Weight loss
These symptoms can be mistaken for a stomach issue, but they may actually be coming from the kidneys.
6. Trouble Sleeping or Restless Legs
Toxins in the blood can interfere with good sleep.
Signs of kidney-related sleep problems include:
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Restless legs (a strong urge to move your legs at night)
- Cramps or twitching in your legs
- Daytime sleepiness
Some people with kidney disease also develop sleep apnea, where breathing stops briefly during sleep.
7. High Blood Pressure
Your kidneys help regulate blood pressure by managing fluid levels and making hormones that control blood vessel tightening.
When your kidneys are damaged:
- Your blood pressure may go up
- You may develop hypertension that’s hard to control
But this relationship goes both ways—high blood pressure can also damage your kidneys. That’s why it’s important to check and manage your blood pressure regularly.
8. Shortness of Breath or Chest Pain
When your kidneys fail, fluid can build up not only in your legs, but also in your lungs.
This can lead to:
- Shortness of breath, especially when lying down
- Chest pain, which could mean fluid is around your heart
- Feeling winded after minor activity
If you feel like you can’t catch your breath or have chest tightness, seek medical attention immediately. This could be a sign of serious kidney disease or even heart failure.
Who’s at Risk for Kidney Disease?
Kidney disease can affect anyone, but some people are at higher risk, including those who:
- Have diabetes (especially uncontrolled)
- Have high blood pressure
- Have a family history of kidney disease
- Are over age 60
- Are overweight or obese
- Smoke or use tobacco
- Have heart disease
- Take medications that can damage kidneys (like long-term use of NSAIDs or certain antibiotics)
If you fall into one of these groups, regular checkups are even more important—even if you feel fine.
What Can You Do?
Here’s how you can protect your kidneys:
- Drink enough water, but don’t overdo it
- Control your blood pressure and blood sugar
- Limit salt and processed foods
- Stay active with regular exercise
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
- Check your kidney function with simple blood and urine tests if you’re at risk
- Take medications only as directed
When Should You See a Doctor?
If you notice one or more of the changes listed above—especially if they last more than a few days—it’s time to make an appointment.
Even if the symptoms seem minor, it’s better to be safe. A doctor can order simple tests to check how well your kidneys are working:
- Blood test (creatinine or GFR): Measures how well your kidneys are filtering
- Urine test: Looks for protein or blood
- Imaging tests: Like ultrasound, if needed
Catching kidney problems early can help you slow or even stop the damage from getting worse.
Final Thoughts
Kidney disease often creeps in quietly, without obvious signs. That’s why it’s called a “silent killer.” But your body may still give you clues—if you know what to look for.
If you experience swelling, changes in urine, fatigue, itchy skin, or other symptoms on this list, don’t ignore them. Early detection could make all the difference.
Your kidneys work hard to keep you healthy. Take care of them—and they’ll take care of you.
Have you noticed any of these changes in your body recently? It might be time to listen more closely to what your body is trying to tell you.
