Kidney Disease Symptoms: Knowing the Signs of Kidney Disease Could Save Your Life by Sophia L. Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP

Roughly 37 million Americans have chronic kidney disease (CKD), and 33 million have no idea they have it. That’s because symptoms are subtle and hard to detect, but there are warning signs. 

When kidneys aren’t functioning properly, excess toxins build up in the blood and red blood cell production slows, causing subtle symptoms that are easily ignored if you don’t know what you’re looking for. 

Here are 10 signs your kidneys aren’t doing their job:

1. You’re tired, lethargic and have trouble concentrating.

2. You feel faint or dizzy.

3. You’re itchy.

4. You feel cold.

5. Your hands and feet are swollen.

6. You’re not sleeping.

7. You urinate more frequently.

8. Your urine is foamy or dark in color.

9. You lose your appetite.

10. Your muscles are cramping.

Only a health-care provider can test for CKD, and regular checkups help to catch kidney damage early. Take good kidney health to heart and talk to your health-care provider about your CKD risk.

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