Dr. Topoti Mukherjee, Lead Consultant - Nephrology & Kidney Transplant, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru

Your kidneys are the heroes of your body, silently working around the clock to filter out waste, regulate fluids, and maintain your blood pressure. However, kidney diseases often progress silently with little to no symptoms, causing significant damage and becoming a major health concern. This is why detection of this disease at an early stage is important. Millions of people have kidney disease, yet the majority do not know about it until it is very late. Late detection might lead to serious complications like kidney failure, requiring dialysis or transplant.

Here are six symptoms of kidney disease that should never be ignored.

1. Persistent Fatigue and Weakness – Improper function of the kidneys means inability to remove the toxins and waste from the blood. This can lead to fatigue, weakness, and difficulty in concentrating. Additionally, kidney disease can even cause anemia, which further contributes to feeling drained and sluggish. If you’re constantly exhausted despite getting enough rest, it might be time to get your kidneys checked.
2. Changes in Urination Patterns - Your kidneys filters your blood which in turn results in the formation of urine. So, any alterations in your pattern of urination could be a warning sign. Some of the changes to be aware of are:

• Increased frequency, particularly at night
• Foamy or frothy urine (which means protein is getting drained from the body)
• Dark or blood-stained urine
• Reduced output despite regular fluid intake

3. Swelling of Hands, Feet, or Face - The kidney also serves to balance fluid in your body. Hence, as soon as the kidneys stop working properly, your body retains extra fluid, resulting in swelling (edema) around your ankles, legs, feet, hands, or even eyelids. If your shoes start to feel constrictive or your rings do not fit as well anymore, it could be a sign of problems in your kidneys.
4. Recurring Puffiness Under the Eyes - Waking up with puffy eyes each morning may be a result of excess protein leakage in your urine, a typical indication of kidney failure. The kidneys are meant to hold vital proteins within the body. So when they are not functioning properly, proteins such as albumin spill over into the urine, causing water build up and puffiness in the eyes.
5. Unexplained Rashes or Itching - Your kidneys work to remove waste and excess minerals from the blood. If they stop working, toxic build up in the bloodstream can cause dry, itchy skin or rashes. In more advanced cases, kidney disease can result in calcium and phosphorus imbalances as well, causing severe itching that does not heal with regular lotions. If you have chronic skin problems with no apparent cause, your kidneys might be the cause.
6. Metallic Taste and Loss of Appetite – Accumulation of waste in the blood may induce a metallic taste in your mouth or bad breath. Loss of appetite or nausea with unintentional weight loss occurs in many individuals with kidney disease. If food begins to taste abnormal or you have suddenly become repellent of meals, it may indicate that your kidneys are not working properly.

Your kidneys are constantly working to maintain your body's equilibrium, but when they begin to fail, the signs are usually subtle. And by the time symptoms do become apparent, it might already be late. That is why early diagnosis in the case of kidney diseases is so important. So, if you have noticed any of these symptoms, don’t ignore them. Schedule a check-up, get your kidney function tested, and take proactive steps to protect your health.