You can check kidney function at home using smartphone-connected urine test kits (like Minuteful Kidney) to detect protein (albumin), finger-prick blood tests (like LetsGetChecked) for creatinine/GFR, or by monitoring symptoms like nighttime urination (nocturia) and swelling, but these at-home methods supplement, not replace, professional medical diagnosis, so always follow up with a doctor.
Three key early warning signs of kidney problems are changes in urination (more or less frequent, especially at night), foamy or bloody urine, and persistent swelling, particularly around the eyes, feet, or ankles, indicating fluid retention. Other common signs include persistent fatigue, nausea, itching, and loss of appetite, as toxins build up when kidneys aren't filtering effectively.
You might not know that you have kidney disease until the condition is advanced. Healthcare professionals can find kidney disease through blood and urine tests. These tests look for high levels of waste in the blood or unusual things in the urine, such as protein or tiny amounts of blood.
When kidneys cannot remove waste from your body, a rash can develop. One rash that occurs in people who have end-stage kidney disease causes small, dome-shaped, and extremely itchy bumps. As these bumps clear, new ones can form.
Itching often happens on both sides of the body at the same time (for example, both arms or both legs). Itching is most common and severe in people with kidney failure,but those in the earlier stages of CKD may also notice milder itching.
There's no cure for chronic kidney disease (CKD), but treatment can help relieve the symptoms and stop it getting worse.
You feel kidney pain near the middle of your back, just under your ribcage, on each side of your spine where your kidneys are. Your kidneys are part of the urinary tract, the organs that make and remove urine from the body. (pee). You may feel kidney pain on one or both sides of your back.
Symptoms of kidney disease
Eye Puffiness
This can make it look like you have bags under your eyes. Edema (fluid buildup) due to kidney disease is often associated with swelling in the hands, feet, and lower legs. However, fluid can also collect around your eyes, making them look puffy and swollen.
This build up, combined with anemia, can result in shortness of breath. Anemia can make the body feel cold even when in a warm room. Anemia that is the result of kidney failure means that your brain is not getting enough oxygen, which can lead to memory problems, trouble with concentration, and dizziness.
What can I do to keep my kidneys healthy?
Caring for Your Kidney
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), diuretics, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have all been linked to kidney problems. Certain medications given in hospital settings, such as iodinated radiocontrast, vancomycin, and aminoglycoside antibiotics, can also hurt the kidneys.
No Changes in Frequency of Urination
This is because damaged kidneys can cause one to feel the urgent need to urinate, even if they just went. Therefore, if you have not been experiencing an increased frequency of having to urinate, especially at night, than you likely have healthy kidneys.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top culprits damaging kidneys most, as they harm the delicate filtering blood vessels, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and failure; other major factors include smoking, obesity, dehydration, poor diet (high sugar/salt/red meat), certain medications (NSAIDs), lack of sleep, and genetic conditions. These factors create a cycle where damaged kidneys worsen blood pressure, further damaging them.
Kidney stones form in the kidneys. Symptoms may start as stones move into the ureters. The ureters are thin tubes that let urine pass from the kidneys to the bladder. Symptoms of kidney stones can include serious pain, upset stomach, vomiting, fever, chills and blood in the urine.
Dialysis or a kidney transplant can help you continue to live a long life. Your treatment plan may also include taking medications and following a special diet.
Stage 1 CKD means you have a normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 90 or greater. Even if your eGFR is normal, the presence of a protein called albumin in the urine can indicate early kidney damage. The presence of protein alone doesn't automatically lead to a Stage 1 CKD diagnosis.
Water. Water has no calories, sugar, or additives. It is, without a doubt, the best choice for kidney health. Kidneys use water to filter waste and keep the body working correctly.
People with kidney disease may notice that their nails are yellow or discolored. If the kidneys are not functioning properly, they can't effectively filter out waste products, including nitrogen waste, which can lead to changes in the color and texture of the nails, making them appear pale or yellowish.
If your ankles, feet, or lower legs are swollen, it could mean that your kidneys are not removing extra fluid and salt from your body the way they should. This kind of swelling is called edema and is a common sign of kidney problems.
If your renal disease is a result of either condition your vision may be at risk. Some of the most common eye problems that occur in CKD patients are retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma.