To know if it's your kidney, look for pain in your back/side under the ribs, changes in urination (more at night, foamy, bloody), persistent swelling (eyes, legs), fatigue, nausea, or a metallic taste, but since these symptoms can mimic other issues, see a doctor for proper diagnosis with tests like a urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) to check for protein.
Early signs of kidney disease often involve subtle changes like foamy urine, increased nighttime urination, swelling (puffy eyes, ankles), persistent fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, itching, and shortness of breath, though many symptoms only appear as kidney function declines. High blood pressure can also be both a cause and an early indicator, and some damage may only be detected through lab tests, even with no noticeable symptoms in the earliest stages (Stage 1).
The main test for kidney disease is a blood test. The test measures the levels of a waste product called creatinine in your blood. A doctor uses your blood test results, plus your age, size, and gender to calculate how many millilitres of waste your kidneys should be able to filter in a minute.
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 know your kidneys might hurt if you feel a deep, dull ache in your back or side, under the ribs, that doesn't improve with movement, often accompanied by nausea, fever, chills, painful/frequent urination, or changes in urine (cloudy, bloody). Unlike back pain, kidney pain is typically deep, constant, and not relieved by shifting or resting, potentially spreading to the groin, especially with stones or infection, and warrants a doctor's visit.
Conditions that can mimic kidney stone pain
You can check kidney function at home using at-home test kits for urine (detecting protein/albumin) or finger-prick blood tests (checking creatinine/eGFR), often with smartphone apps for analysis, or by monitoring symptoms like increased nighttime urination (nocturia), swelling, or changes in urine (blood, foam) and discussing results with a doctor, as home tests screen but don't replace professional diagnosis.
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.
Where do I feel kidney pain? 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.
What color is urine when your kidneys are failing? Your pee may turn darker and appear dark brown (like tea or cola) when you have kidney disease or kidney failure.
If your kidneys aren't working properly, you may notice one or more of the following signs:
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Water is the best option, followed by kidney-friendly drinks like lemon water, cranberry juice, herbal teas, and coconut water. Avoid alcohol, sugary beverages, and excessive caffeine.
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.
Kidney damage repair depends on the type: acute kidney injury (AKI) can often heal with prompt treatment, but chronic kidney disease (CKD) damage is generally irreversible and requires management to slow progression, with end-stage failure treated by dialysis or transplant, though research into stem cells offers future hope for regeneration. While you can't fully "repair" established CKD, managing underlying causes (like blood pressure/diabetes), lifestyle changes, medications (like SGLT2 inhibitors), and strict adherence to treatment plans can preserve remaining kidney function.
Kidney pain feels like a deep, dull ache in your back or side, under the ribs, but can also be sharp and severe, especially with kidney stones, often spreading to the groin and accompanied by nausea, fever, or urinary changes. Unlike typical back pain, it's often constant, deep within the body, and doesn't improve with rest or shifting positions, signaling an urgent issue like infection or stones.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may have a kidney stone present in your urinary tract:
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Generally, earlier stages are known as 1 to 3. And as kidney disease progresses, you may notice the following symptoms. Nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, swelling via feet and ankles, dry, itchy skin, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, urinating either too much or too little.
Kidney function tests are urine (pee) and/or blood tests that evaluate how well your kidneys work. Your kidneys support your overall health by getting rid of waste and balancing body fluids and electrolytes. Most kidney function tests measure how well your glomeruli (glo-MARE-yoo-lye) work.
Kidney pain is usually deeper, higher up under the ribs on the sides (flank), constant, and may come with fever, chills, nausea, or urinary changes; while general back pain is often lower, more superficial (muscles/spine), changes with movement, and may improve with rest, but watch for radiating pain down the leg (sciatica) or numbness.
See your doctor immediately or go to your local hospital emergency department if you have kidney pain and: you have a fever or feel very unwell. you are unable to pass urine. the pain is on both sides of your body.
Pain associated with the kidneys on the other hand generally remains dull and stable and is usually not changed with movement. Kidney pain also does not typically get better on its own, unless that pain is from kidney stones.