Symptoms of kidney disease include:
- Lethargy and exhaustion
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, hands, or face
- Back or flank pain
- Unexplained high blood pressure
- Severe itching
- Skin rash
- Changes in urination frequency (less or more than usual), changes in color, foamy or bloody urine, nighttime urination
- Metallic taste in the mouth or ammonia breath
- Changes in appetite or lack of desire for meat or protein
- Feeling cold all the time
- Trouble concentrating
Our kidneys are highly adaptable to changes in function and in the early stages of kidney disease, there may be few symptoms. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms do appear, the patient may already be seriously ill. Kidney disease and failure are even more prevalent in African American, Latino, Asian and Native American populations.
If you feel that you have any of the symptoms above or suspect kidney disease, please see your doctor. If kidney disease is left untreated, it can lead to additional kidney damage and possible kidney failure.