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Detecting chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be tricky because the signs and symptoms of kidney disease occur late, after the condition has progressed and kidney damage has occurred. In fact, CKD is sometimes known as a “silent” condition because it’s hard to detect—and most people with early stage CKD are completely unaware of it.

Understanding chronic kidney disease symptoms

While watching for late-stage symptoms won’t help with early detection, it’s still important to be aware of the signs. Remember, you shouldn’t wait for symptoms before you take action. If you are at risk for CKD, especially if you have high blood pressure or diabetes, it’s recommended that you get screened at least once a year for any evidence of kidney disease and to learn your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Your doctor can give you a blood test that will measure your creatinine levels and help determine your level of kidney function. The earlier CKD is detected, the greater the benefit of early treatment.

Talk to your doctor immediately if you notice any of these potential CKD signs and symptoms:

• Changes in urination
  Healthy kidneys help filter blood to create urine. When the kidneys don’t function well, urination issues may occur such as needing to urinate more often or seeing blood in your urine. You may also experience urine that’s foamy or bubbly—which could be an early sign that protein is getting into your urine due to damaged kidneys.
• Fatigue
  Reduced kidney function can lead to a buildup of toxins in the blood that causes you to have a lack of energy or feel overwhelmingly tired. CKD may also cause anemia, which can make you feel tired or weak due to having too few red blood cells.
• Itching
  Dry and itchy skin may be a sign that you have an imbalance of minerals and nutrients in your blood due to kidneydisease. Itching is often caused by high blood levels of phosphorus.
• Swelling in your hands, legs, or feet
  When your kidneys aren’t removing excess fluid and sodium from your body, swelling (also known as edema) may occur in your feet or other lower extremities.
• Shortness of breath
  Extra fluid can build up in your lungs when your kidneys aren’t removing enough fluid, which may cause you to beshort of breath. CKD-induced anemia, which is a shortage of oxygen carrying red blood cells, may also cause breathlessness.
• Pain in the small of your back
  You may experience localized pain near your kidneys that doesn’t change or that becomes worse when you move or stretch. The kidneys are located on either side of your spine in your lower back, and kidney problems can cause pain in this area. Back pain may also be due to an infection or blockage of the kidneys, which can lead to kidney damage.
• Decreased appetite
  A buildup of toxins due to impaired kidney function may cause you to lose your appetite, whether because you feel full or too sick or tired to eat.
• Puffiness around your eyes
  Protein leaking into your urine as a result of kidney damage may cause persistent puffiness around the eyes, an early sign of kidney disease.
• Abnormal levels of phosphorus, calcium, or vitamin D
  Impaired kidney function can cause electrolyte imbalances, such as low calcium levels or high phosphorus, that may lead to muscle cramping.
• Abnormal urine test
  High amounts of protein in your urine, called proteinurea, can be a sign of kidney disease. Healthy kidneys filter out waste and fluid, letting protein return to the blood. When the kidneys don’t function correctly, protein leaks into your urine.
• High blood pressure
  Excess fluid and sodium build up as a result of kidney disease can cause you to have higher blood pressure. High blood pressure can also damage the blood vessels in the kidneys and lead to a worsening of kidney disease over time.