[8 MIN READ]
In this article:
-
Kidney disease is very serious, but many people who suffer from it do not know they have it. It’s important to know the early signs of kidney disease.
-
Early signs of kidney disease include shortness of breath, back pain and high blood pressure.
-
To prevent kidney disease, you should be physically active, maintain a healthy weight and manage high blood pressure and diabetes.
Kidney disease symptoms: Warning signs you shouldn’t ignore
Kidney disease is often called the “silent killer.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in seven U.S. adults have chronic kidney disease (CKD). But as many as nine in 10 adults who have CKD do not know they have it.
The good news is that you can treat it — if you know how to spot the signs and symptoms of kidney disease and find it early.
“We have transformative new treatments that save lives, hearts and kidneys,” says Providence nephrologist Katherine Tuttle, M.D.
Understanding kidney disease and why early detection matters
You have two kidneys. The bean-shaped organs are located on either side of your spine and under your rib cage, and their main function is to clean and filter your blood. Your kidneys filter toxins and waste from all of your blood every 30 minutes. They also help control your blood pressure and are essential for healthy bones.
CKD occurs when your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood the way they should. Excess fluid and waste can build up and cause health complications, including heart failure and kidney failure. Other health issues associated with kidney disease include serious infections, bone disease and fractures, and anemia or low red blood cell count.
Although CKD is a serious health condition, there are highly effective and safe treatments available. If left untreated, your kidney function progressively decreases and can lead to kidney failure or death.
The five stages of chronic kidney disease
Doctors use two tests to determine your kidney function:
- A blood test to check your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), or the amount of creatinine, a waste product, in your blood
- A urine test, called a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR), checks for a protein called albumin in your urine
There are five stages of CKD, and your eGFR determines which stage you are in:
- Stage 1: Your eGFR is 90 or higher and your kidneys work normally
- Stage 2: Your eGFR is 60-89; while you have mild kidney damage, they still work well
- Stage 3: Your eGFR is 30-59; you have moderate kidney damage, and your kidneys don’t work as well as they should
- Stage 4: Your eGFR is 15-29; you have severe kidney damage, and your kidneys are close to not working at all
- Stage 5: Your eGFR is less than 15, you have the most severe kidney damage, and your kidneys are working little or not at all
Seven early warning signs of kidney disease
You may not have any obvious symptoms during the early stages of kidney disease. However, several conditions, like high blood pressure and diabetes, increase your risk for kidney disease. Dr. Tuttle says proper diagnosis and management of these conditions can aid in the early diagnosis of CKD.
“Clear guidelines exist for the prevention and management of common risk factors for kidney disease, such as hypertension and diabetes, but only a fraction of people are diagnosed with these conditions and even fewer are treated,” she says.
While warning signs of kidney disease may not be severe in the early stages, there are symptoms you may notice as the disease progresses. Some of the earliest symptoms of kidney disease include:
- Changes in urination – If your kidneys are not functioning well, you may notice changes in your urine. You may need to urinate more frequently, and your urine may be foamy or bubbly. Blood in your urine can make it appear darker or tea colored.
- Fatigue or extreme tiredness – Excess waste and toxins in your system can cause you to feel more tired than normal. CKD can also cause anemia, which leads to extreme fatigue.
- Itchy skin – The buildup of waste products in your skin can cause severe itchiness.
- Hand, face and feet swelling – Swelling and puffiness may occur in your hands and feet, as well as your face, if your kidneys aren’t removing extra fluid and sodium from your body.
- Shortness of breath – Fluid can also build up in your lungs and cause shortness of breath when your kidneys aren’t working properly.
- Back pain – Back pain can occur when your kidneys are blocked or infected. You may notice pain that remains constant or worsens with movement or stretching.
- High blood pressure – Fluid and sodium buildup caused by decreased kidney function can lead to high blood pressure, one of the first signs of kidney disease.
Other signs and symptoms of kidney disease include trouble concentrating, trouble sleeping and loss of appetite.
Who’s at risk for kidney disease?
Those who are most at risk for kidney disease include people who:
- Have diabetes
- Have high blood pressure
- Have heart disease
- Have obesity
- Have a family history of kidney disease
- Are over 60
- Are Black, Hispanic or Native American
While smoking is not a direct risk factor for kidney disease, it can increase your risk for high blood pressure and heart disease, which in turn can lead to kidney disease.
Take this quiz to find out if you are at a higher risk for CKD.
When to see a doctor about kidney health
If you have a family history of CKD or have risk factors, like high blood pressure or diabetes, you should be screened for CKD yearly. You should also see your doctor if you have constant, dull pain on one side of your back or experience changes in your urination; fatigue; or swelling in your face, hands and feet.
If your doctor suspects kidney problems, they will go over your medical history and may order a blood and urine test. They may also order a calcium test, since calcium is generally low in those with kidney disease. Low calcium could lead to frequent muscle cramps.
Your doctor may order additional imaging tests such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) to check for kidney damage.
Diagnosis and treatment options
If you are diagnosed with CKD, your doctor will help you manage the disease. Your treatment depends on the severity of the disease and can include lifestyle modifications, medication or, in severe cases, dialysis.
“There are now four pillars of therapy for CKD,” says Dr. Tuttle. “They are ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, SGTL2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists and aldosterone blockers. These treatments have been shown to reduce the risks of death, kidney failure and heart failure. When they are initiated early, people with CKD can remain healthy enough to live happy and productive lives.”
No matter how severe your kidney disease is, your doctor can work with you to preserve your kidney function for as long as possible. If you do progress to kidney failure, dialysis or kidney transplants are available.
During dialysis, your blood is circulated through a machine that removes toxins and waste. The filtered blood is then returned to your body. The procedure can take up to four hours and is generally done in an outpatient setting several times a week.
“If you have reduced kidney function, we can develop a plan to ensure your lifestyle promotes kidney health,” says Dr. Tuttle. “You may need to be careful about certain medications (such as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medications that can worsen your condition), eat a low-sodium, kidney-friendly diet and manage other health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.”
Preventing kidney disease: What you can do today
Dr. Tuttle says that since early detection is critical when it comes to treating and managing CKD, it’s important to understand your risk factors and take action before you have severe symptoms.
She stresses the importance of prevention through a healthy lifestyle. Some things you can do to prevent CKD include:
- Be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day
- Don’t smoke
- Eat a well-balanced, low-salt diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Manage high blood pressure and diabetes
“Kidney disease is a serious condition, but it is treatable when caught early,” says Dr. Tuttle. “The most important thing I tell my patients is to prevent health conditions that can lead to kidney damage. Obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure can all be prevented and managed. By managing those conditions, you can effectively decrease your risk for kidney disease.”
Take action for your kidney health
If you think you might be at risk for kidney disease, now is the time to talk to your primary care provider. Ask them for a referral to a nephrologist, or use the link below to find a specialist on your own. Your kidney health can’t wait.
Contributing caregiver
Katherine Tuttle, M.D., is a nephrologist with Providence Spokane Nephrology.
Find a doctor
If you are looking for a Providence primary care provider or nephrologist, you can search for one who’s right for you in our provider directory. Through Providence Express Care Virtual, you can access a full range of health care services.
Download the Providence app
It’s all in the app: easily stay connected with Providence and your health. With the Providence app, you can schedule appointments, have virtual visits from the comfort of your own home, get health recommendations personalized for you, access your health records and so much more. Learn more and download the app.
Related resources
5 habits that harm kidney health
Take control of your blood pressure
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.
About the Author
More Content by Providence Health Team
