Someone who previously managed a full day of work may begin needing frequent breaks. Walking, climbing stairs, preparing meals, or completing household tasks may become more difficult.
This kind of weakness is not specific to kidney disease. It can also be associated with heart conditions, infections, anemia, thyroid problems, nutritional deficiencies, and many other illnesses.
The important point is to pay attention to a persistent change from a person's usual level of energy and ability. A gradual decline should not automatically be dismissed as simply getting older.
What the Picture Gets Right — and What It Can Make People Misunderstand
The image uses dramatic language such as “KIDNEYS ARE DYING” and “KIDNEYS ARE FAILING.” It also highlights skin irritation, a runny nose or sneezing, and back discomfort. These visuals are designed to attract attention, but they should be interpreted carefully.
Some of the symptoms shown can occur in people with advanced kidney disease. Skin dryness and persistent itching, for example, are recognized problems for some people whose kidney function has declined. Pain around the side or back can occur with certain kidney conditions, including kidney stones and infections.
However, a runny nose and sneezing are not recognized typical warning signs of chronic kidney disease. They are more commonly associated with allergies, viral infections, irritation, or other conditions affecting the nose and respiratory system. A person who sneezes frequently should not conclude that their kidneys are failing.
Likewise, a red rash does not automatically indicate kidney damage. Certain kidney-related illnesses can involve the skin, and advanced kidney disease may cause itching and skin changes, but most rashes have other explanations. A clinician needs to consider the appearance, distribution, duration, accompanying symptoms, medications, and medical history.
The lower-back illustration also needs context. Kidney-related pain is more commonly felt in the flank, toward the back beneath the ribs. Pain in the center of the lower back is often caused by muscles, joints, or spinal structures. Location alone cannot establish the source.
The headline “23 Strange Signs Your Kidneys Might Be in Trouble” is therefore best understood as a reminder to pay attention to changes in the body, not as a claim that all 23 symptoms are specific to kidney disease.
The Most Important Warning: Kidney Disease May Have No Symptoms
One of the biggest misconceptions about kidney disease is that a person will always feel something when kidney function starts to decline.
In reality, early chronic kidney disease often causes no noticeable symptoms. The kidneys have considerable reserve capacity, and the body can continue functioning even when damage has already occurred.
This means that someone can have early kidney disease while still feeling energetic, sleeping normally, eating well, and urinating without any obvious changes.
Waiting for swelling, severe fatigue, or pain before arranging a check-up may allow a problem to go undetected for too long. This is especially important for people who have risk factors such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
A simple blood test can measure creatinine, a waste product that the kidneys normally remove. The result can be used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate, commonly called eGFR. This estimate helps healthcare professionals understand how effectively the kidneys are filtering blood.
A urine test can also check for albumin, a type of protein. Healthy kidney filters generally prevent significant amounts of albumin from entering the urine. Persistent albumin in the urine can be an early sign of kidney damage, even when eGFR is still within a relatively normal range.
In some cases, a clinician may recommend additional tests, such as an ultrasound, depending on the person's symptoms and medical history.
No single symptom, photograph, or online checklist can replace these examinations.
Who Should Pay Closer Attention to Kidney Health?
Although anyone can develop kidney disease, some people have a higher risk and may benefit from regular testing even when they feel well.
People living with diabetes should pay particular attention because persistently high blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys. Kidney damage may develop gradually, without obvious discomfort.
People with high blood pressure also need to be careful. High pressure can injure the kidney's delicate filtering structures over time. At the same time, damaged kidneys can make blood pressure harder to control.
People with cardiovascular disease may have a higher risk of kidney problems because the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys work closely together. Conditions affecting circulation can influence kidney health.
People with a family history of kidney disease should tell their healthcare provider. Some kidney conditions have inherited components, and family history can help determine whether earlier or more frequent testing is appropriate.
Older adults may also have a greater likelihood of reduced kidney function. Age alone does not mean that someone has kidney disease, but regular health assessments become increasingly important.
Another group that should be cautious includes people who have previously experienced acute kidney injury. Even if kidney function improves after an episode, follow-up may be necessary to check for lasting damage.
The most useful approach is not to wait until symptoms become severe. People with known risk factors should ask their healthcare provider how often their kidney function and urine should be checked.
How Doctors Determine Whether the Kidneys Are in Trouble
Recognizing symptoms is only the beginning. Confirming kidney disease requires medical assessment and appropriate tests.
Blood tests
A blood test commonly measures creatinine. Creatinine is produced through normal muscle activity and is usually removed from the blood by the kidneys.
When kidney filtration declines, creatinine may rise. Healthcare professionals use the result, together with other information, to estimate eGFR.
An eGFR result can help indicate how well the kidneys are filtering. However, one result alone may not establish chronic kidney disease. The clinician may need to compare results over time and consider other findings.
Urine tests
Urine testing is especially important because it can detect signs of kidney damage that may not cause symptoms.
An albumin-to-creatinine ratio, often shortened to ACR, can measure whether an unusual amount of albumin is leaking into the urine.
A urine test may also detect blood, infection, or other abnormalities. If an abnormal result is found, the clinician may recommend repeating the test to determine whether the finding persists.
Blood pressure measurement
Blood pressure should also be assessed because it is closely connected to kidney function.
A person may have high blood pressure without headaches, dizziness, or any other noticeable complaint. Regular measurements can reveal a problem that would otherwise remain hidden.
Imaging and additional examinations
Depending on the situation, a doctor may recommend an ultrasound or another imaging examination. Imaging can help identify structural abnormalities, kidney stones, obstruction, or other problems.
Not everyone with suspected kidney disease needs every test. The appropriate evaluation depends on symptoms, medical history, examination findings, and initial laboratory results.
When Should You Seek Medical Attention?
It is useful to distinguish between symptoms that deserve a routine appointment and those that require urgent attention.