In severe kidney dysfunction, the buildup of waste products can affect the nervous system.

A person may experience:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Reduced alertness
• Sleep disturbances
• Confusion
• Significant changes in mental function

These symptoms are particularly concerning when they develop suddenly or become severe.

Sudden confusion should be treated as a medical problem rather than simply assuming it is caused by kidney disease. In older adults especially, sudden confusion can have many urgent causes, including infections, medication effects, metabolic abnormalities, strokes, and other conditions.

10. Pain in the Side or Lower Back

Kidney problems can sometimes cause discomfort in the flank, the area on either side of the back below the ribs.

Kidney stones, kidney infections, and certain other kidney or urinary conditions can produce flank or back pain.

However, most everyday lower-back pain is not caused by kidney failure. Muscle strain, spinal problems, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions are much more common explanations.

Pain accompanied by fever, chills, vomiting, painful urination, or blood in the urine may indicate a urinary or kidney problem requiring medical evaluation.

Kidney Failure Can Be Silent

Perhaps the most important message is that chronic kidney disease may cause few or no symptoms in its early stages.

A person can have reduced kidney function without experiencing dramatic pain, swelling, or changes in urine.

This is why people with higher risk may need regular testing.

Risk factors include:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Cardiovascular disease
• A family history of kidney disease
• Previous kidney injury
• Certain medications or medical conditions

Simple blood and urine tests can provide much more useful information about kidney health than trying to identify symptoms from an online image.

What Tests Check Kidney Function?