Signs of Kidney Problems You Should Not Ignore

Published on :May 15, 2026

Over 138 million adults in India have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). In fact, India is second to China in terms of number of CKD cases. (Source)

Most people who suffer from CKD do not even know it exists. This happens because your kidney function is slowly being lost without you knowing it. The earlier you can catch these types of health issues, the better off you will be in regard to your health status moving forward and avoiding potentially serious complications in the future.

Understanding Early Signs of Kidney Disease

Your kidneys work hard each and every day to remove wastes. It keeps fluid balance and supports your overall health. When they begin to stop working properly, the body sends out subtle signals that the changes are occurring. However, these subtle signals can be missed.

Here are a few common signs of kidney problems you should not ignore:

• Extreme fatigue
• Tiredness that you cannot seem to shake.
• Any changes in your normal urination pattern
• Mild discomfort in the lower back.

Key Warning Signs of Kidney Failure

As we continue to get sicker with kidney disease, the symptoms of kidney problems become very clear through the warning signs they give us and affect our daily life.

• Swelling in the ankles or legs is a visual symptom of a kidney (CKD) concern because the kidneys are not eliminating excess fluids properly through the urine.
• If you frequently urinate at night, you could be developing a kidney problem because your kidneys lose the ability to concentrate urine in the evening.
• Blood in urine causes can be because of kidney dysfunction, such as an infection or injury from stones.
• Foamy urine is another indicator of kidney problems, as it indicates the leakage of protein, and protein in the urine is one of the first indicators of damage to the kidneys’ filtration.
• Additionally, you should pay attention to the level of fatigue and weakness you may experience as early signs of kidney damage. Many kidney disease patients will feel tired and weak, even after little activity.
• Dull pain in the lower back, just below your ribs, on one or both sides, can be a warning sign of a kidney infection or damage due to kidney stones.

Taking Action for Better Kidney Health

To help improve kidney health, you can adopt simple lifestyle strategies such as remaining hydrated, controlling your blood sugar and pressure, eating healthy, fresh food, and limiting your intake of salt. Furthermore, seeing your doctor for regular check-ups will help you monitor your kidney health, and it is particularly important for those who have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of chronic kidney disease.

Signs of kidney problems you should not ignore require immediate treatment include any persistent symptoms. Therefore, the sooner you identify these signs, book your consultation with Dhee Hospitals for effective treatment with medication.

FAQs

Q: What are the first 3 signs of kidney disease?

The common early signs of kidney disease are being tired, having foamy urine, and experiencing swelling in the feet or legs.

Q: How will I know if my fatigue is from kidney disease?

If you are feeling tired in conjunction with swelling in your body, changes in your urine, or loss of appetite, you may want to visit your physician for a complete medical evaluation and tests.

Q: Is foamy urine always a sign of serious kidney disease?

Foam seen in urine is indicative of the presence of protein. An individual may have occasional foamy urine, which is usually normal. However, if you are consistently seeing foam in your urine, you need to consult with your physician.

Q: When should swelling in the legs and ankles, or a kidney issue, worry me?

If the swelling is persistent in the limbs and leaves a dent when pressed, if it occurs with other symptoms, then you should have your kidney function checked by a doctor.

Q: Can the loss of appetite be one of the kidney disease symptoms?

Usually, along with the accumulation of toxins within the bloodstream, it can also occur with nausea, so in this case, it would be called a red flag.

Q: Why urinate blood, and what do you do about it?

It could be due to multiple causes, such as infection (UTI), stone disease, or injury; see a medical provider as soon as possible, as opposed to ignoring it.

Q: Is increased urination at night a sign of the kidneys not functioning properly for older individuals?

To some extent, however, if it is sudden and/or worsening, there may be a sign of the kidneys’ inability to concentrate the urine.

Q: How do I know if my back pain is kidney pain?

Generally, back pain near kidneys is much higher up (rib cage area) and much deeper than lower back pain..

Q: What high creatinine symptoms should prompt a visit?

Signs of illness, such as appearing to be very sick, decreased amount of urine, swelling or water retention, or alteration in thinking, can indicate a need for medical evaluation.