Kidney Disease Symptoms

Kidney disease symptoms can sometimes look like another medical condition, making it challenging to identify. There are several possible causes of kidney disease, so you may only have a couple of these symptoms. If you have even a couple of these symptoms, you'll want to check with your doctor unless you have another diagnosed medical condition that can explain them.

Protein in Your Urine
If you find out your urine tests come back with protein in them, you will want to ask your doctor if there is any reason to believe that you have kidney problems.

Blood in Your Urine
Blood in your urine can be a sign of a bladder infection, a urinary tract infection or a kidney infection. Chronic kidney infections can become a type of kidney disease that requires a doctor's treatment and supervision. Follow up with your doctor if you see blood in your urine.

Burning Sensation When You Urinate
If you feel burning when you urinate, you may have a urinary tract infection, a bladder infection, a kidney infection or problems with your kidney function. Make sure your doctor looks for signs of kidney disease if this does not go away after you take antibiotics.

Frequent or Excessive Urination
While this can also be a sign of diabetes, the effects of age on a weakened bladder, a urinary tract infection, a bladder infection or a kidney infection, it is also a common symptom of kidney disease. It can be a symptom that your kidneys are filtering out too much fluid from your body, putting you at risk of dehydration. 

Edema
If you experience swelling of your ankles, calves, feet or legs, you may want to look into possible kidney problems. Edema can result from the kidneys not filtering out excess fluid, causing a back up of fluid and waste in your system.

High Blood Pressure
This is a tricky symptom. High blood pressure can both be the cause of kidney damage as well as a symptom of existing kidney damage. It is a very common symptom, especially for smokers, the obese and older people. If you have high blood pressure, you'll want to ask your doctor to screen for evidence of kidney damage from time to time.

Metallic Taste in Your Mouth
This is a classic sign of a build up of toxins in your system as a result of kidney disease. Tell your doctor as soon as possible, especially if you have other symptoms listed above.

Nausea and Vomiting
As kidney disease progresses, you'll find yourself losing your appetite and having trouble keeping down meals. This is because of the build up of waste in your system. Seek help if these symptoms persist.