Signs & Symptoms of Kidney Disorder

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  There are several kidney diseases and disorders, and some may have no symptoms at all until later stages of the disease. There are, however, general signs and symptoms that the kidneys may be damaged or their function compromised. These signs and symptoms may not appear with all kidney diseases and disorders, and they may even indicate other illnesses, but they are a good place to start. If you suspect that you have a kidney disorder, consult your physician.
  
  

Urinary Changes

• One of the primary functions of the kidneys is to make urine. Urinating more often, blood in the urine or difficulty urinating may all indicate a problem with the kidneys. Changes in the quantity of urine and when you urinate may also point to a kidney disease or disorder. This symptom may also indicate illnesses, like diabetes and hypertension, which can damage the kidneys if left untreated.
  
  

Swelling

• The kidneys remove excess fluid from the blood. When the kidneys fail, this fluid builds up in the tissues causing swelling---especially in the lower extremities, hands and face. The face, hands and ankles may look puffy, even if the rest of the body remains slim.
  
  

Shortness of Breath and Fatigue

• Because the kidneys can't remove fluid as efficiently, some of that fluid may build up in the lungs, causing difficulty breathing.
  
  Kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin, which is crucial to forming the red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. When the kidneys fail, they make less of this hormone, and the body has fewer red blood cells and gets less oxygen--a condition called anemia. Anemia can lead to shortness of breath, and both conditions cause fatigue. Anemia can also cause dizziness and trouble concentrating.
  
  

Rashes, Itching, Nausea, Vomiting and a Metallic Taste in the Mouth

• In addition to water, the kidneys also remove waste from the blood and flush it from the body in the urine. A kidney disorder may cause those wastes to build up in the body where it is excreted through the skin, causing rashes and itching. The build-up of toxins can also cause nausea, vomiting and a metallic taste in the mouth.
  
  

Easy Bruising and Bleeding

• Bruising and bleeding, beyond normal, often occurs as the kidney damage worsens. Patients may also bruise and bleed for a long time after receiving an initial injury.
  
  

Leg and Flank Pain

• The kidneys are located in the lower back and you may feel pain in the lower back and along the side of the affected kidney. You may also feel pain down the leg on the affected side. If both kidneys are affected, you may feel pain across the entire lower back.