Can you spot kidney disease?
March 13, 2025—Ever wonder how your kidneys are doing? This pair of hardworking organs may not cross your mind too often, but they perform many important jobs. That's why keeping an eye on your kidney health is key.
More than 1 in 7 adults in the U.S. has chronic kidney disease (CKD), and according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, as many as 90% of those people don't know they have it. That may be because CKD sometimes doesn't cause symptoms until later stages of the disease. But knowing what to watch for—and what to do about it—can help you protect your kidneys.
Your kidneys at work
Your kidneys remove water and waste from your body through urine. The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) says that they also play a key role in many other health processes, including:
- Making red blood cells.
- Keeping bones healthy.
- Maintaining blood pressure.
- Balancing minerals.
When your kidneys are damaged, they can't do their jobs as well. This puts you at risk for many serious health conditions, such as:
- Kidney failure.
- Heart disease.
- Stroke.
- Anemia (low red blood cell levels).
- High blood pressure.
- Nerve damage.
- Mineral and bone disorders.
What is chronic kidney disease?
When kidney damage continues for three months or more, it's called CKD. People who have CKD may not notice symptoms right away. Sometimes there aren't any. When CKD does cause symptoms, they may include:
- Dry, itchy skin.
- Continuously puffy eyes.
- Bloody or foamy (bubbly) urine.
- Urinating more often.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Lack of energy.
- Swollen or numb legs, ankles, feet or arms.
- Muscle cramps.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- More frequent thirst.
- Lack of appetite.
- Difficulty concentrating.
Know your risk
Since CKD is sometimes hard to spot, knowing your risk factors—and when to get a screening test—can help you detect the disease early. The NKF recommends yearly screening for kidney disease if you:
- Have a family history of kidney failure.
- Have diabetes.
- Have high blood pressure.
- Are over the age of 60.
Other factors may also damage your kidneys over time. Talk to your doctor about screening if you:
- Have heart disease.
- Smoke or use tobacco products.
- Are obese.
- Have a family history of CKD or a personal history of acute kidney injury.
- Have severe infections or certain kidney or urinary tract diseases.
Time to get screened
Screening is the best way to catch kidney disease early, when it can likely be managed more effectively. Screening includes two main lab tests:
- The eGFR blood test looks at how well your kidneys are taking waste products out of your blood.
- The uACR urine test looks at how well your kidneys filter and maintain two substances called creatinine and albumin.
Talk with your doctor about CKD and your risk factors for the condition. They can help you decide if and when to be screened.
Sources
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. "Kidney Disease Statistics for the United States." https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/kidney-disease.
- National Kidney Foundation. "6-Step Guide to Protecting Kidney Health." https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/6-step-guide-to-protecting-kidney-health.
- National Kidney Foundation. "10 Signs You May Have Kidney Disease." https://www.kidney.org/news-stories/10-signs-you-may-have-kidney-disease.
- National Kidney Foundation. "Chronic Kidney Disease." https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd.