Health Topics A-Z

What Are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of kidney disease include:

• Increased urination at night.
• The passing of very small amounts of urine.
• Swelling, particularly of the hands and feet, and puffiness around the eyes.
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth and urine-like odor to the breath.
• Persistent fatigue or shortness of breath.
• Loss of appetite.
• Increasingly higher blood pressure.
• Pale skin.
• Excessively dry, persistently itchy skin.
• In children: increased fatigue and sleepiness; decrease in appetite; and eventually, poor growth.

Call Your Doctor If:

You are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. Although any of them may indicate another disorder, each is one of the warning signs of kidney disease, which is a life-threatening illness. Consult your doctor without delay.