Could you have chronic kidney disease — and not know it? 

The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor.  

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located below the rib cage. Their main job is to filter waste from the body. When they’re not functioning properly — which can happen when you have chronic kidney disease — this waste can build up, causing long-term problems. Being able to spot, and treat, kidney disease early on is key to preventing permanent kidney damage. 

Kidney disease is one of the fastest growing diseases in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About 37 million Americans currently have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). But the CDC believes that as many as 9 in 10 adults with CKD may not know that they have it.  

One reason: The earliest stages of kidney disease are often symptomless. In fact, it may take a while before you notice any symptoms at all, explains Jennifer Payton, MHCA, RN, CNN, president of the American Nephrology Nurses Association. 

That’s where screening comes in. By taking simple blood and urine tests for CKD, health care providers can determine if your kidneys are working well. If they’re not, early treatment can begin, potentially saving your kidneys from long-term damage. 

The higher your risk, the more important screening is. 

Risk factors for chronic kidney disease 

There are major risk factors for chronic kidney disease. If you have any of the following, talk to your primary care provider. You can also discuss any health concerns during a health and wellness assessment that takes place at your home or virtually and is part of your health plan. 

• Diabetes. High blood sugar damages the blood vessels that provide oxygen to the kidneys. This damage causes the kidneys to not work as well as they should.
• High blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) can narrow, or constrict, blood vessels throughout the body, including in the kidneys. This constriction reduces blood flow, which can injure the kidney’s blood vessels so they no longer work properly.
• Age and ethnicity. CKD becomes more common as you age. In fact, it’s most common in people over age 65. White Americans have a lower rate of CKD. Blacks, Hispanics or Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders all have a higher risk of CKD.
• Family history. While CKD can run in families, it’s often due less to genetics and more to environmental factors like diet and lifestyle. Having conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes can put you at higher risk.
• Weight. Being overweight increases inflammation in the body, which has been linked to chronic diseases like CKD. It also increases pressure in the kidney’s blood vessels, increasing the risk of injury to them and putting you at higher risk of CKD. 

Ask about how often you need to get screened. This may be how you uncover CKD if you don’t have any early signs or symptoms.  

It’s important to know that you can’t reverse kidney damage that has already occurred. What you can do is prevent it from getting worse to preserve as much kidney function as possible.   

Get care between doctor visits without leaving home.

Book your no-cost home visit today.

8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET M–F; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Sat. (TTY: 711)

Get started

Get started

Symptoms of chronic kidney disease 

While CKD is symptomless in its early stages, symptoms can develop as it progresses. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your health care provider. It’s important to get screened right away. 

Early-stage CKD 

People who have early-stage CKD may not show signs or symptoms at all. Often, CKD is caught during a routine lab screening at your doctor’s office or during your yearly in-home health and wellness assessment that is available at no additional cost, thanks to your health plan. 

Mid-stage CKD 

At this stage, you may start to notice symptoms. These may include: 

• You feel the urge to pee more often. Or you may notice blood or foam in your urine.
• Your skin is dry and itchy. With CKD, you may have rough, irritated skin. You may also develop puffiness around your eyes.
• Your legs are swollen. When the kidneys can’t remove extra fluid from the body, this fluid can build up, most often in the legs and feet. This swelling, called edema, may also cause cramping.
• You’re more tired than usual. CKD may cause you to feel fatigued. Or you may have difficulty falling asleep at night, which can also cause fatigue during the day.
• You’re less interested in food. Having kidney disease can affect the way food tastes — and your appetite. It may also cause nausea, which can make you less interested in eating.  

If you notice any of these symptoms — and are at higher risk for kidney disease — it’s important to talk to your health care provider about screening. 

Late-stage CKD 

As CKD progresses, kidney function worsens and symptoms become more pronounced.  

The top three CKD symptoms to watch for include:  

1. You don’t feel well overall. At this point, mild CKD symptoms have become more pronounced. You may feel fatigued all the time. You may have little to no appetite, and your skin may constantly feel dry and itchy. You may also notice that your feet are always swollen and your urine is foamy.
2. You’ve fractured a bone. When you have CKD, the kidneys aren’t able to properly regulate minerals in the blood like calcium and phosphorus, which are important for strong bones. That leads to weaker bones, which can increase the chances of fractures from a minor injury.
3. You have breathing difficulties and heart palpitations. A buildup of acid occurs in the body when the kidneys aren’t working properly. That’s because one of the jobs of the kidneys is to balance out acid levels in the body’s fluids. This buildup, also known as metabolic acidosis, can cause cardiac and respiratory symptoms. 

Even in the later stages of CKD, there are still medical interventions that can help maintain kidney function. Your doctor can also help you treat your symptoms so you can remain comfortable living with CKD. 

If you have risk factors for chronic kidney disease, remaining proactive about your kidney health is crucial to maintaining the long-term health of your kidneys. That’s why it’s important to get the recommended screenings. This can help you, and your health care provider, stay informed about your kidney health — and take appropriate kidney-saving steps if necessary. 

See our sources: 
Your kidneys & how they work: National Institute of Health 
CKD in the United States: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
Quick kidney disease facts and stats: American Kidney Fund 
CKD risk factors: National Kidney Foundation 
High blood pressure and kidney disease: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 
Family history and kidney diseases: National Kidney Foundation 
Obesity and kidney disease: Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease 
Stages of CKD: National Kidney Foundation 
Signs of CKD: National Kidney Foundation 
Kidneys and bone health: National Kidney Foundation 
Mineral and bone disorder in CKD: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 
Metabolic acidosis: National Kidney Foundation