Constant Tiredness and Swollen Legs? You Might Be Ignoring Kidney Warning Signs

We all feel exhausted after a long day or experience swelling in our legs occasionally. But when these symptoms become frequent, persistent, or worsen over time, they could be more than just fatigue or lifestyle-related issues. They might be early signs of kidney disease a silent threat that often goes unnoticed until it's too late.

Understanding Your Kidneys: Silent But Vital

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located just below your rib cage, one on each side of your spine. Their primary job is to filter waste and excess fluids from your blood, which are then excreted in your urine. They also help regulate blood pressure, produce red blood cells, and maintain electrolyte balance.

Despite their importance, kidney disease often progresses silently. You may not experience any obvious symptoms until significant damage has already occurred. That’s why identifying early signs of kidney disease is crucial for prevention and timely treatment.

1. Constant Tiredness or Fatigue

Feeling tired all the time, even after a full night’s sleep? This could be a red flag.

One of the functions of the kidneys is to secrete the hormone erythropoietin that signals the body to create red blood cells. When kidney function declines, less hormone will be secreted and this can lead to anemia. Anemia decreases the oxygen-carrying capacity of your blood and may lead to chronic fatigue, weakness, or even shortness of breath.

Don’t ignore:

• Feeling drained even after rest
• Difficulty concentrating or staying awake during the day
• Lightheadedness or dizzy spells
   

2. Swollen Legs, Ankles, or Feet

Swelling, particularly below the waist, can indicate that the kidneys are not properly removing excess fluids and sodium from your body. Fluid retention is also a common early sign of kidney issues.      

Swelling can develop slowly and may not be noticed at first, or can be misdiagnosed as standing too long or poor circulation. After a period of time, the swelling becomes more evident and may be constant.

Watch for:

• Puffy feet or ankles at the end of the day
• Socks leaving deep indentations on your skin
• Weight gain due to fluid retention

3. Changes in Urination

Kidneys regulate urine production so any changes in urination habits should be taken seriously.

Early signs of kidney disease related to urination include:

• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Foamy or bubbly urine
• Blood in urine (hematuria)
• Difficulty urinating or reduced urine output
• Unusual color or odor

These changes may point to underlying kidney inflammation or damage to the filtering units (nephrons).

4. Persistent Puffiness Around the Eyes

Puffiness or swelling around your eyes, especially in the morning, can be a common but overlooked symptom that your kidneys are leaking protein in your urine (proteinuria). This occurs when the filters of the kidney have been damaged and can no longer hold the necessary proteins in your blood.    

If you have noticed that puffiness (swelling) beneath your eyes does not go away even with rest or skin care products, you may consider having your kidneys checked.

5. High Blood Pressure That’s Hard to Control

Kidneys play a part in regulating your blood pressure, by managing fluid balance and creating hormones that affect tones of blood vessels. Damaged kidneys can interfere with that regulation and result in high blood pressure, and in some cases exacerbate existing hypertension. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a cause and a consequence of kidney disease. If you notice your BP is high and remains high despite medication and lifestyle changes, consider getting a kidney function test.

6. Metallic Taste or Bad Breath

A decline in kidney function can lead to a build-up of waste in your blood, leading to bad breath, a metallic taste in your mouth or a reduced interest in food. Some individuals had said that the food doesn’t taste the same. This symptom is referred to as uremia. The symptomatic changes are not harmful, but are caused by a condition in which waste products are retained in blood because the kidneys are no longer competent at doing their job.

7. Muscle Cramps and Restless Legs

Electrolyte imbalances (especially calcium, phosphorus, and potassium) are common when there are issues with kidneys. An imbalance in electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps, twitches or restless leg syndrome, especially in sleep states. If your legs seem unusually restless, or you frequently get nighttime cramps, don’t think of it as “just stress” - It could be a subtle sign of a potential kidney issue.

Why Early Detection Matters

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects approximately 10% of the population globally; however, most people don’t find out until it is too late. There are many ways to prevent severely damaged kidneys from reaching the stage where treatment options are limited, such as dialysis or transplant.

If you are able to detect CKD early, there are things you can do to intervene to potentially slow down the damage to your kidneys, or even stop the progression of kidney damage. Simple blood tests like serum creatinine, and urine tests like albumin-to-creatinine ratio are easy to measure which leads to understanding your kidney functions.

Take Action: Book Your Kidney Health Check at GEM Hospital

If you have been fatigued constantly, have noticed bloating/swelling in your legs, or any of the symptoms mentioned, don’t wait until it gets worse.

GEM Hospital has comprehensive kidney health diagnostics with timely treatment plans újanja's clinical assessment and protocols by health service providers who focus on prevention auto pass while ensuring a personalized treatment decision.

Book your appointment today , find your nearest GEM Hospital and visit today.