10 Warning Signs Your Kidneys May Not Be Working Properly

Foamy urine can sometimes indicate protein in the urine. Occasional bubbles can occur normally because of the force of urination or substances in the toilet water. Persistent or unusually foamy urine, particularly when it repeatedly appears despite flushing, can sometimes be associated with proteinuria. Proteinuria means that more protein than expected is passing through the kidneys into the urine. A laboratory urine test is required to determine whether excess protein is actually present.

Visible blood in urine should also be medically evaluated. Blood can make urine appear pink, red, brown or cola-colored, although some causes produce blood that can only be detected under a microscope. Kidney disease is one possible explanation, but urinary tract infections, kidney stones, prostate conditions and other disorders can also cause bleeding. Certain foods and medications can even change urine color without blood being present. Because the possibilities range from minor to serious, visible blood in urine should not simply be attributed to kidney disease without testing.

Painful urination is another symptom that should not automatically be labeled as chronic kidney disease. Burning or pain while urinating is commonly associated with urinary tract problems such as infection. Kidney infections can also produce urinary symptoms, fever and pain around the side or back. A clinician may use urine testing and other examinations to determine the cause. Treating every urinary symptom as evidence of kidney failure can create unnecessary fear and may distract from other conditions that require different treatment.

Back or flank pain deserves similar caution. The kidneys are located toward the back of the upper abdomen, but chronic kidney disease itself often does not produce the kind of persistent back pain sometimes claimed in online symptom lists. Kidney stones, kidney infections and certain other kidney conditions can cause significant pain. Musculoskeletal problems are also extremely common causes of back discomfort. Pain therefore needs to be evaluated according to its location, severity and accompanying symptoms rather than assumed to represent declining kidney filtration.

Pain associated with kidney stones can be severe and may radiate from the side or back toward the lower abdomen or groin. A kidney infection can cause pain together with fever, chills and urinary symptoms. These are different medical problems from the gradual loss of kidney function seen in many cases of chronic kidney disease. Distinguishing among them matters because treatment is different. Persistent or severe pain, particularly with fever, vomiting or urinary changes, warrants appropriate medical evaluation.