Do you feel sick with kidney disease?
John Thompson
Updated on January 05, 2026
Chronic kidney disease & COVID-19
Chronic kidney disease includes conditions that damage your kidneys and decrease their ability to keep you healthy by filtering wastes from your blood. If kidney disease worsens, wastes can build to high levels in your blood and make you feel sick.How does your body feel when you have kidney disease?
And as kidney disease progresses, you may notice the following symptoms. Nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, swelling via feet and ankles, dry, itchy skin, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, urinating either too much or too little.What are signs that your kidneys are not working properly?
If your kidneys aren't working properly, you may notice one or more of the following signs: Fatigue (extreme tiredness) An upset stomach or vomiting. Confusion or trouble concentrating.What are the 3 early warning signs of kidney disease?
Here are three signs that could indicate that you are beginning to experience a decline in kidney function.
- Dizziness and Fatigue. One of the first possible signs of weakening kidneys is the experience of overall weakness in yourself and your overall health. ...
- Swelling (Edema) ...
- Changes in urination.
How long can you have kidney disease without knowing?
Around 90 percent of people who have this condition are unaware they have it. 2 out of 5 adults who have CKD don't know they have severe chronic kidney disease. People with CKD can live for years without knowing, as it doesn't always have the most clearly defined symptoms.Kidney (Renal) Disease Signs & Symptoms (ex. Peripheral Edema, Fatigue, Itchiness)
What are the symptoms of stage 1 kidney disease?
Signs and symptoms of Stage 1 CKD include:
- High blood pressure.
- Swelling in your hands or feet.
- Urinary tract infections.
- Protein in your urine.
- Blood in your urine (also called hematuria)
- Kidney damage that shows up in an ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, or kidney biopsy.