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Kidney disease, which affects one in seven Americans<\/a>, is more than twice as common as coronary heart disease, which affects one in 20 American adults<\/a>. And yet, kidney disease is very easy to miss. That\u2019s why we asked doctors for the subtle kidney disease symptoms you should watch for, especially if you have an increased risk of developing the condition.<\/p>\n \u201cSymptoms of kidney damage are typically very subtle, and by the time you notice them, there is usually already serious harm done,\u201d said Jeremy Allen, D.O.<\/a>, a family medicine physician with Brookwood Baptist Health Primary Care in Pelham, AL. \u201cIt is possible to lose as much as 90% of kidney function without having any overt symptoms.\u201d That\u2019s a problem because your kidneys play the essential role of filtering your blood, regulating blood pressure, maintaining strong bones, and supporting red blood cell production, per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases<\/a> (NIDDK).<\/p>\n Meet the experts: Jeremy Allen, D.O.<\/a>, a family medicine physician with Brookwood Baptist Health Primary Care in Pelham, AL; Mateo Ledezma, M.D.<\/a>, a nephrologist with Kaiser Permanente.<\/p>\n One important way to lower your risk of developing kidney disease is to keep your blood sugar and blood pressure under control. According to the NIDDK<\/a>, diabetes<\/a> and high blood pressure are the two most common causes of kidney disease, with one in three people with diabetes and one in five people with hypertension developing the condition.<\/p>\n You can also ask for a full blood workup at your annual checkup\u2014and review any medications you\u2019re currently taking. If your bloodwork shows high levels of the waste product creatinine, your doctor might order additional blood tests, urine tests, or kidney scans. Likewise, Dr. Allen said your doctor can help you pinpoint medications that are toxic to your kidneys\u2014\u201clike some NSAIDs, certain antibiotics, or lithium or iodine-containing medications\u201d\u2014and suggest other treatments.<\/p>\n But if something seems amiss, don\u2019t wait until your annual exam to bring it up. While kidney disease is often silent, there are some warning signs that can help you catch it early\u2014as long as you know what to look for.<\/p>\n Common kidney disease symptomsSwollen ankles<\/p>\n Your kidneys remove waste and excess fluid from your body by producing urine. \u201cIf the kidneys slow down or do not work well, then fluid can be retained,\u201d said Mateo Ledezma, M.D.<\/a>, a nephrologist with Kaiser Permanente. \u201cThis can result in persistent swelling in tissue.\u201d Swelling caused by excess fluid in the body is called edema and happens most often in the feet, ankles, and legs, per the Cleveland Clinic<\/a>.<\/p>\n Infrequent urination<\/p>\n When more fluid is stuck in your tissues, less is being flushed out\u2014meaning you may be peeing less than usual. If you notice you\u2019re drinking the same amount you normally do, but urinating less frequently, it may be worth bringing up with your doctor. According to the Cleveland Clinic<\/a>, low urine output is most common in people with certain types of kidney disease that can cause acute kidney injury.<\/p>\n Fatigue<\/p>\n \u201cPart of the function of the kidneys is to help regulate a person\u2019s hemoglobin level,\u201d explained Dr. Ledezma. Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells that helps circulate oxygen throughout the body. When something goes wrong with your kidneys, your hemoglobin levels can drop and you can become anemic\u2014making you feel tired and weak.<\/p>\n Nausea or loss of appetite<\/p>\n When waste builds up in your system because your kidneys aren\u2019t filtering it out, it can start to mess with other parts of your body. Per the Mayo Clinic<\/a>, this can lead to nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite and just generally make you feel sick.<\/p>\n High blood pressure<\/p>\n Once your kidneys are damaged, they can\u2019t effectively regulate your blood pressure. At the same time, the force of your blood pounding against your vessels stretches them, causing further damage by scarring and weakening the blood vessels in your kidneys. According to the NIDDK<\/a>, high blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure in the U.S., while kidney disease may also exacerbate or cause high blood pressure<\/a> or make it more difficult to control.<\/p>\n Heart palpitations<\/p>\n \u201cIf your kidney damage is causing a build-up of potassium, you might notice an abnormal heartbeat,\u201d said Dr. Allen. Your heartbeat might seem fast or irregular, or you may feel like your heart is fluttering.<\/p>\n Brain fog<\/p>\n