2. Puffy Eyes in the Morning
Many people wake up with slightly puffy eyes after a poor night’s sleep. However, when you consistently notice swelling or puffiness around your eyes, it may be more than just tiredness. This unusual puffiness can be linked to protein leaking into your urine rather than staying in your body where it belongs.
Since protein is essential for building muscles, repairing tissues, and maintaining overall health, losing it through urine is a red flag for kidney damage. If morning puffiness is becoming your daily companion, your kidneys may not be functioning as they should.
3. Swelling in Hands, Ankles, or Feet
Your kidneys play a key role in regulating fluid balance and sodium levels in the body. When they begin to fail, excess fluid and salt can accumulate, leading to noticeable swelling in the extremities. This condition, called edema, is most often seen in the ankles, feet, and sometimes even the hands.
Swelling related to kidney issues is typically more than just occasional bloating. It can make shoes feel tighter, leave imprints from socks on your skin, or cause general discomfort when walking. If you regularly notice swelling without another clear reason, it’s worth paying attention to your kidney health.
4. Foamy or Bubbly Urine
Everyone experiences occasional bubbles in urine, often caused by the speed of urination. However, if your urine consistently looks foamy or bubbly, it could indicate proteinuria—a condition where too much protein leaks through the kidneys.
Proteinuria is one of the earliest warning signs of kidney disease. Since kidneys are supposed to keep essential proteins in the body rather than losing them through urine, foamy urine that does not go away should not be ignored. It is your body’s way of signaling that something deeper may be wron