Kidney disease is now one of the fastest growing causes of death worldwide, and the most worrying thing is that 90% of people affected are unaware of their condition. The kidneys, located on either side of the lower back, play a crucial role in filtering toxins from the body, balancing essential minerals and maintaining stable blood pressure.

Their malfunctioning affects these vital functions, with symptoms often not very visible in the early stages. This article explores in detail eight telltale signs of kidney problems and offers tips for maintaining the health of these vital organs.

1. Changes in urine: frequency, color and texture
The kidneys produce urine, so their dysfunction is often manifested by visible changes in it. Typically, a healthy person urinates between 6 and 10 times a day. If you notice a sudden increase or decrease in urinary frequency, or if you have to get up several times a night to urinate, this may be a sign of a kidney problem.

Blood in the urine : The presence of blood, called hematuria, can indicate a kidney infection, kidney stones, tumors, or even kidney failure. This symptom manifests itself by a brownish, red or purple color of the urine, sometimes confused in women with a missed period.
Foamy urine : Urine with persistent bubbles or white foam may indicate protein leakage into the urine. This occurs when damaged kidney filters allow albumin (a protein) to pass through that would normally remain in the blood. This foam is similar to that seen when cooking eggs and should not be ignored.

2. Persistent fatigue
The kidneys remove toxins from the blood. When they are weakened, toxins build up, which can cause extreme fatigue, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. In addition, the kidneys produce erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen. A low red blood cell count reduces the amount of oxygen in the body, causing a chronic feeling of exhaustion, even after a night’s rest.

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