Kidney problem symptoms are alike in many ways. Sometimes it takes a series of kidney tests to determine whether you have a kidney infection or kidney stones. But there are some differences too.

In certain instances, kidney problems symptoms can be “silent.” An individual may never know a kidney problem is developing until a significant amount of kidney damage has occurred. This typically happens when you have chronic kidney failure.

But in other cases, symptoms of kidney problems occur suddenly and trigger severe, even agonizing pain. Such symptoms are typical if you have kidney stones or acute kidney failure.

This article is intended to give you a short description of kidney problems symptoms for the most common kidney conditions and disorders. Call your doctor as soon as you can if you begin to experience the symptoms of kidney problems described below. Some kidney conditions and disorders are life-threatening and constitute a medical emergency.

Kidney disease describes a condition that occurs when the nephrons - tiny structures that filter wastes and toxins from the blood - have become damaged. Such damages results in reduced kidney function. Two of the primary symptoms of kidney disease are dark, cloudy, or blood-tinged urine and pain while urinating. Those who have kidney disease feel they have to urinate more frequently than normal - but their trips to the bathroom produce little in the way of results. Your blood pressure is likely to go up, and you’ll experience muscle weakness, fatigue and a lack of energy.

Another type of kidney problem is a kidney condition, which may occur in one of two forms: chronic or acute. Kidney infections begin when germs enter the urinary tract and start multiplying. In chronic cases, years may pass before any symptoms appear. But acute infection symptoms can come on quickly and cause intense discomfort. Acute symptoms include back pain, fever or chills, nausea, cloudy, foul smelling urine, and unexplained weakness and fatigue.

Kidney failure occurs when kidney disease or kidney infection symptoms go unnoticed or are ignored. The kidneys stop filtering the blood, removing toxins and wastes that can be harmful to your metabolism. As fluids begin to accumulate, someone with kidney failure will notice generalized swelling. Shortness of breath is common, as is fatigue, lethargy and overall weakness. As kidney failure progresses, more fluids build up and symptoms become more pronounced. There is even less desire to eat, fatigue and lethargy increase, and intellectual capabilities lessen. Kidney failure is a life-threatening medical emergency. Someone with complete kidney failure has only two options for survival: dialysis or a kidney transplantation.

Kidney stones are pebble-like structures that form when crystals in your urine cling together. These structures, which actually look and feel like small stones, can grow as large as a golf ball. Severe back pain is the most prominent symptom of a kidney stone. The pain usually occurs in the back or “flank” area, but it may radiate to the abdomen or even the genital area. Kidney stone symptoms are similar to other symptoms for kidney problems in that you feel the need to urinate frequently, even though little urine is actually produced. When urine is actually released, it’s probably going to look dark or cloudy and it will also have an unpleasant odor. Nausea and vomiting are possible.

Kidney cancer is characterized by many of the same symptoms of kidney problems that you find in other kidney diseases. Kidney cancer patients often lose weight for unexplained reasons and suffer anemia. Night sweats and hypertension (high blood pressure) are also common.

Kidney cysts, like some other kidney problems, often go unnoticed for years. Cysts are pouches of fluid, air or calcium that form on the kidneys. The calcium types can be extremely painful. Discolored urine is one of the primary symptoms of this condition. Pain can occur in either the back or abdomen. In some instances, there are no symptoms at all even though cysts may be present for many years.

Kidney damage can result from causes besides disease or sickness. Sometimes, kidney tissue can be damaged because of a vehicular accident or a heavy blow during sports competition. When the kidney are damaged, symptoms often include back pain, abdominal pain and swelling, and cloudy or bloody urine. Other prominent symptoms include decreased alertness, higher-than-normal heart rate, pale skin, nausea and vomiting.

Kidney problem symptoms should be taken seriously. If you start experiencing symptoms like some of those described in this article, you should get medical attention right away.

Click on signs and symptoms of kidney problems and kidney disease symptoms to learn more about kidney problems. Neal Kennedy is a retired radio and TV journalist with a special interest in health and fitness topics.

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