Our kidneys do some incredibly important things for our bodies. When our kidneys are healthy, they do an amazing job of cleaning out excess water and waste while keeping our bones strong, keeping our hormones in balance, and controlling our blood pressure. So when kidneys aren't healthy, it is easy to see that it can negatively impact our health.

But it can often be hard to tell if our kidneys are having an issue. The only sure way to know is to see your doctor and have a screening. Even if you have no symptoms at all, it is important to be tested regularly if you have high blood pressure or diabetes, or if you are over 60 years old.

Even if you believe yourself to be in perfect health, if you have one or more of the following symptoms of kidney disease, it might be time to have some blood work done. The faster you catch a problem, the easier it is to treat it.

Urination Issues

If you notice that you are regularly having to get up a lot more often at night to urinate, feel pressure when you urinate, or that your urine is foamy, these could be signs of a problem. Also, if you have difficulty urinating or there is blood present, these are signs you should see your doctor.

Fatigue

If you find that your energy levels have dropped significantly for a period of time, it could be a sign of an issue. Sleeping a lot, mental fogginess, and difficulty keeping up with your job are definite reasons to be concerned.

Swelling

When your kidneys are not properly removing extra fluid, it can lead to swelling, particularly in the feet, ankles, legs, hands, and face. If you notice a lot of swelling that won't go away after a few days, especially combined with other symptoms, it is time to see your doctor.

Ammonia Breath or Shortness of Breath

When toxins and waste build up in your body, you may notice it in your breath - either with a nasty, metalic taste in your mouth or foul smelling breath. Fluid buildup in the chest can lead to shortness of breath and heart issues. These could be signs of a serious issue.

Chronic Itching

When waste builds up in the body, it can sometimes cause deep itching - the kind of "to the bone" itching that makes you want to claw through your skin, especially in the legs. If you have the kind of itching that can't be relieved through normal measures, especially in combination with other symptoms, it might be time to see your doctor.

Appetite and Digestion

A sudden loss of appetite should be a matter of concern for many reasons. Likewise, unexplained nausea and vomiting is something to keep an eye on. Any of these things can be a sign of a serious issue.

Any of the symptoms of kidney disease listed here can be attributed to any number of things, but the only way to know for sure is to talk to your doctor and run some tests. Kidney problems can get quite serious, leading to medications, dialysis, and even death. Don't take chances with your health. Your life and well being are too important. Healthy kidneys are happy kidneys, making for a much happier you!