What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Conditions?

The kidneys are critical organs that filter waste and fluid from your blood. Like all organs, the kidneys are susceptible to diseases and anomalies. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of certain conditions and follow up with your physician to get the proper treatment.

Kidney Infection

• Kidney infections often begin as urinary tract infections that travel up the bladder and into the kidneys. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical care, according to the Mayo Clinic. The most common signs of a kidney infection include back pain, fever, frequent urination and pain upon urinating. Women are at much greater risk than men for a kidney infection. Some people with kidney infections will also suffer from hematuria, the presence of pus and blood in the urine.

Kidney Stones

• Kidney stones form from mineral and salts trapped inside the kidney. While treatment is often not necessary, passing a kidney stone can be quite painful depending on its size. In many cases, kidney stones are asymptomatic until they pass into the ureter, the tube where the kidney and the bladder connect. At that point, symptoms emerge, including severe back pain, painful urination, discolored urine, fever, chills and nausea.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

• Polycystic kidney disease is characterized by clusters of cysts that develop on the kidneys. According to the Mayo Clinic, this disease can take many years to develop with no signs or symptoms. When symptoms do arise, such as high blood pressure, headache, backache, bloody urine or a urinary tract infection, they indicate progression of the disease. In severe cases, polycystic kidney disease can lead to kidney stones and eventual kidney failure.

Renal Failure

• Failing kidneys can no longer filter the blood effectively. There are numerous signs of kidney failure, but most individuals affected won't know until the organs have lost most of their function. Signs include high blood pressure, fatigue, anemia, headaches, and problems with sleep, urination and bowel movements.