Your kidneys work really hard, day and night, to keep your body healthy. They filter waste, balance fluids, and help control your blood pressure. But sometimes, your kidneys can start having problems, and when that happens, the signs often show up at night. Keep reading to learn the signs of kidney damage that can affect you, especially at night. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is best to see your doctor.

1. You Need to Get Up Often at Night to Pee

If you wake up a lot at night just to go to the bathroom, it could mean your kidneys aren’t working right. Usually, your kidneys make urine and keep your body’s fluids balanced. But if they’re not working well, you might need to pee more often at night. This is called nocturia.

For most people, getting up once or twice during the night is normal. But if it’s happening a lot more than that, it could be a sign that something is wrong with your kidneys. Of course, there are other reasons for needing to pee a lot at night, like drinking too much fluid, bladder problems, or an enlarged prostate, but kidney damage is also something to think about.

2. You Have Trouble Sleeping Because of Restless Legs or Cramps

Do your legs feel restless at night? Or do you wake up with painful muscle cramps? These could be signs of kidney problems. When your kidneys aren’t working well, they can’t keep the right balance of minerals like calcium and phosphorus. This can cause restless leg syndrome (RLS) or painful cramps, especially at night.

When your kidneys don’t work properly, toxins can build up in your body, which can make nerve and muscle problems worse. If you’re feeling restless or having painful cramps that wake you up, you should talk to your doctor.

3. Swelling in Your Feet, Ankles, or Hands Gets Worse at Night

Swelling, also called edema, can be a sign that your kidneys aren’t working well. Kidneys help keep the right amount of salt and water in your body. When they can’t do this, extra fluid can build up, causing swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands. This swelling often gets worse by the end of the day and can be uncomfortable when you’re trying to sleep.

Dr. Natalia Hapych, a certified family doctor, says that swelling caused by kidney problems usually gets more noticeable as the day goes on. If you see this kind of swelling, especially if you also feel tired or need to pee a lot, it’s time to see a doctor.

4. You Feel Short of Breath When Lying Down

If you have kidney problems, you might find it hard to breathe, especially when you lie down to sleep. This happens because your kidneys aren’t doing a good job of removing extra fluid, and that fluid can build up in your lungs.

This kind of shortness of breath can feel scary as if you can’t get enough air while resting. Many people with kidney issues say it feels like they just can’t fill their lungs all the way. If this happens a lot when you’re lying down, make sure to see your doctor.

5. You Feel Very Tired All the Time

When your kidneys aren’t filtering waste properly, toxins can build up in your blood. This can make you feel very tired all the time. This tiredness can make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep, which makes things even worse.

Healthy kidneys also make a hormone called erythropoietin, which helps your body make red blood cells. If your kidneys aren’t working well, they might not make enough of this hormone, leading to anemia. This can also make you feel tired all the time. If you feel exhausted, even after a good night’s sleep, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about your kidneys.

When to See a Doctor

If you have any of these symptoms often, don’t ignore them. Detecting kidney problems early can help prevent further damage and make treatment more effective. Your doctor can run tests like checking your blood for creatinine levels or doing urine tests to see how well your kidneys are working.

These symptoms can have different causes, but keeping your kidneys healthy is extremely important for your overall health. If you think there might be a problem, don’t hesitate to talk to a healthcare provider.

To sum it up, your kidneys work hard for you, and if they start having trouble, it’s important to take action quickly. Waking up a lot to pee, restless legs, swelling, shortness of breath, and feeling tired all the time are all warning signs. Seeing these symptoms early and talking to your doctor can really help.