If you mean the article/topic “Your Kidneys May Be Sending Warning Signals While You Sleep – Here Are 5 to Watch For,” the key point is that some nighttime symptoms can occur with kidney disease—but none of these signs by themselves proves that your kidneys are failing.
5 nighttime warning signs to know
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Waking up frequently to urinate (nocturia)
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Healthy kidneys concentrate urine while you sleep.
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With some forms of kidney dysfunction, the kidneys may lose some of that concentrating ability, causing increased nighttime urination.
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However, nocturia is also common with aging, diabetes, prostate problems, pregnancy, certain medications, sleep apnea, and drinking fluids late in the evening.
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Swelling in your legs, ankles, feet, or around your eyes
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Damaged kidneys may have difficulty removing excess sodium and fluid.
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Fluid accumulation can produce swelling (edema), which may be particularly noticeable after lying down.
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Heart and liver conditions, medications, and other problems can cause edema too.
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Foamy or unusually bubbly urine
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Persistent foam can sometimes indicate protein in the urine (proteinuria).
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Proteinuria can occur when the kidney’s filtering units are damaged.
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Occasional bubbles—especially from a strong urine stream or concentrated urine—aren’t necessarily concerning.
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Itching that becomes noticeable at night
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More advanced kidney disease can cause significant itching (pruritus), partly because waste products and changes in mineral balance can affect the skin and nervous system.
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There are many other possible causes of nighttime itching, including dry skin, allergies, medications, and liver or thyroid disorders.
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Muscle cramps, restless legs, or unusual nighttime discomfort
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Kidney disease can be associated with disturbances in electrolytes and minerals, anemia, and buildup of metabolic waste.
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These can contribute to cramps, restless legs, sleep disturbances, or generalized discomfort.
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Again, these symptoms are nonspecific and don’t establish a kidney diagnosis.
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Other symptoms worth paying attention to
Kidney disease can be surprisingly silent, particularly in its earlier stages. Other possible clues include persistent fatigue, nausea, reduced appetite, changes in urination, blood in the urine, difficulty concentrating, and high blood pressure.
The important distinction is that symptoms alone aren’t a reliable way to determine kidney function. Kidney problems are commonly detected with blood and urine testing, particularly:
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Serum creatinine and estimated GFR (eGFR) — assess how well the kidneys are filtering.
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Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) — looks for albumin leaking into the urine.
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Blood pressure measurement — high blood pressure is both a risk factor for and consequence of kidney disease.
When to seek medical attention
Seek urgent medical care if you develop severe shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, very little or no urine, or rapidly worsening swelling.
If you’re repeatedly experiencing several of the symptoms above—especially foamy urine, blood in the urine, persistent swelling, or a major change in urination—it’s reasonable to arrange a medical evaluation rather than trying to determine the cause from symptoms alone.
If you’d like, I can also explain the 5 nighttime kidney signs in detail, including what each one looks/feels like and when it becomes concerning.