The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) states that approximately 14% of the American population is currently living with some form of chronic kidney disease. Even more frightening, more than 661,000 Americans have experienced full kidney failure.

Your kidneys serve a very important role in our overall health, eliminating wastes and excess fluids. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) refers to kidney damage or a decreased level of kidney function that lasts for 3 months or longer. It often starts slowly, developing over a number of years with increasingly severe symptoms. In some cases, it can even lead to kidney failure. For this reason, early diagnosis is important.

Here are 12 Early Symptoms of Kidney Disease:

1. Brain Fog

When your body experiences a lack of oxygen, it negatively impacts its ability to act efficiently. This can present itself as memory loss, dizziness or an inability to concentrate.

2. Anemia/Tiredness

When you are experiencing decreased renal function this causes the body to produce less of the hormone erythropoietin (EPO). A decrease in EPO starves the body for vital oxygen, which, in turn, can cause anemia or extreme fatigue.

3. Muscle Cramps

The combination of lack of oxygen being delivered to your muscles as well as the build-up of toxins and wastes can cause your muscles to cramp up.

4. Breathlessness

When your body experiences a lowered level of oxygen in the blood this can impact the ability of the lungs to function. Fluid retention in the body can also accumulate in the lungs inhibiting your ability to breath easily.

5. Back Pain

One of the less common symptoms, those who are experiencing Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) can result in pain near the kidneys in the area of the upper back. Pain may also be felt off to the side that corresponds with the affected kidney.

6. Chills

Patients diagnosed with anemia have reported that they often experience the chills or feelings of being excessively cold, even when they are in hot conditions, or others around them are complaining about the heat.

7. Urination Issues

Changes in urination can signal problems with your kidneys. This may include either a greater or decreased quantity of urine compared to normal, the urge to urinate with no flow, frequent urination urges, blood in the urine, foamy or bubbly urine, a burning sensation while urinating or an increased frequency or urinary tract infections.

8. Bad Breath

When toxic wastes accumulate in the blood (also known as uremia), it can cause you to experience bad breath and a metallic taste. This bad taste can also negatively impact your appetite, ultimately resulting in weight loss.

9. Rashes

When your body fails to eliminate wastes and toxins effectively from the body, the accumulation can lead to visible reactions of the skin such as rashes or skin eruptions. You may also find yourself feeling excessively itchy.

10. Swelling and/or Puffiness

When your kidneys fail to expel fluids efficiently from the body, this fluid retention can lead to a feeling of swelling or puffiness in the face, hands, legs, ankles or feet.

11. Nausea

Uremia not only causes bad breath but can also manifest in the form of various levels of nausea, as well as vomiting.

12. Weight Loss

A combination of some of the above-listed symptoms can lead to significant weight loss including the bad, metallic taste in your mouth, nausea, and vomiting.