Early detection is the first step in treating chronic kidney disease. The symptoms of kidney disease may include: 1  Nausea and vomiting. 2  Passing only small amounts of urine. 3  Swelling, particularly of the ankles, and puffiness around the eyes. 4  Unpleasant taste in the mouth and urine-like odor to the breath. 5  Persistent fatigue or shortness of breath. 6  Loss of appetite. 7  Increasingly higher blood pressure.