Chronic Kidney Disease Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and do not function properly. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that are located just below the rib cage on both sides of the spine. They perform several important functions that affect almost every system in the body.

Chronic Kidney Disease Symptoms

The symptoms of chronic kidney disease depend on how advanced the condition is and whether other disorders are present. Early stages of chronic kidney disease may cause no symptoms at all, but later stages can cause a variety of problems including fatigue, weakness and swelling in the legs or abdomen. People with CRF may also experience muscle cramps or pain in their arms and legs due to poor circulation. They may urinate frequently during the day or night, have trouble concentrating and forgetful at times. In extreme cases, symptoms can include nausea and vomiting along with itching all over your body that’s worse at night time (called pruritus). Common Chronic kidney disease symptoms include:

Nausea and vomiting

Fatigue, tiredness and weakness

Itching

Muscle cramps, twitching or spasms (fasciculations)

Swelling in the legs and feet (edema)

A general feeling of not being well

Chronic kidney disease can be caused by high blood pressure or diabetes, which are two of the most common causes. Other causes include inherited diseases and glomerulonephritis.

Some of the causes of CKD include:

High blood pressure:- High blood pressure can damage the walls of the arteries in your kidneys, causing them to become clogged and less efficient at filtering waste from your blood. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to kidney failure or CKD.

Diabetes:- Diabetes damages the small blood vessels in your kidneys, causing them to leak and lose their filtering ability over time. This can lead to kidney failure or CKD. If you have diabetes, it's important that you follow your doctor's instructions for controlling your blood sugar levels as closely as possible so that complications such as this one don't occur.

Family history of kidney disease:- If someone else in your family has had kidney disease, there's a greater chance that you'll develop it too — especially if you have other risk factors like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Treatment of CKD

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) refers to a progressive loss of kidney function over time. The kidneys are responsible for removing waste products from the blood, regulating the body’s fluid levels and producing hormones such as erythropoietin (EPO). The progressive loss of kidney function can lead to a number of health problems including high blood pressure, anaemia and chronic heart failure.

The treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease differs depending on the stage at which it is diagnosed. Early detection is essential as this can allow for early intervention with lifestyle changes, diet adjustments and medication. In more advanced cases, dialysis may be required in order to maintain adequate kidney function.

Conclusion

Keep a track on the health of your kidneys. The most common symptom of chronic kidney disease is excessive and poorly explained fatigue. This can be a sign that you already have some form of CKD and should seek medical advise from renowned kidney specialist hospital. Be aware of the risk factors. People who have had diabetes, hypertension or kidney stones are at high risk of developing chronic kidney disease. You must pay attention to your diet and living habits as it increases your chances of contracting various diseases.