Symptoms of CKD
CKD
A permanent damage or decline in kidney function as seen by elevated serum creatinine for more than 3 months is called CKD. It is a permanent condition which is not reversible and we can only slow the progression in some patients.
What are the symptoms of chronic kidney disease?
In a CKD there may not be a symptom till 90% of the kidney fails and this takes away the opportunity from getting treated, how ever knowing the symptoms of kidney disease can help people detect it early enough to get treatment.
Symptoms can include:
- Changes in urination — making too much or too less of urine than usual, feeling pressure when urinating, changes in the color of urine, foamy or bubbly urine, or having to get up at night to urinate.
- Swelling of the feet, ankles, hands, or face — fluid the kidneys can't remove may stay in the tissues.
- Fatigue or weakness — a build-up of wastes or a shortage of red blood cells (anemia) can cause these problems when the kidneys begin to fail.
- Shortness of breath — kidney failure is sometimes confused with asthma or heart failure, because fluid can build up in the lungs.
- Ammonia breath or an ammonic or metallic taste— waste build-up in the body can cause bad breath, changes in taste, or an aversion to foods.
- Back or flank pain — the kidneys are located on either side of the spine in the back.
- Itching — waste build-up in the body can cause severe itching, especially of the legs.
- Loss of appetiteNausea and vomiting.
- More hypoglycemic episodes, if you are a diabetic and If you believe you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor about your concerns. This is especially important if you have a close family member who has Diabetes and/or kidney disease, or if you have diabetes and high blood pressure, which are the main causes of kidney failure.
How can I find out if I have kidney disease?Kidney disease can be found through lab tests or by symptoms.
- High blood levels ofcreatinine and urea nitrogen (BUN) or high levels of protein in your urine suggest kidney disease.
- Diabetics should have a yearly urine test for microalbumin, small amounts of protein that don't show up on standard urine protein test.
If I have signs of kidney disease, what should I do?
After you have basic screening tests done, if you have signs of kidney disease, you should ask for a referral to a nephrologist, a specialist in treating kidney disease.
- A nephrologist will evaluate and then suggest medications or lifestyle changes to help slow the progression of kidney disease