Chronic Kidney Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

 

A progressive loss of kidney function is a feature of chronic kidney disease, commonly known as chronic kidney failure. Urine is the result of your kidneys filtering waste products and extra fluid from your blood. Your body may accumulate dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes, and waste products if you have advanced chronic kidney disease.

When you have a kidney disease, your kidneys aren't functioning normally and are starting to fail. Over time, chronic kidney disease (CKD) gets worse. CKD is frequently caused by diabetes and high blood pressure. Although CKD cannot be cured, there are things you may do to prolong function. Dialysis or a kidney transplant is necessary for patients with advanced kidney disease.

Also Read: Kidney Stones: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

What is Chronic kidney disease?

Your kidneys are damaged and not functioning as well as they should if you have chronic kidney disease (CKD or chronic renal disease). Your body uses your kidneys as a filter to remove waste, poisons, and excess water from your blood. They also support the health of red blood cells and bones, among other things. Waste accumulates in your blood because your kidneys can no longer filter waste when it starts to fail.

Because kidney function gradually deteriorates over time, kidney disease is referred to as "chronic." kidney failure, commonly known as kidney disease that is end- can result from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although kidney failure does not happen to everyone with CKD, the condition will frequently get worse if therapy is not received. Chronic renal disease cannot be cured. However, there are things you can do to prevent kidney injury from happening. Dialysis and kidney transplantation are two possible treatments for kidney failure, often known as end-stage kidney disease.

Symptoms:

If kidney damage occurs gradually, signs and symptoms of chronic renal disease appear over time. Electrolyte problems or a buildup of body waste or fluid can result from impaired kidney function. Loss of kidney function can result in the following, depending on its severity:

•  Nauseous

• Appetite loss

• Vomiting  

• Weakness and fatigue

• Issues with sleep

• More or less frequent urination Diminished mental clarity

• Cramping in the muscles

• Swelling in the ankles and feet

• Itchy, dry skin

• Uncontrollable high blood pressure, or hypertension

• Breathing difficulties if there is an accumulation of fluid in the lungs

• If fluid accumulates around the heart's lining, chest discomfort may result.

Causes:

A disease or condition that affects kidney function and causes kidney damage to worsen over several months or years is known as chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease is caused by the following diseases and conditions:

• Diabetes type 1 or type 2

• High blood pressure

• Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney's filtration units, or glomeruli (gloe-mer-u-low-nuh-FRY-tis).

• Inflammation of the kidney's tubules and surrounding structures is known as interstitial nephritis (in-tur-STISH-ul nuh-FRY-tis).

• Other hereditary kidney diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease

• Prolonged blockage of the urinary tract caused by diseases such as kidney stones, enlarged prostates, and some types of cancer

• (Ves-ih-koe-yoo-REE-tur-ul) Vesicoureteral Urine backs up into your kidneys due to a disease called reflux.

• Pyelonephritis is another name for recurrent kidney infections (pie-uh-low-nuh-FRY-tis).

Risk factors:

 The following variables may raise your risk of developing chronic kidney disease:

•  Diabetes

•  High blood pressure

•  Cardiovascular illness of the heart

•  Obesity

• Kidney disease in the family

• Abnormal kidney structure

• Getting older

Regular usage of medications that may damage the kidneys

Complications

 Nearly every body part can be impacted by chronic kidney disease.  Possible issues include:

•  High blood pressure, pulmonary edema, or swelling in your arms and legs could result from fluid retention.

•  Hyperkalemia, a sharp increase in blood potassium levels, can be fatal and affect how well your heart works.

•  Anemia

•  Heart conditions

•  An elevated risk of bone fractures due to weak bones

•  Central nervous system damage can result in seizures, personality problems, and trouble focusing.

•  Decreased immunity which increases your susceptibility to infections

• An inflammation of the sac-like membrane that surrounds your heart (pericardium) is called pericarditis.

• Risks associated with pregnancy complications for both the mother and the developing fetus

• End-stage kidney disease is irreversible kidney deterioration that ultimately necessitates dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.

How is a kidney disease diagnosis made?

Your healthcare provider will first ask about any current medications, perform a physical examination, review your medical history, and inquire about any symptoms you may have experienced.

To assess kidney function, your doctor will prescribe blood and urine tests.

The blood testing will specifically look for:

• The rate of glomerular filtration (GFR). This indicates the number of milliliters per minute that your kidneys are filtering blood or how effectively they are doing so. Your GFR determines the stage of your kidney disease.

• Your kidneys' ability to eliminate this waste product is indicated by your serum creatinine level. A waste product of muscle metabolism, creatinine is typically eliminated in urine. When your blood creatinine level is high, your kidneys aren't working properly enough to eliminate it from your urine.

• Urine tests will check your urine for blood and protein (albumin). Both should be absent from kidneys that are functioning properly.

• Additional testing may involve imaging tests, such as computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound, to check for issues with the size and structure of your kidneys. A kidney biopsy may also be prescribed by your doctor to assess the extent of kidney damage or to screen for specific types of kidney disease.

What is the treatment for chronic kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) cannot be cured, but there are things you may do to prolong the life of your kidneys. If your kidney function is reduced:

• Establish and maintain routine consultations with your physician and nephrologist (kidney specialist). Your kidney health is monitored by these providers.

• If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar levels.

• Steer clear of painkillers and other medications that could exacerbate your kidney disease.

• Control your blood pressure.

• Eat in a way that is good for your kidneys. Limiting protein, consuming foods that lower blood cholesterol, and consuming less sodium (salt) and potassium are a few examples of dietary adjustments.

• Avoid smoking.

• Be active or engage in physical activity most days of the week.

• Maintain a healthy weight for yourself.

Kidney disease medications

You might be prescribed one or more medications, depending on the cause of your kidney condition. Your nephrologist may recommend the following medications:

• Use an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) or an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor to reduce blood pressure.

• If your kidneys are unable to remove phosphate, use a phosphate binder.

• A diuretic to aid in the removal of excess fluid from your body.

• Medication that reduces cholesterol levels.

• If you're anemic, erythropoietin will help you make red blood cells.

• To prevent bone loss, use calcitriol and vitamin D.

What is Kidney dialysis?

If you have kidney end-stage kidney disease, you and your medical team need to think about other possibilities because there is no cure for CKD. If complete renal failure is not treated, it will lead to death. Dialysis and kidney transplantation are options for end-stage renal disease.

When your kidneys are unable to eliminate waste from your body, a process known as dialysis is used to do so using machines. Dialysis can be divided into two main categories:

Hemodialysis: Hemodialysis involves passing your blood through a machine that filters out waste, extra water, and extra salt. After that, the blood is put back into your body. Three times a week, four-hour treatments are necessary for hemodialysis.

Peritoneal dialysis: During this procedure, a catheter is used to inject a dialysis solution straight into your belly. After absorbing waste, the solution is extracted using the same catheter. The cleaning procedure is continued by adding a fresh solution. This kind of dialysis is something you can do on your own. Peritoneal dialysis comes in two varieties: continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), which alternates the dialysis solution four times daily. During the night, a machine is used by CCPD to automatically fill, drain, and replace the fluid.

What is A kidney transplant?

During a kidney transplant, a healthy kidney is used to replace an unhealthy one. There are two sources of kidneys for transplantation: living donors and deceased donors. Typically, living donors are friends, relatives, or partners. One healthy kidney can provide a person with a good quality of life, making a living kidney donor possible.

Kidneys from deceased donors typically come from organ donors. Every donor is thoroughly examined to ensure a good fit and to rule out any problems or communicable infections.

People typically have to wait three to five years to receive a kidney from a deceased donor, while receiving a kidney from a living donor is typically faster.

Prevention:

To lower your risk of kidney disease:

• Observe the instructions given on medicines available over the counter. Follow the directions on the package while taking over-the-counter pain medicines such aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others), and acetaminophen (Tylenol, and others). Long-term use of excessive amounts of painkillers may cause renal damage.

• Keep your weight in check. Maintain your healthy weight by engaging in physical activity most days of the week. Consult your physician about healthy weight loss methods if you need to reduce your body weight.

• Stop smoking. Smoking cigarettes can harm your kidneys and exacerbate pre-existing renal problems. If you smoke, discuss quitting techniques with your physician. Medication, counseling, and support groups can all assist you in quitting.

• Manage your medical issues with the assistance of your physician. Work with your physician to manage any illnesses or conditions that raise your risk of kidney disease. Inquire with your physician about testing to check for kidney damage.

• Control your high blood pressure.

• If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar levels.

• Consume a balanced diet.

• Limit beverages that include alcohol.

References:

• Merck Manual, Consumer Version. Chronic Kidney Disease (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders/kidney-failure/chronic-kidney-disease). Accessed 5/7/2023.

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (U.S.). What is Chronic Kidney Disease? (https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd) Accessed 5/7/2023.

• American Diabetes Association. Chronic Kidney Disease (https://diabetes.org/diabetes/chronic-kidney-disease). Accessed 5/7/2023.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). Chronic Kidney Disease Basics (https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/basics.html). Accessed 5/7/2023.

• National Kidney Foundation. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Symptoms and Causes (https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/about-chronic-kidney-disease). Accessed 5/7/2023.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). Chronic Kidney Disease Basics (https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/basics.html). Accessed 5/7/2023.