CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE (CKD)

What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidney function gradually declines over months to years. In the early stages of CKD, most patients have no symptoms because their bodies are used to metabolic disorders that develop over time. When kidney function is severely compromised, symptoms due to the accumulation of toxins and fluids begin to appear.

Among the types of kidney disease that often occur are as follows:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Acute kidney injury

The definition of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is when the kidneys are no longer able to clear toxins and waste products from the blood and perform their functions at full capacity. These kidney problems can occur in a progressive or continuous deterioration over time.

There are also cases of acute kidney injury (formerly known as acute kidney failure) which is a sudden loss of kidney function, usually within hours or days. However, this is quite rare.

Causes of kidney disease include:

1. Diabetes
2. High blood pressure or hypertension
3. Cardiovascular disease
4. Family history of kidney disease
5. Age 55 years and above

What are the symptoms of chronic kidney disease?

Symptoms of chronic CKD vary and depend on the severity of the kidney damage. CKD is divided into five stages/stages based on the level of kidney function or glomerular filtration rate. The glomerular filtration rate can be estimated from the blood creatinine level and is usually above 90 ml/min.

Symptoms of frequent kidney disease

• Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
• Weakness, fatigue and weight loss.
• Swelling of the lower leg (edema).
• Swelling of the face or around the eyes, especially in the morning.
• High blood pressure, especially if severe, uncontrolled or young individuals.
• Paleness.
• Sleep problems, lack of concentration and dizziness.
• Itching, muscle cramps.
• Pain in the lower back.
• Excessive urination, especially at night (nocturia).
• Bone pain and fractures in adults and stunted growth in children.
• Decreased sexual desire and erectile problems in men and menstrual disorders in women.