Chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main
function of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body.
Causes
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) slowly gets worse over time. In the early stages,
there may be no symptoms. The loss of function usually takes months or years
to occur. It may be so slow that symptoms do not appear until kidney function
is less than one-tenth of normal.
The final stage of chronic kidney disease is called end-stage renal
disease (ESRD). At this stage, the kidneys are no longer able to remove enough
wastes and excess fluids from the body. The patient needs dialysis or a kidney
transplant.
Many other diseases and conditions can damage the kidneys, including:

Autoimmune disorders (such as systemic lupus

erythematosus and scleroderma)
Birth defects of the kidneys (such as polycystic kidney disease)
Certain toxic chemicals
Injury or trauma
Kidney stones and infection
Problems with the arteries leading to or inside the kidneys
Some pain medications and other drugs (such as cancer drugs)
Reflux nephropathy (in which the kidneys are damaged by the backward
flow of urine into the kidneys)
Other kidney diseases

Chronic kidney disease leads to a buildup of fluid and waste products in the
body. This condition affects most body systems and functions, including:

Blood pressure control

Red blood cell production
Vitamin D and bone health
Symptoms

The early symptoms of chronic kidney disease are also symptoms of other
illnesses. These symptoms may be the only signs of kidney disease until the
condition is more advanced.
Symptoms may include:

Appetite loss
General ill feeling and fatigue

Headaches
Itching (pruritus) and dry skin
Nausea
Weight loss without trying to lose weight

Other symptoms that may develop, especially when kidney function has gotten
worse, include:

Abnormally dark or light skin

Bone pain
Brain and nervous system symptoms:
Drowsiness and confusion
Problems concentrating or thinking
Numbness in the hands, feet, or other areas
Muscle twitching or cramps
Breath odor
Easy bruising, bleeding, or blood in the stool
Excessive thirst
Frequent hiccups
Low level of sexual interest and impotence
Menstrual periods stop (amenorrhea)
Shortness of breath
Sleep
problems,
such
as insomnia, restless
and obstructive sleep apnea
Swelling of the feet and hands (edema)
Vomiting, typically in the morning

leg

syndrome,

Many people are not diagnosed with chronic kidney disease until they have lost
most of their kidney function.
There is no cure for chronic kidney disease. Untreated, it usually worsens
to end-stage renal disease. Lifelong treatment may control the symptoms of
chronic kidney disease.
Treating the condition that is causing the problem may help prevent or delay
chronic kidney disease. People who have diabetes should control their blood
sugar and blood pressure levels and should not smoke.