Early Signs of Chronic Kidney Disease

The kidneys serve an important function in the body, filtering the blood and excreting waste out of the body through urine. Kidney disease describes any condition in which the kidneys stop functioning normally. Chronic kidney disease (or CKD) describes a permanent loss of function.

When the kidneys cannot function perfectly, they compensate — in other words, they adapt to keep the body as healthy as possible. This limits symptoms at the early stages of CKD. Detecting kidney damage is often difficult for this reason; many patients do not notice their symptoms until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. Additionally, many of the early warning signs of CKD can be misattributed to other health conditions.

The only way to definitively diagnose CKD is through appropriate medical testing. With that in mind, some common symptoms associated with the condition include:

• Frequent urination, often with excessive bubbles (or “foam") or discoloration
• Sudden loss of appetite, or a severely reduced appetite
• Muscle cramps
• Swelling in the hands, legs, feet, or around the eyes
• Dry, itchy skin
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Aching or shooting pain in the lower back
• Fatigue and mental cloudiness

Only a medical professional can diagnose CKD, and the symptoms above can also indicate other medical conditions. Anyone who experiences worrisome health symptoms should speak with a doctor to get a medical diagnosis as soon as possible.

Potential Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease

CKD occurs when a disease or disorder damages the kidneys, impairing their ability to function properly. Common causes of kidney disease include high blood pressure, diabetes (Type 1 or 2), recurring kidney infections, inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units (glomerulonephritis), and inherited disorders like polycystic kidney disease.

Patients who have these characteristics and behaviors may have a higher risk of developing CKD:

• Smoking
• Older age
• High blood pressure
• A family history of kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Heart disease

CKD affects all aspects of a person’s body, and it’s important to take action to minimize risk factors as much as possible. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who are at high risk of developing kidney disease should engage in regular physical activity and eat a managed diet. Tobacco users should try to quit smoking, and at-risk patients should receive regular testing to diagnose CKD as early as possible.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options for CKD

Tests used to identify CKD include biopsies (removing a small amount of tissue from the kidneys), blood and urine samples, and medical imaging tests (such as CT scans or ultrasounds). A physician may recommend some or all of these tests depending on the suspected cause of the kidney damage.

Because chronic kidney disease causes irreversible damage, it is considered incurable. However, treatment can limit symptoms and slow (or sometimes halt) the progression of kidney disease.

Treatment options vary depending on the cause of the kidney damage. The use of medications to manage health conditions causing the progression of CKD is the most effective treatment plan. Two of the most commonly prescribed medications are ACE inhibitors and ARBs, which lower blood pressure, reducing the strain on the kidneys.

When a patient’s kidneys have sustained serious damage, treatment plans may include dialysis or a kidney transplant. Dialysis is a treatment in which a machine performs some of the basic functions of the kidneys, removing waste and maintaining safe levels of chemicals and minerals. Patients who receive dialysis due to chronic kidney disease will often need regular treatments for the rest of their lives.

Researching Kidney Disease Online

Chronic kidney disease is a life-altering condition, but when detected early, medical treatments can allow patients to live comfortably. However, serious kidney damage can be fatal without medical intervention.

People who have concerns about their symptoms often look online for resources about CKD. It’s important to evaluate all health claims carefully; look at information from several websites, particularly when considering treatments.

Because CKD can be life threatening, patients should always have open, honest discussions with their physicians. Online resources can provide peace of mind after a diagnosis, and careful research is important when fighting kidney disease.