Symptoms and Signs of CKD

In the early stages of CKD, there are no symptoms or signs of disease.  This is what makes CKD so difficult to manage.  By the time symptoms do appear, kidney function has likely dropped below 25%.  This is why it is so important to have your kidney function tested if you have high blood pressure or diabetes. 

Check out this fun video about CKD symptoms, made by the Renal Support Network:

By the end of stage 3, some patients will begin having symptoms associated with CKD.  One of the most common symptoms of declining kidney function is anemia.  Anemia is when there are not enough red blood cells in the body, resulting in not enough oxygen getting to the tissues of the body.  People who are anemic appear pale or ashen, bruise easily, and have low energy levels. 

Symptoms that people with declining kidney function will often notice include:

• Pale skin
• Edema (fluid build-up), especially in the legs 
• Muscle cramping, especially in the legs
• Low energy, fatigue
• Confusion, decreased mental function
• Loss of appetite
• Itchy skin
• Trouble sleeping
• Nocturia (needing to urinate at night)

Signs and Symptoms of CKD 

Image source: http://www.hostinger.co.uk/ 

By stages 4 and 5 patients can develop chronic metabolic acidosis, which means there is not enough bicarbonate in the body.  Bicarbonate is an important ingredient for the body to maintain balance; if the body is low on bicarbonate, it becomes too acidic.  The body will attempt maintain balance by taking bicarbonate out of the bones, red blood cells, and other areas.  This can result in brittle bones, nails, and anemia.

CKD can interfere with many of the body's hormones.  One may experience sexual dysfunction, infertility, loss of menstrual cycle in women, and erectile dysfunction in men. 

People with CKD are at increased risk for:

• Malnutrition
• Suppressed immune system
• Insulin resistance
• High Blood Pressure
• Osteoporosis
• Fractures
• Heart Disease

I hope that gives you a clear picture of what the signs and symptoms of CKD are.  Next week we will talk about the treatment options!

To learn more about the signs and symptoms of CKD, please visit DeVita.com and The National Kidney Foundation. 

References:

Cohen D, Goldberg M, Gulati A, Ferr F. Chronic Kidney Disease.  First Consult, Clinical Key Website.  Available at: https://www-clinicalkey-com.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/#!/content/medical_topic/21-s2.0-1014826.  Revised May 4 2010.  Accessed on January 29 2015. 

Kovesdy CP, Sterns RH, Forman JP.  Pathogenesis, consequences, and treatment of metabolic acidosis in chronic kidney disease.  In: UpToDate.  Available at: http://www.uptodate.com/contents/pathogenesis-consequences-and-treatment-of-metabolic-acidosis-in-chronic-kidney-disease.  Updated December 1 2014.  Accessed on January 29 2015. 

About Chronic Kidney Disease.  National Kidney Foundation website. https://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/aboutckd.  2015.  Accessed on January 29 2015.