Overview
The kidneys filter waste and extra fluid from the blood, help balance minerals, and support blood pressure and red blood cell health. In chronic kidney disease, this filtering function becomes reduced or kidney damage is present for a long period of time. CKD can range from mild to severe, and in advanced stages the kidneys may no longer work well enough to meet the body's needs.
Key Symptoms
Early CKD often has no clear symptoms. As it gets worse, some people may notice swelling in the feet or around the eyes, tiredness, changes in urination, poor appetite, nausea, muscle cramps, itchy skin, or trouble concentrating. These symptoms can happen with many conditions, so testing is needed to know the cause.
Causes and Risk Factors
Common causes include diabetes, high blood pressure, and diseases that directly damage the kidneys. Other causes can include inherited kidney conditions, repeated kidney infections, autoimmune diseases, urinary blockage, and some episodes of acute kidney injury that do not fully recover. Risk is also higher with older age, cardiovascular disease, obesity, smoking, and a family history of kidney disease.
Who Is Affected
CKD affects adults worldwide and becomes more common with age. It is especially important to watch for in people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a history of heart disease. People from communities with limited access to routine healthcare may be diagnosed later, after more kidney function has been lost.
Prevention
Not all CKD can be prevented, but risk can often be lowered by managing blood pressure and blood sugar, not smoking, staying active, and keeping up with regular medical care. Using medicines only as directed and discussing over-the-counter pain relievers or herbal products with a clinician may also help protect the kidneys. Screening may be advised for people at higher risk.
Diagnosis and Tests
CKD is usually checked with blood tests that estimate kidney filtering, urine tests that look for protein or blood, and blood pressure measurement. A healthcare professional may also review medicines, order imaging such as ultrasound, or sometimes suggest other tests to look for the cause. CKD is considered chronic when kidney damage or reduced function continues over time.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on the cause and stage, but the main goals are to slow kidney damage, reduce symptoms, and lower the risk of complications such as anemia, bone problems, high potassium, fluid overload, and heart disease. Care may include treatment for diabetes or high blood pressure, changes to medicines, and monitoring with repeat tests. If CKD becomes very advanced, options may include dialysis or kidney transplant.
Diet and Lifestyle
Diet needs can vary by CKD stage and by other health conditions, so individualized advice is important. Some people may be told to pay attention to salt, protein, potassium, phosphorus, or fluid intake, but changes should be guided by a healthcare professional or kidney dietitian. Regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco, and attending follow-up visits can support overall health.
When to Seek Medical Care
Make a medical appointment if you have risk factors for CKD, swelling, foamy urine, blood in the urine, ongoing tiredness, or changes in urination. Also seek care if you have diabetes or high blood pressure and have not had kidney testing. Early evaluation can help identify kidney problems before severe complications develop.
When It May Be an Emergency
Get urgent medical help if you have severe shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, severe weakness, very little urine, fainting, or sudden worsening swelling. Urgent care is also important for signs that may suggest dangerous electrolyte or fluid problems, especially in someone known to have kidney disease.