Early Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease
Every year in India, around 1 lakh kidney failure cases are reported. Chronic kidney disease is an ailment that affects 10 percent of the Indian population. In this ailment, the kidneys stop functioning over time. At first, chronic kidney disease symptoms aren’t clear, and when it is, it becomes too late. Chronic kidney disease is a progressive condition. The kidneys are organs just below the ribcage, near the spinal cord. These organs filter waste and excess fluid from the blood, maintain electrolyte balance, and regulate blood pressure. Chronic kidney disease is challenging to diagnose, but with regular health checkups, the symptoms of the disease can be detected earlier. Progression of the disease can lead to kidney failure. In this blog, we will look into chronic kidney disease, understand how it manifests, and discuss the treatment options a person has when affected by it.
Early Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease
The symptoms of chronic kidney disease are often not specific enough. Sometimes, it can be misdiagnosed for other diseases.
Fatigue and Weakness: Constant tiredness is one of the common symptoms of chronic kidney disease. In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys lose their functioning over time, causing waste materials to build up in the blood. This leads to weakness and constant lethargy.
Frequent Urination: People suffering from chronic kidney disease often experience a tendency to urinate frequently. The patient also feels more thirsty. The urine is usually dark in colour. Foamy urine and blood in the urine are also signs of kidney damage. This is also one of the common chronic kidney disease symptoms.
Swelling (Edema): Kidneys remove excess fluid from the body. Due to chronic kidney disease, kidneys lose their ability to remove sodium and excess fluid from the body. This leads to fluid retention in the legs, feet, ankles, and sometimes hands and faces. Since oedema causes fluid retention, it can cause the appearance of weight gain.
Shortness of Breath: This is another common one among chronic kidney disease symptoms. Shortness of breath can be caused due to fluid retention in the lungs or the buildup of excess waste products in the blood. Breathlessness is exacerbated by anaemia linked to chronic kidney disease, which lowers the blood’s ability to transport oxygen.
High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is standard in chronic kidney disease, increasing the chances of further kidney damage. The kidneys aid in blood pressure regulation by maintaining fluid balance and generating hormones that govern blood vessel constriction. Damaged kidneys due to chronic kidney disease may find it challenging to carry out these duties, which can result in hypertension and further renal damage in a vicious cycle.
Loss of Appetite and Nausea:
Gastrointestinal chronic kidney disease symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss, can result from uremia, an accumulation of waste materials in the blood by compromised kidney function. Malnutrition and unintentional weight loss may result from this.
Muscle Cramps and Twitches:
Muscle spasms and cramps may be caused by electrolyte imbalances, namely low calcium and high phosphorus levels. This can sometimes happen early in chronic kidney disease, although it is more common in the latter stages.
Dry and Itchy Skin: Itchy, dry skin may indicate mineral and bone disease, which frequently coexists with chronic kidney disease. In these chronic kidney disease symptoms, the skin may be impacted by the kidneys’ inability to keep the proper concentrations of minerals in the blood.
Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease
Goals of Chronic Kidney Disease Treatment
The objectives of treating chronic kidney disease are:
- To control chronic kidney disease symptoms
- To stop the disease from becoming worse
- To avoid complications from the disease
- Improve the quality of life
Lifestyle Changes for Managing CKD
Healthy Diet: For proper management of chronic kidney disease, starting with a healthy diet is essential. Chronic kidney disease symptoms can be significantly reduced through adequate management.
Limit Protein Intake: Limiting consumption of protein-rich foods can help reduce the kidney workload.
Control Potassium: It is important to manage potassium intake to prevent hyperkalemia, which can affect the functioning of the heart.
Reduce Phosphorus: Increased phosphorus can lead to bone and heart problems so it’s important to monitor the intake of phosphorus.
Reduce Sodium: One of the most important things to consider in a healthy diet for managing chronic kidney disease is your sodium intake. Reducing your sodium intake can help control blood pressure and reduce fluid retention. It is recommended to take only 2300 mg of sodium per day.
Monitor Fluid Intake: Fluid overload can stress the kidneys and further impair their functioning. Monitor your daily fluid intake.
Choose Heart-Healthy Foods: Eat foods that are good for your heart, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil. This can help reduce the risk of heart disease, which is common in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease.
Regular Exercise
Remember to exercise regularly. Keeping your body moving can help keep you fit and manage weight. It is also essential for your overall health. Exercising can keep your mind and body in good shape. It is essential for chronic kidney disease as it can prevent it from progressing.
Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol
Give up smoking and/or using tobacco products. Smoking raises your chance of developing renal failure and accelerates the course of chronic kidney disease. It also raises your risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke, high blood pressure, and other major health issues.
Stay Hydrated
Adequate hydration is essential for overall health, especially for individuals with chronic kidney disease. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Medications
They are taking timely medications for diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol, which are common complications of chronic kidney disease. Phosphate binders can help reduce phosphorus levels in the blood. ESAs can help stimulate red blood cell production, reducing anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease.
Advanced CKD Treatments
Dialysis, which involves filtering waste products from the blood using a machine or peritoneal dialysis solution, is typically used as an advanced chronic kidney disease treatment.
In a more severe situation, a kidney transplant is suggested. Kidney transplantation involves replacing damaged kidneys with a healthy kidney from a donor.
Supportive Care
Supportive care includes managing symptoms, controlling complications, and improving quality of life through regular monitoring and checkups. Blood and urine tests and regular screening for diabetes, hypertension, and other conditions are important for identifying potential causes of chronic kidney disease.
FAQs
- What is chronic kidney disease?
Chronic kidney disease is a gradual loss of kidney function over an extended period.
- What are the common causes of chronic kidney disease?
Common causes of chronic kidney disease include diabetes, hypertension, obesity, family history, and certain medical conditions.
- What are the stages of chronic kidney disease?
The stages of chronic kidney disease range from Stage 1 (normal kidney function) to Stage 5 (End-Stage Renal Disease).
- Can exercise benefit individuals with chronic kidney disease?
Regular exercise can improve kidney function and overall health for individuals with chronic kidney disease.
