Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease can go undiagnosed for a long period of time due to the minimal symptoms it presents. It only becomes apparent when the symptoms become quite severe due to the impairment of the kidney functions.

Causes

• High blood pressure
• Polycystic kidney disease: This is a genetic condition that occurs as a result of cysts in both kidneys.
• Diabetes: Type 1 or type 2
• Obstruction of the urinary tract due to kidney stones, tumors, or enlarged prostate
• Kidney stones: This is a very common kidney condition that occurs when substances in the blood form stones in the kidneys. These stones are usually passed out during urination.
• Cardiovascular disease
• Genetics: History of kidney disease in the family
• Aging

Symptoms

• Low urine output
• Blood in the urine
• Persistently itchy skin
• Tiredness
• Swollen feet and ankles
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• High blood pressure
• Breathlessness
• Trouble sleeping
• Muscle cramps

Chronic kidney disease is usually diagnosed through blood and urine tests, imaging, and through a biopsy.

Treatment:

At the moment, there is no one particular cure of chronic kidney disease, but there are treatment options for the symptoms. These include:

• Taking an array of medications including antihistamines for itchy skin, iron supplements and blood transfusion for anemia, blood pressure medications, anti-nausea medications, and home remedies including a diet low in proteins and phosphates.
• If the kidneys have reached the end-stage, which means they are functioning at less than 15% capacity, the patient would need to undergo routine dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis), or a kidney transplant in order to live.