Skip to main content
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
    Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem.  lthough the exact reasons for the growth of CKD are unknown, changes in the demographics of the population, differences in disease burden among racial groups, and under-recognition of earlier stages of CKD and of risk factors for CKD may partially explain this growth It is also known as Chronic Renal Disease. 
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 27 January 2016

Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease

Initially there are no specific symptoms and Chronic Kidney Disease is generally only detected as an increase in serum creatinine or protein in the urine. As kidney function decreases, you may have the following symptoms of CKD:

  • Feel more tired and have less energy
  • Have trouble concentrating
  • Have poor appetite
  • Have trouble sleeping
  • Have muscle cramping at night
  • Have swollen feet and ankles
  • Have puffiness around your eyes, especially in the morning
  • Have dry, itchy skin that sheds as a white powdery material. This is uremic frost. 
  • Need to urinate more often, especially at night.

Chronic Kidney Disease may cause the following:

Increased blood pressure: This is due to fluid overload and production of vasoactive hormones created by the kidney via the RAS (renin-angiotensin system), increasing the risk of developing hypertension and/or suffering from congestive heart failure.

Accumulation of urea: This leads to azotemia (high levels of nitrogen containing compounds) and ultimately uremia (symptoms ranging from lethargy to pericarditis and encephalopathy, a brain disorder). Urea is excreted by sweating and crystallises on skin (uremic frost).

Hyperkalemia: Potassium accumulates in the blood with a range of symptoms including malaise and potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Hyperkalemia usually does not develop until GFR falls to less than 20-25 mL/min/1.73 m2 at which point the kidneys have decreased ability to excrete potassium. 

Erythropoietin synthesis is decreased: Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidney that stimulates the production of red blood cells. Without enough erythropoietin, the patient suffers from anaemia and poor oxygenation. 

Fluid volume overload: Symptoms may range from mild edema (swelling caused by excessive fluid retention in the body's tissues) to life-threatening pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs).

Hyperphosphatemia: This occurs due to reduced phosphate excretion, which follows the decrease in glomerular filtration. Hyperphosphatemia is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, being a direct stimulus to vascular calcification.

Hypocalcemia: This means abnormally low level of serum calcium in the blood. This occurs mainly due to Vitamin D deficiency.

Hypoparathyroidism: This occurs due to decreased synthesis of the parathyroid hormone. This can lead to low levels of calcium, causing muscle cramps. 

Metabolic acidosis: This occurs due to accumulation of sulfates, phosphates, uric acid etc that the kidneys cannot expel. This can cause the patient to have palpitations, chest, pains, nausea etc. 

Iron deficiency anaemia: This increases in prevalence as kidney function decreases, and is especially prevalent in those requiring haemodialysis, which is the most common treatment for advanced and permanent kidney failure. It is multifactoral in cause but includes increased inflammation, reduction in erythropoietin, hyperuricemia (high level of uric acid) leading to bone marrow suppression.

Accelerated atherosclerosis: This is narrowing of the blood vessels with CKD patients who more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than the general population with significantly worse prognosis. 

Sexual dysfunction: This is very common in both men and women with chronic kidney disease. A majority of men have reduced sex drive, difficulty obtaining an erection and reaching orgasm, and the problems get worse with age. A majority of women have trouble with sexual arousal and painful periods.

Stories

  • Advocating for financial access for persons with kidney disease with profile pics of Dr Gulati, Vasundhara Raghavan, Aparna Mittal
    Advocating for Financial Access for Persons with Kidney Disease
    In a panel discussion organized jointly by PatientsEngage and Kidney Warriors Foundation, and moderated by Aparna Mittal of PatientsEngage, Dr. Sanjeev Gulati (Senior nephrologist, and ex-President, Indian Society of Nephrologists), Sireesha P (Public Health Consultant) and Vasundhara Raghavan (CEO, Kidney Warriors Foundation) spoke of the gaps in financial access for treatment of persons with kidney disease and the way forward. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as an irreversible…
  • Picture of the woman who donated her kidney in a blue paisley print dress and text overlay research gave me courage
    It Was Scary To Donate A Kidney To My Sister
    When her sister needed a kidney transplant, Vaishali (53) navigated a complex set of emotions before deciding to donate her kidney to Hemali. On February 6, 2024, they completed one healthy year post-transplant. Vaishali shares her experience of being a kidney donor, the research she did and why she talks about being an organ donor.  Read Hemali's perspective of needing a kidney transplant here. Vaishali, what made you decide to donate your kidney to Hemali? The thought process to arrive…
  • A kidney transplant recipient woman's profile pic with the text overlay Organ Donation Advocate now
    My Sister's Kidney Saved My Life
    Hemali Ajmera (55) was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease in 2019. Her sister's kidney donation saved her life. On February 6, 2024, they completed one healthy year post-transplant. Hemali shares her experience of navigating the anxiety and her journey to being an organ donation advocate. Read her sister Vaishali's perspective here. Hemali, when were you diagnosed? What were the early symptoms? The red flags started showing up in 2016. I attributed my frequent bouts of illness and fevers to…
  • CKD and women's health issues
    क्रोनिक किडनी रोग के रोगियों में महिला स्वास्थ्य के मुद्दे
    डॉ राका कौशल, वरिष्ठ नेफ्रोलॉजिस्ट, ने पेशेंट्स एंगेज के साथ क्रॉनिक किडनी डिसीज़ (सीकेडी, दीर्घकालिक गुर्दे की बीमारी) पर एक वेबिनार में सीकेडी के रोगियों में महिलाओं के मुद्दों पर बात की थी। इसमें उन्होंने गर्भावस्था की जटिलताओं से लेकर बालों का झड़ना, असामान्य मासिक धर्म, रजोनिवृत्ति, मौखिक गर्भ निरोधकों और ऐसे अनेक मुद्दों पर बात की थी। वेबईनर में संबोधित प्रमुख प्रश्नों के उत्तरों का सारांश इस लेख में उपलब्ध हैं। लेख में, और यूट्यूब पर देखने वालों की सुविधा के लिए प्रत्येक प्रश्न को टाइम…
  • Young woman with specs in front of a leafy plant
    Strange Symptoms of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
    Suzanne Sangi, 26, was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition called Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension causing severe headaches, ringing in her ears with a daunting possibility of going blind. Here she talks about her treatment and renewed will to live thoughtfully and hopefully. I often wondered to myself, things couldn’t get any worse than they were -- I’d been living with a chronic illness called Lupus for more than three years now. My kidneys had been aggressively damaged and I’ve…
  • Thumbnail in green with text on blue strip: Can excess salt, sugar and junk food cause kidney disease in children
    Dangers Of Excess Salt, Sugar and Junk Food On Children's Health
    A panel discussion with Dr Rajan Ravichandran and Dr Arun Gupta highlighted the need for better product labeling and regulatory changes around advertising and marketing of processed foods. For parents to be aware of the link of salt, sugar and ultra processed foods with diabetes, hypertension and Chronic Kidney Disease in children. (Video below) Participants: Dr Rajan Ravichandran – Senior Nephrologist (RR) Dr Arun Gupta – Pediatrician (AG) Aparna Mittal, Founder , PatientsEngage (AM)  …
  • Fully Alive Thanks To The Dialysis Machine And My Will Power
    Samiir Halady, has lived with Chronic Kidney Disease for 20 years and is now a transplant recipient. He shares how he balances the challenges of living with his work and his love for trekking and travel. And the secret ingredients that keep him going. Please introduce yourself Samiir I am Samy or Sam (as my friends address me). I have been doing peer counselling for last 15 – 16 years and from 2020. I drive some of the initiatives of the Amar Gandhi Foundation. I am a sensitive, emotionally…
  • Diet For Good Kidney Health In Children
    Dr. Pankaj Deshpande, Consultant Pediatric Nephrologist shares advice on dietary suggestions for good kidney health for all children What children should be drinking and what they should not? How much and when? This is an important aspect of kidney health. A good balanced diet is required but many of us have forgotten what a balanced diet is! 1. Avoid a high salt intake   It not only causes fluid retention and increases the risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) but also may lead to…
  • Child in pain with text overlay of urinary issues in children
    Linkage Between Urinary Bladder Issues and Kidney Health In Children
    Dr. Pankaj Deshpande, Consultant Pediatric Nephrologist talks about urinary bladder issues like bedwetting and urinary tract infection and how they link to Kidney Disease. Previously in Part 1 we talked about the issue of kidney stone among young children.  What is nocturnal enuresis (bed wetting) ? Till what age is it considered acceptable? As children grow, they achieve bladder control. By the time they are 3 years old most children will have achieved control of the bladder in the day…
  • A picture of a doctor examining a child with her mother about kidney stones
    Young Children Can Also Get Kidney Stones
    Dr Pankaj Deshpande, Consultant Pediatric Nephrologist sheds light on common kidney related issues in children - a topic that few people are aware about. In Part 1, he focusses on Kidney stones. And in Part 2, he will talk of urinary bladder issues. What are the most common nephrologic issues amongst the pediatric population? The words children and kidney disease seem incongruous to most people. The first reaction on mentioning any kidney illness in babies or children is that they never…