The Basics Of Chronic Kidney Disease

Symptoms To Be Aware Of

Symptoms of chronic kidney disease develop slowly over an extended period, especially if damage to the kidneys progresses slowly. Signs and symptoms of this illness include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue and weakness, sleep issues, changes in urination, a decrease in mental sharpness and focus, muscle twitches and cramps, and swelling of the feet and ankles due to water retention. Other symptoms include persistent itching, chest pain if enough fluid builds up around the lining of the heart, shortness of breath due to fluid buildup in the lungs, and high blood pressure that can be difficult to manage. These common symptoms are often nonspecific, meaning they can also be signs of other medical conditions. Due to the kidneys being highly adaptable and able to compensate if they begin to loss functioning abilities, symptoms may not appear until irreversible damage has been done to the organ.

Keep reading to learn about the multiple causes of chronic kidney disease and risk factors associated with it.