Chronic Kidney Disease Symptoms
List of Diagnostic Tests for Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease Treatment and Medications
Prevention for Chronic Kidney Disease
Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease
Frequently Asked Questions

Chronic Kidney Disease: What Causes It & How Is It Treated?

Urology

Published Date: 12-08-2024 Updated Date: 07-10-2026

Written by Medicover Team

Medically reviewed by Dr Chodisetti Subba Rao, Andrologist and Transplant Surgeon Chief Consultant Urologist

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Chronic kidney disease (CKD), also known as chronic kidney failure, is a condition where the kidneys gradually lose function, leading to a buildup of waste and fluids in the body. Chronic kidney disease causes can range from diabetes to high blood pressure, and it progresses through various stages of chronic kidney disease.

CKD can lead to complications like hypertensive chronic kidney disease and other kidney damage symptoms.

As CKD progresses, it can cause high blood pressure, anemia, weak bones, and nerve damage. The kidneys are essential for filtering blood, removing waste, regulating blood pressure, producing red blood cells, maintaining bone health, and balancing blood chemicals.

Chronic Kidney Disease Symptoms

Most people do not experience significant symptoms until their renal disease has progressed. However, you may observe that you:

Feel tired and have less energy
Have trouble concentrating
Poor appetite
Trouble sleeping
Muscle cramping at night
Swollen feet and ankles
Puffiness around the eyes
Dry skin
Frequent urination

Kidney damage symptoms can worsen as CKD advances. People with risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, are more susceptible to kidney disease.

What Causes Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic kidney disease causes develop when a disease or condition inhibits kidney function for months or years, leading to kidney damage.Where the Key reasons for chronic kidney failure include:

Diabetes: Linked to both types 1 and 2 diabetes, where excess blood sugar damages the kidneys over time.
Hypertension: Hypertensive chronic kidney disease occurs when high blood pressure damages the kidney’s filtering units.
Other Kidney Diseases: Polycystic kidney disease, pyelonephritis, and glomerulonephritis are types of chronic kidney disease.
Kidney Artery Stenosis: A condition where the renal artery narrows or is blocked.
Fetal Developmental Problems: Kidneys that do not develop properly in utero can lead to CKD later in life.

List of Diagnostic Tests for Chronic Kidney Disease

Diagnosing CKD involves several tests that can detect early chronic kidney disease stages and identify kidney damage symptoms:

Blood Test: Determines waste filtration efficiency in the kidneys.
Urine Test: Detects blood or protein in the urine, which can be a sign of CKD.
Kidney Scans: MRI, CT, or ultrasound scans can show abnormalities in the kidney structure.
Kidney Biopsy: A test to diagnose the extent of kidney damage.
Chest X-ray: Can detect fluid buildup in the lungs caused by kidney disease.
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): Measures how well the kidneys are filtering waste products.

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Chronic Kidney Disease Treatment and Medications

Currently, chronic kidney disease treatment aims to control chronic kidney disease symptoms, slow the progression, and manage complications. Treatment involves:

Lifestyle Changes: A healthy diet and regular exercise help manage CKD.
Medications: Chronic kidney disease medications manage high blood pressure, cholesterol, and other complications.
Dialysis: When CKD reaches end-stage renal disease (ESRD), dialysis becomes necessary to mimic kidney function.
Kidney Transplant: In severe cases, a kidney transplant is the ultimate solution.

Additional treatments manage CKD complications such as fluid overload, congestive heart failure, anemia, brittle bones, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalances.

Prevention for Chronic Kidney Disease

Preventing CKD involves managing risk factors and early management of chronic kidney disease:

Keep blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg.
Maintain target blood sugar levels if you have diabetes.
Engage in physical activity to help regulate blood pressure and blood sugar.
Lose weight if overweight.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption and quit smoking.
Get regular check-ups if you are at high risk for CKD.

Dietary adjustments, medications, and regular check-ups are vital for the management of chronic kidney disease.

Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease

The following are the major risk factors for chronic kidney disease:

Diabetes
High blood pressure
Heart and blood vessel disease
Smoking
Obesity
Family history of kidney disease
Abnormal kidney structure
Older age

By addressing these risk factors and working with healthcare professionals, individuals can effectively manage and prevent the progression of CKD.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the common symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?

Common symptoms of CKD include fatigue, swelling in the legs or face, changes in urination (such as frequent urination or reduced output), nausea, shortness of breath, and itchy skin.

2. What are the main causes of Chronic Kidney Disease?

The main causes of CKD include diabetes, high blood pressure, glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, and prolonged use of certain medications. These conditions can damage the kidneys over time.

3. How can diabetes lead to Chronic Kidney Disease?

Diabetes can cause high blood sugar levels, which damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter waste and leading to CKD.

4. What lifestyle changes can help prevent Chronic Kidney Disease?

To prevent CKD, maintain a healthy diet, control blood pressure and blood sugar levels, stay hydrated, avoid excessive use of medications that can harm the kidneys, and engage in regular physical activity.

5. How is Chronic Kidney Disease diagnosed?

6. How is Chronic Kidney Disease diagnosed?

CKD is typically diagnosed through blood tests (such as serum creatinine levels), urine tests (to check for protein or blood), and imaging studies (like ultrasound) to assess kidney structure and function.

7. What treatments are available for Chronic Kidney Disease?

Treatment for CKD focuses on managing symptoms and slowing disease progression. This includes controlling underlying conditions (like diabetes and hypertension), using medications to manage symptoms, and making lifestyle changes. In advanced stages, dialysis or kidney transplantation may be required.