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Chronic kidney disease

Kidney failure - chronic; Renal failure - chronic; Chronic renal insufficiency; Chronic kidney failure; Chronic renal failure

 

Chronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body.

Causes

 

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) slowly gets worse over months or years. You may not notice any symptoms for some time. The loss of function may be so slow that you do not have symptoms until your kidneys have almost stopped working.

The final stage of CKD is called end-stage renal disease (ESRD). At this stage, the kidneys are no longer able to remove enough wastes and excess fluids from the body. At this point, you would need dialysis or a kidney transplant .

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the 2 most common causes and account for most cases.

Many other diseases and conditions can damage the kidneys, including:

  • Autoimmune disorders (such as systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma )
  • Birth defects of the kidneys (such as polycystic kidney disease )
  • Some toxic chemicals
  • Injury to the kidney
  • Kidney stones and infection
  • Problems with the arteries feeding the kidneys
  • Some medicines, such as pain and cancer drugs
  • Backward flow of urine into the kidneys ( reflux nephropathy )
  • Other kidney diseases

CKD leads to a buildup of fluid and waste products in the body. This condition affects most body systems and functions, including:

  • High blood pressure
  • Low blood cell count
  • Vitamin D and bone health

 

Symptoms

 

The early symptoms of CKD are the same as for many other illnesses. These symptoms may be the only sign of a problem in the early stages.

Symptoms may include:

  • Appetite loss
  • General ill feeling and fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Itching ( pruritus) and dry skin
  • Nausea
  • Weight loss without trying to lose weight

Symptoms that may occur when kidney function has gotten worse include:

  • Abnormally dark or light skin
  • Bone pain
  • Drowsiness or problems concentrating or thinking
  • Numbness or swelling in the hands and feet
  • Muscle twitching or cramps
  • Breath odor
  • Easy bruising , or blood in the stool
  • Excessive thirst
  • Frequent hiccups
  • Problems with sexual function
  • Menstrual periods stop (amenorrhea)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sleep problems
  • Vomiting, often in the morning

 

Exams and Tests

 

Most people will have high blood pressure at all stages of CKD. During an exam, your health care provider may also hear abnormal heart or lung sounds in your chest. You may have signs of nerve damage during a nervous system exam.

A urinalysis may show protein or other changes in your urine. These changes may appear 6 to 10 months or more before symptoms appear.

Tests that check how well the kidneys are working include:

  • Creatinine clearance
  • Creatinine levels
  • Blood urea nitrogen ( BUN )

CKD changes the results of several other tests. You will need to have the following tests as often as every 2 to 3 months when kidney disease gets worse:

  • Albumin
  • Calcium
  • Cholesterol
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Electrolytes
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorous
  • Potassium
  • Sodium

Other tests that may be done to look for the cause or type of kidney disease include:

  • CT scan of the abdomen
  • MRI of the abdomen
  • Ultrasound of the abdomen
  • Kidney biopsy
  • Kidney scan
  • Kidney ultrasound

This disease may also change the results of the following tests:

  • Erythropoietin
  • Parathyroid hormone ( PTH )
  • Bone density test
  • Vitamin D level

 

Treatment

 

Controlling blood pressure will slow further kidney damage.

  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are used most often.
  • The goal is to keep blood pressure at or below 130/80 mm Hg.

Making lifestyle changes can help protect the kidneys, and prevent heart disease and stroke, such as:

  • DO NOT smoke.
  • Eat meals that are low in fat and cholesterol.
  • Get regular exercise (talk to your doctor or nurse before starting to exercise).
  • Take drugs to lower your cholesterol, if needed.
  • Keep your blood sugar under control.
  • Avoid eating too much salt or potassium.

Always talk to your kidney specialist before taking any over-the-counter medicine. This includes vitamins, herbs and supplements. Make sure all of the providers you visit know you have CKD. Other treatments may include:

  • Medicines called phosphate binders, to help prevent high phosphorous levels
  • Extra iron in the diet, iron pills, iron given through a vein (intravenous iron) special shots of a medicine called erythropoietin, and blood transfusions to treat anemia
  • Extra calcium and vitamin D (always talk to your provider before taking)

Your provider may have you follow a special diet for CKD .

  • Limiting fluids
  • Eating less protein
  • Restricting salt, potassium, phosphorous, and other electrolytes
  • Getting enough calories to prevent weight loss

All people with CKD should be up-to-date on the following vaccinations:

  • Hepatitis A vaccine
  • Hepatitis B vaccine
  • Flu vaccine
  • Pneumonia vaccine (PPV)

 

Support Groups

 

Some people benefit from taking part in a kidney disease support group .

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Many people are not diagnosed with CKD until they have lost most of their kidney function.

There is no cure for CKD. If it worsens to ESD , and how quickly, depends on:

  • The cause of kidney damage
  • How well you take care of yourself

Kidney failure is the last stage of CKD. This is when your kidneys can no longer support our body's needs.

Your provider will discuss dialysis with you before you need it. Dialysis removes waste from your blood when your kidneys can no longer do their job.

In most cases, you will go to dialysis when you have only 10 to 15% of your kidney function left.

Even people who are waiting for a kidney transplant may need dialysis while waiting.

 

Possible Complications

 

Complications may include:

  • Anemia
  • Bleeding from the stomach or intestines
  • Bone, joint, and muscle pain
  • Changes in blood sugar
  • Damage to nerves of the legs and arms ( peripheral neuropathy )
  • Dementia
  • Fluid buildup around the lungs ( pleural effusion )
  • Heart and blood vessel complications
  • High phosphorous levels
  • High potassium levels
  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Increased risk of infections
  • Liver damage or failure
  • Malnutrition
  • Miscarriages and infertility
  • Seizures
  • Swelling ( edema )
  • Weakening of the bones and increased risk of fractures

 

Prevention

 

Treating the condition that is causing the problem may help prevent or delay CKD. People who have diabetes should control their blood sugar and blood pressure levels and should not smoke.

 

 

Open References

References

Abboud H, Henrich WL. Clinical practice. Stage IV chronic kidney disease. N Engl J Med . 2010;362(1):56-65. PMID: 20054047 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20054047 .

Fogarty DG, Tall MW. A stepped care approach to the management of chronic kidney disease. In: Taal MW, Chertow GM, Marsden PA et al, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 61.

Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI). K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines on hypertension and antihypertensive agents in chronic kidney disease. Am J Kidney Dis . 2004;43(5 Suppl 1):S1-S290. PMID: 15114537 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15114537 .

Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Anemia Work Group. KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney Int Suppl . 2012;2(4):279-335. www.kdigo.org/clinical_practice_guidelines/pdf/KDIGO-Anemia%20GL.pdf .

Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Blood Pressure Work Group. KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Blood Pressure in Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney Int Suppl . 2012;2:337-414. www.kdigo.org/clinical_practice_guidelines/pdf/KDIGO_BP_GL.pdf .

Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) CKD Work Group. KDIGO 2012 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney Int Suppl . 2013;3:1-150. www.kdigo.org/clinical_practice_guidelines/pdf/CKD/KDIGO_2012_CKD_GL.pdf .

McCullough PA. Interface between renal disease and cardiovascular disease. In: Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 88.

Tonelli M, Pannu N, Manns B. Oral phosphate binders in patients with kidney failure. N Engl J Med . 2010;362(14):1312-24. PMID: 20375408 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20375408 .

Upadhyay A, Earley A, Haynes SM, Uhlig K. Systematic review: blood pressure target in chronic kidney disease and proteinuria as an effect modifier. Ann Intern Med . 2011;154(8):541-8. PMID: 21403055 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21403055 .

 
  • Kidney anatomy

    Kidney anatomy - illustration

    The kidneys are responsible for removing wastes from the body, regulating electrolyte balance and blood pressure, and stimulating red blood cell production.

    Kidney anatomy

    illustration

  • Kidney - blood and urine flow

    Kidney - blood and urine flow - illustration

    This is the typical appearance of the blood vessels (vasculature) and urine flow pattern in the kidney. The blood vessels are shown in red and the urine flow pattern in yellow.

    Kidney - blood and urine flow

    illustration

  • White nail syndrome

    White nail syndrome - illustration

    White nail syndrome may also be called leukonychia. Leukonychia can occur with arsenic poisoning, heart disease, renal failure, pneumonia, or hypoalbuminemia.

    White nail syndrome

    illustration

    • Kidney anatomy

      Kidney anatomy - illustration

      The kidneys are responsible for removing wastes from the body, regulating electrolyte balance and blood pressure, and stimulating red blood cell production.

      Kidney anatomy

      illustration

    • Kidney - blood and urine flow

      Kidney - blood and urine flow - illustration

      This is the typical appearance of the blood vessels (vasculature) and urine flow pattern in the kidney. The blood vessels are shown in red and the urine flow pattern in yellow.

      Kidney - blood and urine flow

      illustration

    • White nail syndrome

      White nail syndrome - illustration

      White nail syndrome may also be called leukonychia. Leukonychia can occur with arsenic poisoning, heart disease, renal failure, pneumonia, or hypoalbuminemia.

      White nail syndrome

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

    Talking to your MD

     

      Self Care

       

      Tests for Chronic kidney disease

       
       

      Review Date: 9/22/2015

      Reviewed By: Charles Silberberg, DO, private practice specializing in nephrology, Affiliated with New York Medical College, Division of Nephrology, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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