In the U.S., about 37 million people have chronic kidney disease. Millions of others may also be at risk of CKD. When you have kidney disease, you have a better chance of avoiding kidney failure if you receive your diagnosis early. When doctors misdiagnose kidney disease, it could result in the condition progressing faster.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, various kidney disease warning signs exist. Unfortunately, the symptoms may be indicative of other illnesses or conditions too.
What are the CKD symptoms?
In the early stages of CKD, you may not have any symptoms. Most people have mild or nonexistent symptoms until the more advanced stages. However, symptoms that could indicate CKD include:
- Swollen feet or ankles
- Puffiness around the eyes in the morning
- Increased need to urinate at night
- Muscle cramping at night
- Fatigue and less energy
If you have symptoms or a higher risk of CKD, regular blood and urine tests can help you track your kidney function.
What conditions have an association with CKD?
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history involving kidney failure, you have a higher risk of developing CKD. If you have diabetes, the blood sugar can damage your organs. If you do not keep your blood sugar under control, you can lose function in your heart, kidneys, blood vessels, eyes and nerves. High blood pressure can also be a cause of CKD. Also, CKD can cause high blood pressure.
Ignoring symptoms of chronic kidney disease can lead to severe consequences and delayed treatment.
