Chronic kidney failure involves the gradual loss of kidney function. Your kidneys filter waste and excess fluids from your blood, which are then excreted in urine. Advanced chronic kidney disease can cause dangerous accumulations of fluid, electrolytes, and waste products in your body.
In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, you may have several signs or symptoms. You may not realize you have kidney disease until it develops.
Treatment for chronic kidney disease usually focuses on slowing the progression of kidney damage by controlling the cause. However, even controlling the cause may not prevent the development of kidney damage. Chronic kidney disease can progress to end-stage renal failure, which can lead to death if dialysis or a kidney transplant is not performed. Symptoms Symptoms of chronic kidney disease develop over time if kidney damage progresses slowly. Loss of kidney function can lead to fluid or body waste accumulation or electrolyte problems. Depending on the severity of the disease, loss of kidney function can cause:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue and weakness
- Sleep problems
- Urineing more or less
- Reduced mental acuity
- Muscle cramps
- Legs and swelling of the ankles
- Dry, itchy skin
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension).
