The U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) explains that many patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may not present severe symptoms until the disease has advanced.* Early detection of CKD is important so the disease can be slowed through medication and continuous monitoring.

In people with CKD, high levels of waste build in the body, which causes various health problems. At an early stage, however, CKD does not typically cause symptoms since the body can usually still function at a high level despite a significant decline in kidney function.

Signs and symptoms

In the early stages, the disease can only be diagnosed through blood and urine tests requested by your doctor. If not caught early, a variety of signs and symptoms of CKD can arise over time and are often unspecific—meaning they can also be caused by other illnesses.

These include:

• loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and/or weight loss;
• fatigue and weakness, lack of energy, and/or sleep problems (insomnia);
• feeling sick and/or a headache;
• urinating more or less often than normal; and
• trouble concentrating and/or decreased mental sharpness.

Water retention, or edema, and fluid overload in the body may also cause. patient to experience: 

• swelling of the legs, ankles, feet, and/or sometimes the hands or face, such as puffiness around the eyes; and
• high blood pressure (hypertension) and/or chest pain.

Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, blood in urine, itchy skin, muscle twitches, and cramps.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains that people with CKD can also develop anemia (lower than normal red blood cells or hemoglobin causing a lack of oxygen-rich blood), bone disease, and malnutrition (resulting from the lack or excess of one or more dietary nutrients).

Proactive prevention

NHS encourages people to visit their doctor if they have disturbing and persistent symptoms that they feel may correspond to a sign of kidney disease. The earlier kidney disease is detected, the better the chance of slowing or stopping its progression.

You may be at increased risk of CKD if you have diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, or a family history of kidney failure.

*National Health Service. Symptoms, Chronic Kidney Disease.