A slow decline in kidney function at the early stages from the function of the kidney itself and/or a loss of blood supply or limited blood supply to the kidney and as a result loses the ability to sufficiently filter waste from your blood.
Other ways the kidney can get damaged if the body cannot remove the urine (i.e. a urine blockage or altered flow), this causes the kidneys to work harder than it should and cause kidney damage and this then lead to kidney failure.
Kidney disease does not tend to cause symptoms when it’s at an early stage.
This is because the body is usually able to cope with a significant reduction in kidney function.
Kidney disease is often only diagnosed at this stage if a routine test for another condition, such as a blood or urine test, detects a possible problem.
If it’s found at an early stage, medicine and regular tests to monitor it may help stop it becoming more advanced.
NHS
This can then lead to kidney failure and can be life- threatening and fatal since one’s body cannot remove toxins from their body.
Kidney failure
It is classified into five stages.
These range from very mild (stage 1) to complete kidney failure (stage 5). Symptoms and complications increase as the stages progress.
Stage 1
This stage is very mild. You may experience no symptoms and have no visible complications. Some damage is present.
It’s still possible to manage and slow progression by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating a balanced diet, regularly exercising, and not using tobacco products. Maintaining a healthy weight is important, too.
If you have diabetes, it’s important to manage your blood sugar.
Stage 2
Stage 2 kidney disease is still considered a mild form, but detectable issues like protein in urine or physical damage to the kidneys may be more obvious.
The same lifestyle approaches that helped in stage 1 are still used in stage 2. Also talk with your doctor about other risk factors that could make the disease progress more rapidly. These include heart disease, inflammation, and blood disorders.
Stage 3
At this stage kidney disease is considered moderate. Your kidneys aren’t working as well as they should.
Stage 3 kidney disease is sometimes divided into 3A and 3B. A blood test that measures the amount of waste products in your body differentiates between the two.
Symptoms may become more apparent at this stage. Swelling in hands and feet, back pain, and changes to urination frequently are likely.
Lifestyle approaches may help.
Your doctor may also consider medications to treat underlying conditions that could speed up failure.
Stage 4
Stage 4 kidney disease is considered moderate to severe. The kidneys aren’t working well, but you’re not in complete kidney failure yet. Symptoms can include complications like anaemia, high blood pressure, and bone disease.
A healthy lifestyle is still vital. Your doctor will likely have you on treatments designed to slow damage.
Stage 5
In stage 5, your kidneys are nearing or are in complete failure. Symptoms of the loss of kidney function will be evident. These include vomiting and nausea, trouble breathing, itchy skin, and more.
Healthline
This condition can lead to:
Ascites
An increased or high level of fluid collection within the peritoneum (the sac that contains the intestines within the abdominal cavity- the outside lining of the organs- this space has peritoneal fluid which helps to reduce friction between the belly and the organs during digestion).
The blood volume is reduced and the kidney then responds and try to retain salt and water in the body, this causes further swelling.
Ascites can also be caused by cancer, heart failure, kidney failure, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), and tuberculosis affecting the lining of the abdomen.
Symptoms include:
Increased abdominal swelling and belly size
Ankle swelling
Shortness of breath
Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
Appetite loss
Varices
Described as enlarged veins. Blood that is meant for the portal system, is diverted to and gathers in other veins as it makes its way to the heart these include along the oesophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum and/or anus.
This can put pressure on blood vessels and they can rupture and bleed.
Anyone with the above condition and bleeds from any orifice must seek urgent medical attention
Diagnosis Tests
Todetermine the type of kidney disease one needs to measure the kidney function:
Oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum [abnormalities tend to involve the cheekbones, jaw, mouth, ears, eyes, and/or bones of the spinal column (vertebrae)] – Goldenhar variant – (underdeveloped kidney or kidney missing on one side of body)
Jeune syndrome (asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy) – an inherited form of dwarfism which produces short limbs, a small chest (causing difficulty in breathing, vision problems, heart problems, gastrointestinal absorption problems, liver disease and kidney damage/lesions that may lead to kidney failure
Joubert syndrome [lack of muscle control (ataxia), abnormal breathing patterns (hyperpnea), sleep apnoea, abnormal eye and tongue movements and low muscle tone]
Swollen ankles and/or legs and/or feet and/or wrists (watches or wearing bangles feel tight) – swelling of (from retention of fluids caused by the failure of the kidneys to eliminate water waste)?
Unknown lumps and swelling?
Difficulty using arms and/or body and/or legs and/or lack of stamina, walking difficulties?
Underactive bladder causing a reduced amount of urine?
Overactive bladder particularly at night?
Confusion?
Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
Lack of energy?
Chest pain and/or tight chest?
‘Pigeon chest’ where breast bone sticks out?
Short of breath and/or breathing difficulties?
Dry cough longer than three weeks?
Sickness and/or nausea feeling?
Bad breath?
Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
Increased blood pressure?
Difficulty sleeping and/or lack of sleep?
Difficult to concentrate and/or difficulty in concentrating and/or memory problems?
The colour of your urine is a small window into your body’s health. It doesn’t tell you much about the state of your kidney function until damage to the kidneys has progressed.
Still, changes to urine colour may alert you of some issues.
Clear or pale yellow. This colour indicates you’re well hydrated. This is the ideal colour in most cases.
Dark yellow or amber. You may be dehydrated. Try drinking more water and cutting down on dark sodas, tea, or coffee.
Orange. This could be a sign of dehydration, or it might be a sign of bile in your bloodstream. Kidney disease doesn’t typically cause this.
Pink or red. Urine with a pink tint or bit of red could have blood in it. It could also be caused by certain foods, like beets or strawberries. A quick urine test can tell the difference.
Foamy. Urine with excess bubbles is a sign that it likely has a lot of protein in it. Protein in urine is a sign of kidney disease.
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Kidney disease and/or Early stage failure in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
The Pharmaceutical Journal covers analysis, features, opinion, learning and careers articles, providing insight and knowledge about drugs, pharmacy practice, medicines use and healthcare policy in the context of the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical science.
