Chronic Kidney Disease
Also known as CKD, Chronic renal failure
This article is general health information for the selected condition. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace clinical judgement. If you have questions or need treatment advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
What is chronic kidney disease?
Chronic kidney disease is a sustained reduction in kidney function or persistent kidney damage lasting more than three months. It is usually silent until advanced, so it is typically found on blood or urine testing rather than through symptoms. Early detection matters because treatment can substantially slow progression toward dialysis or transplantation.
Causes
- Diabetes, the leading cause worldwide
- High blood pressure
- Glomerulonephritis
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Recurrent obstruction or reflux
- Long term use of some medicines
Symptoms
- Often no symptoms in early stages
- Fatigue and reduced concentration
- Swelling of ankles, feet or around the eyes
- Frothy urine indicating protein loss
- Reduced appetite and nausea
- Itching
- Breathlessness from fluid overload in advanced disease
Risk factors
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular disease
- Family history of kidney disease
- Age over 60
- Recurrent acute kidney injury
Diagnosis
- Estimated glomerular filtration rate from serum creatinine
- Urine albumin to creatinine ratio
- Repeat testing over at least three months to confirm chronicity
- Kidney ultrasound
- Kidney biopsy in selected cases
Treatment
- Tight blood pressure control
- ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers when proteinuria is present
- SGLT2 inhibitors, which slow progression in many patients
- Optimised diabetes control
- Dietary sodium restriction and dietitian support
- Avoidance of nephrotoxic medicines
- Planning for dialysis or transplantation in advanced disease
Self care
- Take blood pressure medicines exactly as prescribed
- Reduce dietary salt, which helps blood pressure and fluid balance
- Avoid ibuprofen and other anti inflammatory painkillers
- Tell any prescriber and pharmacist about your kidney function
- Stop smoking and keep to a healthy weight
- Stay active and manage diabetes tightly
- Follow dietitian advice on potassium and phosphate if given
When to see a doctor
Book an appointment if:
- Blood pressure consistently above your target
- Increasing ankle or facial swelling
- Frothy urine or a change in urine output
- New fatigue, nausea or itching
- Before starting any new medicine or contrast scan
- Falling kidney function on routine blood tests
Some symptoms need emergency care rather than an appointment. See the warning signs listed above.
Prevention
- Control blood pressure and diabetes
- Attend annual kidney checks if you are at risk
- Avoid regular anti inflammatory painkillers
- Stay well hydrated during illness
- Stop smoking
- Treat urinary obstruction and recurrent infections promptly
Outlook
Most people with early chronic kidney disease never progress to needing dialysis. Blood pressure control, ACE inhibitors or ARBs and SGLT2 inhibitors substantially slow decline. Cardiovascular disease is a greater risk than kidney failure for many, so heart risk is managed alongside. Where progression continues, dialysis and transplantation are effective treatments planned well in advance.
Common questions
Can chronic kidney disease be reversed?
Established damage is generally permanent, but progression can be slowed considerably. Blood pressure control, ACE inhibitors or ARBs, and SGLT2 inhibitors can delay or prevent the need for dialysis.
Why is it detected so late?
The kidneys have substantial reserve, so function can fall considerably before symptoms appear. This is why people with diabetes or hypertension are screened with blood and urine tests rather than waiting for symptoms.
Which everyday medicines need caution?
Nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can reduce kidney blood flow and should be used sparingly. Doses of many other medicines also need adjustment, so pharmacists and prescribers should know about the diagnosis.
References
Important: Dard AI is not a medical device and does not diagnose, treat, or replace clinician judgement. This article is general information only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about diagnosis and treatment, and seek emergency care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.