Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term condition where the kidneys do not work as well as they should. The kidneys filter waste and extra fluid from the blood, control blood pressure and help keep bones healthy. Around 1 in 10 adults in the UK have CKD, and many do not know.
Symptoms
Early CKD usually has no symptoms. It is often found through routine blood and urine tests. Later on, symptoms can include:
- tiredness and lack of energy
- swollen ankles, feet or hands
- shortness of breath
- feeling sick, and itchy skin
- needing to pee more, especially at night
- blood in your pee
Common causes
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- heart disease, and high cholesterol
- kidney infections, and inherited conditions such as polycystic kidney disease
- long-term use of some medicines, such as anti-inflammatory painkillers
Stages
CKD is given a stage from 1 to 5 based on your eGFR blood test, plus a category based on the ACR urine test. Stage 5 is also called kidney failure.
You should have regular tests if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease.
Read about treatment for kidney disease.
Common questions
Does chronic kidney disease always lead to dialysis?
No. Most people with CKD have mild disease that never needs dialysis. Keeping blood pressure and diabetes under control helps protect your kidneys.
What do eGFR and ACR mean?
eGFR is a blood test that estimates how well your kidneys filter waste. ACR is a urine test that checks for protein leaking into your urine. Together they show the stage of CKD.
Sources we used
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