Common symptoms of kidney diseases
- Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
- Weakness, fatigue and weight loss.
- Swelling (edema) of lower legs.
- Swelling of face or around the eyes especially in the morning.
- High blood pressure, especially if severe, uncontrolled or in young individuals.
- Pallor.
- Sleep problems, lack of concentration and dizziness.
- Itching, muscle cramps or restlessness.
- Flank pains.
- Frequent urination especially at night (nocturia).
CHP. 11. Chronic Kidney Disease: Symptoms and Diagnosis 47.
- Bone pains and fractures in adults and retarded growth in children.
- Decreased sexual drive and erectile dysfunction in males and menstrual disturbances in females.
When to suspect CKD in a person suffering from high blood pressure?
In persons with high blood pressure (hypertension) suspect CKD if:
- Age is less than 30 or more than 50 at the time of diagnosis of hypertension.
- Severe hypertension at the time of diagnosis (i.e. more than 200/ 120 mm of Hg).
- Severe uncontrolled high blood pressure even with regular treatment.
- Concomitant visual disturbances.
- Presence of protein in urine.
- Presence of symptoms suggesting CKD such as presence of swelling, loss of appetite, weakness etc.
CKD is a important cause of low hemoglobin not responding to treatment.