What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?

By Shubhi Kumar
01 Feb 2025, 11:00 IST

Kidney disease is when one's kidneys are not functioning as they should and begin to lose function. Chronic kidney disease is progressive. CKD is caused by high blood pressure and diabetes. Symptoms involve:

Dry and itchy skin

Decreased kidney function causes the skin to become dry and itchy, affecting hydration and waste removal.

Tiredness or weakness

Reduced toxin elimination from the body due to reduced kidney function leads to fatigue and weakness.

Bubbly or foamy pee

The presence of more than normal protein levels in the urine leads to foamy urine. It is a symptom of failure in kidney filtration and waste elimination.

Need to pee more often

Damaged kidneys cause the body's fluid balance to be upset, which leads to frequent urination requests, usually at night.

Swelling hands, feet, and ankles

Swelling of the ankles and limbs is frequently associated with an escalating accumulation of fluids against fluid balance.

Puffy eyes

Particularly in the morning, puffiness around the eyes is caused by fluid buildup from renal issues.

Trouble sleeping

Kidney disorders might cause discomfort, restlessness in the legs, or high blood pressure, all of which can interfere with a person's ability to sleep normally.

Information credits

This information is sourced from the National Institute of Health. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor/ healthcare professional if you observe any of the symptoms.