Chronic kidney disease includes conditions that damage the kidneys and decrease their ability to keep you healthy. If kidney disease gets worse, waste can build to high levels in your blood and make you feel sick. You may develop complications like high blood pressure, anemia (low blood count), weak bones, poor nutritional health, and nerve damage. Also, kidney disease increases your risk of having heart and blood vessel disease. The two main causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, which are responsible for up to two-thirds of the cases.
Most people may not have any severe symptoms until their kidney disease is advanced. However, you may notice that you:
- Feel more tired and have less energy
- Have trouble concentrating
- Have a poor appetite
- Have trouble sleeping
- Have cramping at night
- Have swollen feet and ankles
- Have puffiness around your eyes, especially in the morning
- Have dry itchy skin
- Need to urinate more often, especially at night