Chronic Kidney Disease Quiz
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Loss of appetite
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Have a headache
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Swelling
Shortness of breath
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What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
The build-up of toxins in the blood that is caused by decreased kidney function. Causes include repeated damage from infections, diabetes, high blood pressure, and autoimmunity (the body's immune system attacking itself). It usually occurs with chronic and end-stage renal disease but may occur in acute kidney injury as well. When toxins that are usually filtered out by the kidneys, stay in the blood, symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive issues, shortness of breath, muscle cramping, nausea and vomiting can occur.
Typical Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease
- Having difficulty urinating or producing less urine
- Headache
- History of kidney failure
- History of connective tissue, autoimmune or rheumatic disease
- Swelling leaves a dent when pressed for at least 15 seconds
- Swollen eyelids
- Decreased motivation
- Whole body pain
Diagnostic Questions for Chronic Kidney Disease
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Have you been experiencing difficulty urinating or producing less urine?
- Do you have a headache?
- Have you been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease?
- Have you ever been diagnosed with a connective tissue, autoimmune, or rheumatic disease?
- Does the swelling leave a dent when pressed for at least 15 seconds?
Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease
Main treatment involves replacing the kidney's "filtering" function, either artificially through dialysis or with a kidney transplant. Meanwhile, specialists may prescribe medications to control symptoms like itching and water retention.
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on May 13, 2024
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This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Decreased urine output
- Not peeing enough
- Pulsating headache
- Drinking lots of water but not urinating much
- No urine output in 12 hours
- Headache on the side of my head
- Urinating less than normal
- Headache over the entire head
- Very difficult to urinate
- Reduction in urine volume
- Headaches in back of head
- Unable to empty bladder completely
- Headache on one side
- I have a headache when I cough
- Headache at night
See full list
User Testimonials for Chronic Kidney Disease
Female, 40s
I have been nervous about my kidney function because I've been experiencing swelling in my hands, legs, and feet, along with a few other things. When I enter my symptoms, the AI Symptom Checker came back with the same thing I was thinking! I will be taking my symptoms more seriously and making an appointment with my doctor.
(Feb 11, 2025)
Symptoms Related to Chronic Kidney Disease
Diseases Related to Chronic Kidney Disease
FAQs
Q.
High Creatinine? Why Your Kidneys Are Struggling & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
High creatinine means your kidneys may be under stress, which can result from dehydration, certain medications, urinary blockage, intense exercise, or chronic kidney disease. Medically approved next steps usually include repeat labs with eGFR and urine protein, addressing the cause, and protecting kidneys by controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, adjusting diet and fluids, and avoiding NSAIDs and risky supplements. There are several factors to consider that can change your plan and when to seek urgent care for rapid rises, very low urine, breathing trouble, or confusion; see complete details below.
References:
* Ronco C, Bellomo R, Kellum JA. Diagnosis and Management of Acute Kidney Injury. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2017 Aug;28(8):2266-2276. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2016121350. PMID: 28330835.
* Poggio ED, Nef PC, Greene T, et al. Serum Creatinine as a Biomarker of Kidney Function. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2020 Jan 7;15(1):145-154. doi: 10.2215/CJN.09210819. PMID: 31666270.
* Ostermann M, Liu KD. Acute kidney injury. Lancet. 2019 May 4;393(10183):1847-1860. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30491-3. PMID: 31057445.
* Kremers WK, Loebe M. Chronic Kidney Disease: Detection and Prevention of Progression. Mayo Clin Proc. 2018 Jun;93(6):775-787. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.02.012. PMID: 29653896.
* Webster AC, Nagler EV, Morton RL, et al. Chronic Kidney Disease. N Engl J Med. 2018 Jul 12;379(2):169-180. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1706894. PMID: 29996996.
Q.
High BUN? Why Your Kidneys are Struggling & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
High BUN can result from dehydration, increased protein breakdown or intake, medication effects, or reduced kidney function, so it needs to be interpreted alongside creatinine, eGFR, and your symptoms. Medically approved next steps include repeating labs, hydrating if safe, reviewing medications and protein intake, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, and seeking urgent care for red flags like confusion, shortness of breath, sudden swelling, or very low urine. There are several factors to consider; see below for key details and thresholds that can change your next steps.
References:
* Al-Saffar F. Blood Urea Nitrogen and Creatinine as Markers of Kidney Dysfunction. Cureus. 2023 Mar 1;15(3):e35687. doi: 10.7759/cureus.35687. PMID: 37007281; PMCID: PMC10065983.
* Webster AC, Nagler EV, Morton RL, Masson P. Chronic Kidney Disease. Lancet. 2017 Mar 25;389(10075):1238-1252. doi: 10.1016/S0140-673(16)32064-5. Epub 2017 Jan 23. PMID: 28131461.
* Perazella MA. Prerenal Azotemia. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2023 Apr 1;18(4):534-539. doi: 10.2215/CJN.0000000000000109. Epub 2023 Feb 23. PMID: 36826640.
* Legrand M, Dupuis C, Buetti N, et al. Acute Kidney Injury: Current Management Strategies. Intensive Care Med. 2023 Oct;49(10):1153-1166. doi: 10.1007/s00134-023-07198-1. Epub 2023 Aug 24. PMID: 37618999.
* Kovesdy CP. Dietary protein intake and kidney health. Kidney Int. 2022 Sep;102(3):457-466. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2022.03.020. Epub 2022 May 21. PMID: 35605725.
Q.
Chronic Kidney Disease? Why Your Kidneys Fail + Medical Next Steps
A.
Chronic kidney disease is a gradual loss of kidney filtering function, most often from diabetes and high blood pressure; it is frequently silent early yet can cause swelling, fatigue, urinary changes, and higher heart risk if untreated, though early care can slow progression. Key next steps include screening with eGFR and urine albumin, tight blood pressure and glucose control, a medication and diet review, regular monitoring, and timely referral to a nephrologist. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more.
References:
* KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney Int. 2024 May;105(5S):S1-S191. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2024.01.018. Epub 2024 Feb 27. PMID: 38417711.
* Liu Y, Shi Z, Zhang L, et al. Mechanisms of progression of chronic kidney disease. Kidney Dis (Basel). 2023 Mar 7;9(2):162-177. doi: 10.1159/000529598. PMID: 36984218; PMCID: PMC10037146.
* Levin A, Rocco MV, Agarwal R, et al. Global Chronic Kidney Disease Roundtable: a report on a global initiative to improve the identification, prevention, and treatment of chronic kidney disease. Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2023 Feb;13(S1):S1-S21. doi: 10.1016/j.kisu.2022.12.001. Epub 2023 Jan 2. PMID: 36741753; PMCID: PMC9896796.
* Tonelli M, James MT, Wiebe N, et al. Chronic kidney disease. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020 Jan 9;6(1):3. doi: 10.1038/s41572-019-0131-y. PMID: 31919316.
* Webster AC, Nagler EV, Morton RL, et al. Chronic kidney disease. Lancet. 2017 Jul 22;389(10075):1238-1252. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32064-5. Epub 2016 Nov 16. PMID: 27887750.
Q.
Is Your eGFR Low? Why Your Kidneys are Filtering Slowly & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
A low eGFR means your kidneys are filtering more slowly, which can happen with chronic kidney disease, dehydration, certain medications, acute kidney injury, or normal aging; one test alone does not confirm CKD unless low for 3 months or there are other signs like protein in the urine. There are several factors to consider. See below for medically approved next steps including repeat testing and urine checks, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, reviewing medicines, lifestyle changes, when to see a kidney specialist, and when urgent symptoms need emergency care.
References:
* Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) CKD Work Group. Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease: Synopsis of the 2019 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Chronic Kidney Disease Guideline. Ann Intern Med. 2020 Jul 7;173(1):E1-E14. doi: 10.7326/M19-2702. PMID: 32639828.
* Kazancioglu R. Chronic Kidney Disease: A Guide for the Primary Care Physician. Medicina (Kaunas). 2021 Nov 22;57(11):1224. doi: 10.3390/medicina57111224. PMID: 34832791; PMCID: PMC8625902.
* Chen S, Cao Q, Chen X, Wang J. Interpretation of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in practice: Review of implications of various equations and conditions affecting their accuracy. Clin Biochem Rev. 2021 May;42(2):123-138. PMID: 34127891; PMCID: PMC8187884.
* Bello AK, Okpechi IG, Osman MA, et al. Management of chronic kidney disease: recent advances and future directions. Lancet. 2023 Feb 11;401(10375):509-519. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01529-6. PMID: 36774640.
* Bakris GL, Agarwal R, Anavekar NS, et al. Pharmacologic Management of Chronic Kidney Disease: An Update. J Am Heart Assoc. 2020 Sep 15;9(18):e017684. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.120.017684. Epub 2020 Sep 10. PMID: 32867623; PMCID: PMC7670557.
Q.
Kidney Disease? Why Your Body is Failing & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Kidney disease is common and often manageable when caught early; there are several factors to consider. See below to understand more, and note that important details could change which next steps are right for you. Most cases stem from diabetes or high blood pressure, are confirmed with eGFR blood tests and urine protein checks, and are managed by controlling blood pressure with ACE inhibitors or ARBs, optimizing blood sugar and considering SGLT2 inhibitors, adopting a kidney-friendly diet with lower sodium, reviewing meds to avoid frequent NSAIDs, quitting smoking, managing weight, and doing regular monitoring, with urgent care for red flags like chest pain, severe shortness of breath, confusion, or very little urine; in advanced stages, dialysis or transplant may be needed.
References:
* Lv JC, Zhang H, Zhao MH. Progression of chronic kidney disease: A narrative review. J Cell Mol Med. 2021 Apr;25(7):3169-3179. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.16434. Epub 2021 Feb 23. PMID: 33621406; PMCID: PMC8023545.
* Webster AC, Nagler EV, Morton RL, Masson M. Chronic Kidney Disease. Lancet. 2017 Mar 11;389(10075):1238-1252. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32064-5. Epub 2016 Nov 23. PMID: 27887750.
* Liu Y. New insights into the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2018 May;27(3):195-200. doi: 10.1097/MNH.0000000000000407. PMID: 29498877; PMCID: PMC5898822.
* Eknoyan G, Lameire N, Eckardt KU, Kasiske BL, Wheeler DC, Levin A. Chronic kidney disease: definition, epidemiology, classification, prognosis, and guidelines. Kidney Int. 2020 Aug;98(2):290-302. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2020.04.041. Epub 2020 Jun 2. PMID: 32503613; PMCID: PMC7460971.
* Goraya N, Wesson D. Therapeutic Strategies to Slow Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2021 Jan;28(1):3-11. doi: 10.1053/j.ackd.2020.10.003. PMID: 33678385.
Q.
Constant Fatigue? Why Your Kidneys Struggle & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Constant fatigue can be an early sign of kidney disease, driven by anemia from low EPO, toxin buildup, and fluid or electrolyte imbalances, especially if you also have diabetes, high blood pressure, or symptoms like swelling, foamy urine, or urination changes. Doctors can check with simple tests like eGFR and a urine ACR, and medically approved next steps include a primary care visit, tight control of blood pressure and blood sugar, treatment of anemia, and targeted lifestyle changes; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below. Seek urgent care for chest pain, severe shortness of breath, confusion, or very little urination.
References:
* Shah, A., & Picken, A. (2022). Fatigue in chronic kidney disease: a narrative review. *Clinical Kidney Journal*, *15*(3), 421-432.
* Valdimarsson, S., & Stefánsson, S. B. (2020). Mechanisms of Fatigue in Chronic Kidney Disease. *Kidney Diseases*, *6*(3), 144-152.
* Lima, M. M., Lins, R. B., Parente, D. D. S., Neves, F. C., De Lemos, R. C., De Alcantara, L. B. M., ... & Campos, P. P. D. S. (2021). Management of fatigue in patients with chronic kidney disease: an updated comprehensive review. *Jornal Brasileiro de Nefrologia*, *43*(4), 540-552.
* Fishbane, S., & Coyne, D. W. (2019). Anemia of chronic kidney disease: what the nephrologist needs to know. *Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension*, *28*(4), 306-313.
* Caskey, F. J., & Speight, C. (2020). Sleep disturbances and fatigue in patients with chronic kidney disease. *Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease*, *11*, 2040622320902264.
Q.
Is Dialysis Inevitable? Why Your Kidneys Are Failing & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Dialysis is not inevitable for everyone with kidney disease; whether you need it depends on your eGFR, the speed of decline, your symptoms, and the underlying cause, and many people can slow or prevent progression with early, targeted care. There are several factors to consider; see below for medically approved next steps on blood pressure and diabetes control, kidney friendly diet and medication choices, when dialysis or transplant is truly needed, and red flag symptoms that require urgent care.
References:
* Yasin SS, Lim YW, Lee HS, Lim WH. Overview of the Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of Chronic Kidney Disease. J Clin Med. 2022 Jun 29;11(13):3742. doi: 10.3390/jcm11133742. PMID: 35807185.
* Chertow GM, Jha V, Lameire NH. Strategies for slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease. Kidney Int. 2022 Apr;101(4):652-663. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2021.11.026. Epub 2021 Dec 2. PMID: 34986348.
* Etemad KB, Vachon ML, Wong G. Conservative Kidney Management for Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease: A Narrative Review. J Gen Intern Med. 2023 May;38(5):1269-1277. doi: 10.1007/s11606-022-07903-w. Epub 2022 Oct 19. PMID: 36259972.
* Chertow GM, Sarnak MJ. Pharmacological Interventions for Chronic Kidney Disease: An Update. N Engl J Med. 2021 Jun 3;384(22):2110-2121. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra2034081. PMID: 34081827.
* Bakris GL, Chertow GM. Emerging Therapies for Chronic Kidney Disease. N Engl J Med. 2023 Mar 23;388(12):1109-1120. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra2208929. PMID: 36946950.
Q.
Creatinine Levels in Women 65+: What’s Normal & When to Worry
A.
Normal creatinine in women over 65 is typically 0.6 to 1.1 mg/dL, but lower values can reflect age related muscle loss and mildly higher numbers may still be OK; trends over time and eGFR usually tell kidney health more accurately than creatinine alone. Seek care sooner if creatinine rises quickly or stays high, or if you have swelling, shortness of breath, urine changes, diabetes, high blood pressure, or a falling eGFR; there are several factors to consider, and the important details and next steps are explained below.
References:
* Fliser D, Speer T. Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate in Older Adults. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2020 Aug;31(8):1687-1697. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2020030386. PMID: 32661009.
* Kovesdy CP. Sex differences in the prevalence and progression of CKD in older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2021 Jul 14;76(7):1260-1268. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glab016. PMID: 33496350.
* Lim K, et al. Aging and chronic kidney disease: a mini-review. Clin Exp Nephrol. 2018 Dec;22(6):1257-1264. doi: 10.1007/s10157-017-1498-8. PMID: 29093853.
* Levey AS, Stevens LA. Creatinine-based estimation of glomerular filtration rate for clinical practice: an update. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2017 Nov;26(6):449-455. doi: 10.1097/MNH.0000000000000366. PMID: 28837497.
* Denic A, et al. Age-Related Changes in Renal Structure and Function. Semin Nephrol. 2016 Nov;36(6):443-453. doi: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2016.08.005. PMID: 27968924.
Q.
Are there any kidney-friendly foods that lower creatinine?
A.
While no single food magically lowers creatinine, a kidney-friendly diet rich in fiber and with controlled protein intake can help manage creatinine levels, especially for those with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
References:
Salmean YA, Segal MS, Langkamp-Henken B, Canales MT, Zello GA, Dahl WJ. Foods with added fiber lower serum creatinine levels in patients with chronic kidney disease. J Ren Nutr. 2013 Mar;23(2):e29-32. doi: 10.1053/j.jrn.2012.04.002. Epub 2012 Jun 26. PMID: 22739658.
Lew SW, Bosch JP. Effect of diet on creatinine clearance and excretion in young and elderly healthy subjects and in patients with renal disease. J Am Soc Nephrol. 1991 Oct;2(4):856-65. doi: 10.1681/ASN.V24856. PMID: 1751789.
van Westing AC, Küpers LK, Geleijnse JM. Diet and Kidney Function: a Literature Review. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2020 Feb 3;22(2):14. doi: 10.1007/s11906-020-1020-1. PMID: 32016564; PMCID: PMC6997266.
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Zemaitis MR, Foris LA, Katta S, et al. Uremia. [Updated 2023 Apr 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441859/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441859/Uremia - Cleveland Clinic
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21509-uremia