If you have higher blood pressure or diabetes, you are more prone to chronic kidney disease (CKD). These conditions are the top two causes of CKD meaning it is recommended that people with these conditions get a yearly checkup to insure normal kidney function. High Blood Pressure can worsen the effects of CKD by damaging the blood vessels in the kidneys. Controlling your blood sugar, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and weight can lower your chances of CDK.

What to look out for

Abnormal Urination

Kidneys are used in order to filter your blood to remove any waste and extra fluids. This filtration system creates urine. Look out for an increase in urination, blood in your urine, as well as foam and/or bubbles. Foaming and bubbles could be a result of proteins are being filtered out of your body.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are common symptoms among women. 

Lack of Appetite

Without normal kidney functions the toxins/waste build up resulting in fullness, drowsiness that leads to lack of eating, or being too ill to eat. 

Swollen/Puffiness around the Eyes

This is an early sign of kidney disease due to the lack of effective filtration from the kidneys. Proteins are being removed from the body, instead of being put back into the blood stream, through urine causing the swelling or puffiness in eyes. 

Fatigue

Fatigue is a term used to describe a lack of energy without reason. It is common that CKD can cause anemia which may also be causing the overwhelmingly tiredness, shortness of breath and weakness throughout the body. Anemia is when your body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells resulting in your body tissue not receiving a correct amount of oxygen. 

Itchiness

Itchiness can be caused by an increase level of phosphorous, caused by an imbalance of minerals and nutrients. Increased phosphorous is an important sign in CKD as well as an ongoing battle with current people with the disease. Extra phosphorous within the body can result in changes resulting in calcium being pulled from the bones causing weakness and muscle cramping. 

It is important to remember that early CKD does not always show symptoms. In most cases, symptoms are only shown during stages 3 through 5. Early stages of CKD are often only caught through regular testing.