Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon ComplicationsPreventionTreatmentWhen to See a ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Complications
Prevention
Treatment
When to See a Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Chronic kidney disease(CKD) occurs when there is damage to the kidneys and they no longer filter blood the way they should. One job of the kidneys is to filter waste and fluid from the blood to produce urine. When the kidneys are damaged, waste and fluid can build up in the body and lead to other health problems.
Chronic kidney disease is a common condition. People with diabetes, high blood pressure,heart disease, and a family history of CKD are more likely to develop the disease. Chronic kidney disease slowly progresses over time. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to slowing or stopping progression through the stages of the disease.
PeopleImages / Getty Images
There are five stages of chronic kidney disease. In stages 1 and 2, there is minimal damage to the kidneys, and they still work well. There may be no symptoms and few indications that something is wrong, such as protein in the urine.
In stage 3, the damage to the kidneys has progressed, and the kidneys no longer function as well as they should. Symptoms such as fatigue may become noticeable. With treatment and healthy lifestyle changes, many people do not progress tostages 4and 5.
In stages 4 and 5, damage to the kidneys is severe, and the kidneys barely function or may not function at all. In stage 5, complete kidney failure is possible.As CKD patients progress through the stages of the disease, complications may arise.
This article will discuss common and serious complications associated with chronic kidney disease, how to prevent and treat complications, and when to see a healthcare provider.
Chronic kidney disease can cause a variety of other conditions as the kidneys’ ability to function properly decreases.
Fluid Retention
Fluid retention can cause swelling in the hands and feet and other areas of the body. This occurs due to the kidneys' inability to filter excess sodium from the body, causing it to retain water. Swelling can negatively affect the quality of life.
Anemia
It’s common to have both kidney disease andanemia. Anemia is a condition in which the amount of healthy red blood cells in the body is lower than normal.
Gout
Goutis an inflammatory arthritis in whichuratecrystals build up in the body, most often in the joints, causing pain and immobility. Urate excretion (removal from the blood) normally occurs through the kidneys. In CKD, when the kidneys are not functioning as well as they should, urate accumulates and gout becomes more common.
Mineral Imbalances
Metabolic Acidosis
CKD can affect thepH balance(acid/base balance) of the blood, causing it to become more acidic. This is known as metabolic acidosis.
Metabolic acidosis affects the systems of the body and can cause muscle wasting, heart failure (the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs), andinsulin resistance(impaired sugar metabolism), among other conditions.
Gastrointestinal Issues
A buildup of waste in the body can cause problems with the digestive system. Chronic diarrhea is common, as well as inflammation of the stomach lining, ulcers in theesophagus(food tube), and inflammation in the small intestine.
Sexual Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction(ED) commonly occurs with CKD due to a lack of blood flow. Treating ED can improve the quality of life. If you experience erectile dysfunction (inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for penetration), you should also be screened for heart disease as ED often occurs before heart disease.
Low testosteronecan slo occur in CKD. In addition to ED, low testosterone can also lead to low energy, clairy of thinking, and libido.
Weakened Bones
Due to the mineral imbalances that can occur with CKD, bones can become weakened making you more susceptible to fractures andosteoporosis(meaning “porous bones,” when bone mass and mineral density decrease).
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is one of the most damaging complications of CKD and is believed to speed up the decline in kidney function.
Reduced Immune Response
The immune system in people with CKD is often impaired. Normally, the immune system fights off infection and disease. In people with CKD, the immune response does not function the way it should.
Chronic inflammation and wasting of antibodies in the urine (which does not happen normally) can all contribute to the reduced immune response.
Heart Disease
The risk of heart disease increases as CKD progresses. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in CKD. Imbalanced minerals and hormones, high blood pressure, and hardened arteries can all contribute to heart disease in CKD.
Preventing Complications
While kidney damage cannot be reversed, there are steps you can take to prevent complications and slow the progression of CKD.
Diet and Nutrition
Making changes to your diet can help protect your kidneys from further damage and limit complications. While a dietitian can help you create a meal plan that works best for your body, healthy changes anyone with CKD can make to their diet include:
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can also help prevent further damage to your kidneys and improve your overall health. Changes you can make include:
Mental Health
Depression and anxiety commonly occur with CKD. Talking to a mental health professional can help you deal with the stress of the disease itself and also the depression and anxiety that may occur along with it.
Finding ways to manage stress such as meditation or physical activity can also help with mental health.
Treating Complications
Treating complications of CKD and CKD itself require a multidisciplinary approach (involving different types of healthcare providers).
Managing the diseaseincludes monitoring trends in kidney function through blood and urine tests, medical treatments such as prescription drugs to treat high blood pressure, and lifestyle modifications, such as quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight.
Depending on the nature of the complication, treatment could include medications, dietary changes, or a referral to a specialist, such as a cardiologist to treat heart disease.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
It is important to maintain a regular schedule with your healthcare provider so that they can monitor the function of your kidneys. Changes in kidney function cannot always be felt and need to be monitored through blood and urine tests.
If you experience complications, or your symptoms become worse, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider so they can recommend a proper treatment plan.
Summary
Chronic kidney disease can cause other conditions and complications, such as fluid retention, sexual dysfunction, and heart disease. Maintaining a regular schedule with your healthcare provider, eating a kidney supportive diet, making healthy lifestyle changes, and taking care of your mental health can all help you live well with the disease.
A Word From Verywell
While living with chronic kidney disease can lead to complications and other conditions, it is important to note that not everyone experiences each complication.
Maintaining a good relationship with your healthcare provider, asking questions when you don’t understand something, and taking steps to improve your overall health and protect your kidneys can all help you live well with the disease.
Frequently Asked QuestionsKidney disease left untreated can lead to kidney failure (the kidneys do not work well enough on their own to keep you alive, and you need dialysis to remove wastes or a kidney transplant).Kidney damage causes scarring and cannot be repaired.Signs ofkidney failureinclude making little to no urine, pain or stiffness in the joints, difficulty sleeping at night, itching, loss of hunger, weight loss, and feeling confused.
Kidney disease left untreated can lead to kidney failure (the kidneys do not work well enough on their own to keep you alive, and you need dialysis to remove wastes or a kidney transplant).
Kidney damage causes scarring and cannot be repaired.
Signs ofkidney failureinclude making little to no urine, pain or stiffness in the joints, difficulty sleeping at night, itching, loss of hunger, weight loss, and feeling confused.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is chronic kidney disease?American Kidney Fund.Stages of kidney disease.Bello AK, Alrukhaimi M, Ashuntantang GE, et al.Complications of chronic kidney disease: current state, knowledge gaps, and strategy for action.Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2017;7(2):122-129. doi:10.1016/j.kisu.2017.07.007National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Anemia in chronic kidney disease.Vargas-Santos AB, Neogi T.Management of gout and hyperuricemia in CKD.Am J Kidney Dis. 2017;70(3):422-439. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2017.01.055National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Mineral & bone disorder in chronic kidney disease.Adamczak M, Surma S.Metabolic acidosis in patients with CKD: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment.Kidney Dis (Basel). 2021;7(6):452-467. doi:10.1159/000516371Thomas R, Panackal C, John M, et al.Gastrointestinal complications in patients with chronic kidney disease–a 5-year retrospective study from a tertiary referral center.Ren Fail. 2013;35(1):49-55. doi:10.3109/0886022X.2012.731998Papadopoulou E, Varouktsi A, Lazaridis A, Boutari C, Doumas M.Erectile dysfunction in chronic kidney disease: From pathophysiology to management.World J Nephrol. 2015;4(3):379-387. doi:10.5527/wjn.v4.i3.379Espi M, Koppe L, Fouque D, Thaunat O.Chronic kidney disease-associated immune dysfunctions: impact of protein-bound uremic retention solutes on immune cells.Toxins (Basel). 2020;12(5):300. doi:10.3390/toxins12050300National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating right for chronic kidney disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Managing chronic kidney disease.Simões E Silva AC, Miranda AS, Rocha NP, Teixeira AL.Neuropsychiatric disorders in chronic kidney disease.Front Pharmacol. 2019;10:932. doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.00932National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Manage patients with chronic kidney disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is kidney failure?.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is chronic kidney disease?American Kidney Fund.Stages of kidney disease.Bello AK, Alrukhaimi M, Ashuntantang GE, et al.Complications of chronic kidney disease: current state, knowledge gaps, and strategy for action.Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2017;7(2):122-129. doi:10.1016/j.kisu.2017.07.007National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Anemia in chronic kidney disease.Vargas-Santos AB, Neogi T.Management of gout and hyperuricemia in CKD.Am J Kidney Dis. 2017;70(3):422-439. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2017.01.055National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Mineral & bone disorder in chronic kidney disease.Adamczak M, Surma S.Metabolic acidosis in patients with CKD: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment.Kidney Dis (Basel). 2021;7(6):452-467. doi:10.1159/000516371Thomas R, Panackal C, John M, et al.Gastrointestinal complications in patients with chronic kidney disease–a 5-year retrospective study from a tertiary referral center.Ren Fail. 2013;35(1):49-55. doi:10.3109/0886022X.2012.731998Papadopoulou E, Varouktsi A, Lazaridis A, Boutari C, Doumas M.Erectile dysfunction in chronic kidney disease: From pathophysiology to management.World J Nephrol. 2015;4(3):379-387. doi:10.5527/wjn.v4.i3.379Espi M, Koppe L, Fouque D, Thaunat O.Chronic kidney disease-associated immune dysfunctions: impact of protein-bound uremic retention solutes on immune cells.Toxins (Basel). 2020;12(5):300. doi:10.3390/toxins12050300National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating right for chronic kidney disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Managing chronic kidney disease.Simões E Silva AC, Miranda AS, Rocha NP, Teixeira AL.Neuropsychiatric disorders in chronic kidney disease.Front Pharmacol. 2019;10:932. doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.00932National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Manage patients with chronic kidney disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is kidney failure?.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is chronic kidney disease?American Kidney Fund.Stages of kidney disease.Bello AK, Alrukhaimi M, Ashuntantang GE, et al.Complications of chronic kidney disease: current state, knowledge gaps, and strategy for action.Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2017;7(2):122-129. doi:10.1016/j.kisu.2017.07.007National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Anemia in chronic kidney disease.Vargas-Santos AB, Neogi T.Management of gout and hyperuricemia in CKD.Am J Kidney Dis. 2017;70(3):422-439. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2017.01.055National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Mineral & bone disorder in chronic kidney disease.Adamczak M, Surma S.Metabolic acidosis in patients with CKD: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment.Kidney Dis (Basel). 2021;7(6):452-467. doi:10.1159/000516371Thomas R, Panackal C, John M, et al.Gastrointestinal complications in patients with chronic kidney disease–a 5-year retrospective study from a tertiary referral center.Ren Fail. 2013;35(1):49-55. doi:10.3109/0886022X.2012.731998Papadopoulou E, Varouktsi A, Lazaridis A, Boutari C, Doumas M.Erectile dysfunction in chronic kidney disease: From pathophysiology to management.World J Nephrol. 2015;4(3):379-387. doi:10.5527/wjn.v4.i3.379Espi M, Koppe L, Fouque D, Thaunat O.Chronic kidney disease-associated immune dysfunctions: impact of protein-bound uremic retention solutes on immune cells.Toxins (Basel). 2020;12(5):300. doi:10.3390/toxins12050300National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating right for chronic kidney disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Managing chronic kidney disease.Simões E Silva AC, Miranda AS, Rocha NP, Teixeira AL.Neuropsychiatric disorders in chronic kidney disease.Front Pharmacol. 2019;10:932. doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.00932National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Manage patients with chronic kidney disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is kidney failure?.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is chronic kidney disease?
American Kidney Fund.Stages of kidney disease.
Bello AK, Alrukhaimi M, Ashuntantang GE, et al.Complications of chronic kidney disease: current state, knowledge gaps, and strategy for action.Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2017;7(2):122-129. doi:10.1016/j.kisu.2017.07.007
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Anemia in chronic kidney disease.
Vargas-Santos AB, Neogi T.Management of gout and hyperuricemia in CKD.Am J Kidney Dis. 2017;70(3):422-439. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2017.01.055
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Mineral & bone disorder in chronic kidney disease.
Adamczak M, Surma S.Metabolic acidosis in patients with CKD: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment.Kidney Dis (Basel). 2021;7(6):452-467. doi:10.1159/000516371
Thomas R, Panackal C, John M, et al.Gastrointestinal complications in patients with chronic kidney disease–a 5-year retrospective study from a tertiary referral center.Ren Fail. 2013;35(1):49-55. doi:10.3109/0886022X.2012.731998
Papadopoulou E, Varouktsi A, Lazaridis A, Boutari C, Doumas M.Erectile dysfunction in chronic kidney disease: From pathophysiology to management.World J Nephrol. 2015;4(3):379-387. doi:10.5527/wjn.v4.i3.379
Espi M, Koppe L, Fouque D, Thaunat O.Chronic kidney disease-associated immune dysfunctions: impact of protein-bound uremic retention solutes on immune cells.Toxins (Basel). 2020;12(5):300. doi:10.3390/toxins12050300
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating right for chronic kidney disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Managing chronic kidney disease.
Simões E Silva AC, Miranda AS, Rocha NP, Teixeira AL.Neuropsychiatric disorders in chronic kidney disease.Front Pharmacol. 2019;10:932. doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.00932
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Manage patients with chronic kidney disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is kidney failure?.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
