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Chronic kidney disease usually causes no symptoms in its early stages. Only lab tests can detect any developing problems. Anyone at increased risk for chronic kidney disease should be routinely tested for development of this disease. Urine, blood, and imaging tests (X-rays) are used to detect kidney disease, as well as to follow its progress. All of these tests have limitations. They are often used together to develop a picture of the nature and extent of the kidney disease. In general, this testing can be performed on an outpatient basis. Urine Tests Urinalysis: Analysis of the urine affords enormous insight into the function of the kidneys. The first step in urinalysis is doing a dipstick test. The dipstick has reagents that check the urine for the presence of various normal and abnormal constituents including protein. Then, the urine is examined under a microscope to look for red and white blood cells, and the presence of casts and crystals (solids).

Several signs and symptoms may suggest complications of chronic kidney disease. Call your health care practitioner if you notice any of the following symptoms: Change in energy level or strength Increased water retention (puffiness or swelling) in the legs, around the eyes, or in other parts of the body Shortness of breath or change from normal breathing Nausea or vomiting Lightheadedness Severe bone or joint pain Easy bruising Itching If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney problems, see your health care practitioner right away if you know or suspect that you are pregnant. See your health care practitioner as recommended for monitoring and treatment of chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. The following signs and symptoms represent the possibility of a severe complication of chronic kidney disease and warrant a visit to the nearest hospital emergency department. Change in level of cons

The kidneys are remarkable in their ability to compensate for problems in their function. That is why chronic kidney disease may progress without symptoms for a long time until only very minimal kidney function is left. Because the kidneys perform so many functions for the body, kidney disease can affect the body in a large number of different ways. Symptoms vary greatly. Several different body systems may be affected. Notably, most patients have no decrease in urine output even with very advanced chronic kidney disease. Effects and symptoms of chronic kidney disease include; need to urinate frequently, especially at night (nocturia); swelling of the legs and puffiness around the eyes (fluid retention); high blood pressure; fatigue and weakness (from anemia or accumulation of waste products in the body); loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting; itching, easy bruising, and pale skin (from anemia); shortness of breath from fluid accumulation in the lungs

Although chronic kidney disease sometimes results from primary diseases of the kidneys themselves, the major causes are diabetes and high blood pressure. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus cause a condition called diabetic nephropathy, which is the leading cause of kidney disease in the United States. High blood pressure (hypertension), if not controlled, can damage the kidneys over time. Glomerulonephritis is the inflammation and damage of the filtration system of the kidneys, which can cause kidney failure. Postinfectious conditions and lupus are among the many causes of glomerulonephritis. Polycystic kidney disease is an example of a hereditary cause of chronic kidney disease wherein both kidneys have multiple cysts. Use of analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) regularly over long durations of time can cause analgesic nephropathy, another cause of kidney disease. Certain other medications can also damage the kidneys

Normal Kidneys and Their Function The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs that lie on either side of the spine in the lower middle of the back. Each kidney weighs about ¼ pound and contains approximately one million filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron is made of a glomerulus and a tubule. The glomerulus is a miniature filtering or sieving device while the tubule is a tiny tube like structure attached to the glomerulus. The kidneys are connected to the urinary bladder by tubes called ureters. Urine is stored in the urinary bladder until the bladder is emptied by urinating. The bladder is connected to the outside of the body by another tube like structure called the urethra. The main function of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess water from the blood. The kidneys process about 200 liters of blood every day and produce about two liters of urine. The waste products are generated from normal metabolic processes including the breakdown of ac

We do not yet know of a way to prevent type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, however, can be prevented in some cases. Control weight to normal or near-normal levels by eating a healthy low-fat, high-fiber diet. Regular exercise is crucial to the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Keep alcohol consumption low. Quit smoking. If you have high blood fat levels (such as high cholesterol) or high blood pressure, take your medication as directed. Lifestyle modification and/or certain medications can be used in people with prediabetes to prevent progression to diabetes. Pre-diabetes can be diagnosed by checking fasting glucose and two hours after ingesting 75 grams of glucose. If you or someone you know already have diabetes, your focus should be on preventing the complications, which can cause serious disabilities such as blindness, kidney failure requiring dialysis, amputation, or even death. Tight glucose control: The single best thing the patient can do is t

Treatment Usually, low blood pressure with no symptoms requires little intervention. If low blood pressure is associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, or occurs because of active bleeding, treatment will occur at the same time as the diagnostic evaluation. These combinations may be truly life-threatening, and the healthcare provider may need to transfer the patient to an emergency department for further care. A patient with low blood pressure who is symptomatic may be considered to be in shock (a situation where organs can't function because of lack of blood supply). Intravenous fluids and oxygen may be given, and heart monitoring may be necessary. Based upon the underlying complaints and potential diagnosis, specific therapy may be started even without a firm diagnosis. Examples include antibiotics for a patient with an infection, adrenaline and an antihistamine for a patient with an allergic reaction, or blood transfusion for a patient who is

If low blood pressure is the normal state for a patient, then there will be no symptoms. If low blood pressure is symptomatic, then the patient may feel: lightheaded, dizzy and weak, short of breath, or have chest pain. The symptoms will depend upon which organ in the body is lacking adequate blood flow.

High blood pressure may be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle, including some of the following: eating a nutritious, low-fat diet; exercising regularly; decreasing salt (sodium) intake, read food labels so you know the salt content before you buy a product in the grocery store or eating a meal at a fast food restaurant, and avoid adding salt to foods; maintain a healthy weight and if you are overweight or obese, try to lose weight; drink alcohol in moderation; stop smoking; get routine health assessments and blood pressure screening; taking your blood pressure medications as directed, even if you're feeling fine; and reduce stress and practice relaxation techniques, physical activity will help with this.

Risk refers to the odds that something will occur, but there are no guarantees. Having one or more risk factors does not mean heart disease is inevitable. Similarly, absence of risk factors does not guarantee you will not have heart disease. Monitoring and modifying certain risk factors is the best way to prevent coronary heart disease. If possible, adopt a healthy lifestyle early in life. Because risk factors are interrelated, many are present together in the same person. Thus, moderate changes in one area of your life often reduce other risk factors at the same time. You can't change some risk factors. Age: Men older than 45 years and women older than 55 years are at increased risk for coronary heart disease. Family history: If someone in your immediate family has had coronary heart disease, angina, or heart attack by age 55 years, your risk of developing heart disease is increased. If heart disease runs in the family, seek medical attention