More about chronic kidney disease

Kidney disease occurs when the kidneys do not work as well as they should.

It is considered to be chronic when the damage to the kidneys has been present for more than 3 months. When kidneys don't work as well as they should, waste builds up in the body, which can lead to other health problems.1

  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Heart disease and heart failure
  • Obesity
  • Age over 60 years
  • Family history of chronic kidney disease or kidney failure
  • Personal history of acute kidney injury
  • Glomerular diseases, such as:
    • glomerulonephritis (inflammation and damage to the glomerulus, which are the kidney filters)
    • IgA nephropathy (kidney disease)
    • HIV nephropathy (kidney disease)
  • Genetic disorders, such as:
    • polycystic kidney disease (cysts grow in the kidney and destroy normal kidney tissue)
    • Alport syndrome
  • Diseases in which the body’s immune system attacks its own cells and organs, such as lupus
  • Severe infections, such as:
    • sepsis
    • haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)

    • Kidney or blood cancer
    • Blockages in the flow of urine, such as kidney stones, enlarged prostate, tumours
    • Frequent untreated or long-lasting urinary tract infections
    • Hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidneys due to a block in the urine drainage)
    • Kidney and urinary tract abnormalities before birth
    • Drugs that damage the kidneys
    • Heavy metal poisoning, e.g. lead
    • Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels)2

    Resources

    Rare causes of kidney disease
    Patient information on rare kidney diseases, including a glossary that provides further explanations of specific medical terms.
    Source: UK Kidney Association

    Rare disease directory
    Australian information on rare kidney diseases, support organisations and research.
    Source: Rare Awareness Rare Education (RARE)

    • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
    • Heart disease and stroke
    • Anaemia (low red blood cells)
    • Abnormal levels of fats in the blood, such as high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides
    • Bone disease and overactive parathyroid glands
    • Electrolyte abnormalities (high potassium, high phosphate, low calcium)
    • Fluid overload, swelling and heart failure
    • Increased risk of acute kidney injury
    • Gout (high uric acid)
    • Metabolic acidosis (build-up of acid in the blood)
    • Malnutrition (decreased body stores of protein, loss of muscle, and changes to energy and micronutrient needs)
    • Frailty (reduced muscle strength and increased risk of falls and fractures)

    Symptoms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) vary from person to person. Some people experience many symptoms, while others may not experience any until they are close to kidney failure.

    General

    • Can’t move very well or do things you were able to do before
    • Feeling tired
    • Pain

    Gastrointestinal (digestive)

    • Nausea (feeling like going to be sick)
    • Vomiting (throwing up) or dry retching
    • Constipation or diarrhoea
    • Reduced appetite (don’t want to eat)
    • Sore or dry mouth

    Fluid build-up

    • Shortness of breath
    • Swollen ankles

    Urinary

    • Haematuria (blood in the urine)
    • Nocturia (needing to pee a lot at night)
    • Reduction in urine output (this is a late symptom)

    Skin and sensory changes

    • Itchy skin
    • Taste changes

    Muscle and nerve problems

    • Restless legs
    • Cramps

    There are often no symptoms early in CKD, making it difficult to diagnose. People who have one or more of the following risk factors should ask their doctor for a kidney health check every 1 to 2 years.

    Risk factors for CKD

    • Cardiovascular (heart) disease
    • Diabetes
    • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
    • Obesity (overweight)
    • Family history of CKD
    • Previous damage from a kidney infection
    • Age over 60 years
    • Tobacco or vape smoking
    • Acute kidney injury

    Additional factors

    • Low birth weight (< 2.5 kgs)
    • History of recurrent childhood infections
    • Remoteness
    • Low socioeconomic status
    • Housing insecurity and overcrowding
    • Lower level of education
    • Impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal peoples3,4

    Kidney health check

    A kidney health check is quick and simple, and can be done by your general practitioner as part of a regular check-up.

    It includes 3 tests to assess how well your kidneys are working:

    • A blood test
    • A urine test
    • A blood pressure check

    References

    1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. What is Chronic Kidney Disease. 2017. Cited 11 Sep 2023.
    2. National Kidney Foundation. Kidney Health. Cited 8 Feb 2024.
    3. Tunnicliffe DJ, Bateman S et al. Recommendations for culturally safe clinical kidney care for First Nations Australians: a guideline summary. Med J Aust 2023; 219 (8): 374-385. DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52114. Cited 6 May 2024.
    4. Walker C, Reid S, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for management of chronic kidney disease for Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand. Sydney: CARI Guidelines. 2023. Cited 16 Feb 2024.
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