Overview
Chronic kidney disease is gradual, permanent loss of kidney function, most often from years of uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes — and it is silent until far advanced. Simple urine and blood tests detect it early, when treatment can slow or stop the decline. Unregulated herbal mixtures and habitual painkiller use are additional, avoidable causes in Nigeria.
Symptoms
- Usually none in early stages
- Swelling of the legs, feet or face
- Foamy urine
- Tiredness and poor concentration
- Reduced or excessive night-time urination
- Poor appetite, nausea or metallic taste
- Itching and muscle cramps (advanced)
Causes & risk factors
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Diabetes
- Chronic glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation)
- Habitual use of NSAID painkillers and unregulated herbal mixtures
- Recurrent kidney infections or obstruction
Treatment & self-care
Treatment focuses on protecting remaining function: strict blood-pressure and sugar control with medicines your doctor selects, a kidney-friendly diet (less salt, moderated protein as advised), and stopping kidney-harming drugs and concoctions. Regular monitoring tracks the disease, and advanced failure is managed with dialysis or transplant. Anyone with hypertension or diabetes should have kidney tests at least yearly.
See a doctor urgently if
- Swelling of legs or face with foamy urine
- Hypertensive or diabetic and never had kidney tests
- Persistent nausea, weakness or itching with reduced urine
- Very high BP with headache or visual changes