Can Kidney Disease Cause Fatigue

Stages Of Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease occurs when one suffers from gradual and usually permanent loss of kidney function over time. This happens gradually, usually over months to years. Chronic kidney disease is divided into five stages of increasing severity. The term “renal” refers to the kidney, so another name for kidney failure is “renal failure.” Mild kidney disease is often called renal insufficiency.

With loss of kidney function, there is an accumulation of water, waste, and toxic substances in the body that are normally excreted by the kidney. Loss of kidney function also causes other problems such as anemia, high blood pressure, acidosis , disorders of cholesterol and fatty acids, and bone disease.

Stage 5 chronic kidney disease is also referred to as kidney failure, end-stage kidney disease, or end-stage renal disease, wherein there is total or near-total loss of kidney function. There is dangerous accumulation of water, waste, and toxic substances, and most individuals in this stage of kidney disease need dialysis or transplantation to stay alive.

Symptoms Of Kidney Stones

Small stones are unlikely to cause you much of a problem. Symptoms dont usually occur until the kidney stone has got to a size where it becomes stuck in either the kidney, ureters or urethra. A stone blocking the ureter can also cause a kidney infection to develop, which can cause a different set of symptoms.

If you have a large stone you may experience:

• Persistent ache in your lower back or groin
• Intense pain that comes in waves in your back, abdomen or groin that can last for several minutes or several hours
• Feeling generally uncomfortable or restless

Symptoms of a kidney infection include:

• A high temperature of 38C or higher
• Chills and shivering

Factors Associated With Fatigue

Age and race were not associated with fatigue on any of the 3 scales . Unemployed status was associated with fatigue on all 3 scales, such that participants that were employed were less likely to report any fatigue symptoms compared to those that were unemployed, OR 0.41 on the QIDS-SR16 and 0.47 on the BDI-I . Employed individuals also reported less severe fatigue on the SF-12, regression coefficient 0.68 . Increase in the number of comorbid medical conditions was associated with the presence of fatigue on the BDI-I, OR 1.33 , and increased severity of fatigue as measured by the SF-12, regression coefficient 0.24 . The presence of MDD was associated with fatigue on the BDI-I and the SF-12, but because all participants with MDD identified fatigue on the QIDS-SR16, an OR could not be calculated for this association . Use of antidepressant medications was associated with fatigue on the QIDS-SR16, OR 4.34 , the BDI-I, OR 2.54 , and the SF-12, regression coefficient 0.64 . Finally, each 1 g/dL decrease in hemoglobin concentration was associated with fatigue on the BDI-I, OR 1.19 , and a 13% increase in fatigue severity on the SF-12 scale, regression coefficient 0.13 .

Table 2.

Variables associated with fatigue reported on QIDS-SR16, BDI-I, and SF-12 scales in univariate models

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How Are Kidney Stones Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will discuss your medical history and possibly order some tests. These tests include:

• Imaging tests: An X-ray, CT scan and ultrasound will help your healthcare provider see the size, shape, location and number of your kidney stones. These tests help your provider decide what treatment you need.
• Blood test: A blood test will reveal how well your kidneys are functioning, check for infection and look for biochemical problems that may lead to kidney stones.
• Urine test: This test also looks for signs of infection and examines the levels of the substances that form kidney stones.

How Does Kidney Infection Affect Your Stomach

The two kidneys are quite close to your stomach. This makes a problem in the kidney have greater chance to affect the stomach. For instance, sometime the infection in the kidney can be painful enough to also affect the stomach, causing lower abdominal pain. Appetite loss is another kidney infection symptom, as noted before.

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Will I Need To Take Medicines Or Follow A Special Diet

Most likely. Your healthcare team will work with you to develop a treatment plan thats right for you. Your treatment plan may include taking medicines, restricting salt, limiting certain foods, getting exercise, and more. You will also need treatment for any other health problems you may have, including high blood pressure or diabetes.

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Correction Of Phosphate Balance

If you have stage four or five kidney disease, you can get a build-up of phosphate in your body because your kidneys cannot get rid of it. Phosphate is a mineral that, with calcium, makes up most of your bones. Phosphate is obtained through diet, mainly dairy foods. The kidneys usually filter out excess phosphate. If phosphate levels rise too much, it can upset the normal calcium balance of the body. This can lead to thinning of the bones and furring of the arteries.

You may be asked to limit the amount of phosphate in your diet. Foods high in phosphate include red meat, dairy produce, eggs and fish. Your GP or dietitian should be able to advise you about how much phosphate you can eat. However, there is no advantage in reducing your intake of these foods unless you have a raised phosphate level. Always ask a healthcare professional before changing your diet.

If reducing the amount of phosphate in your diet does not lower your phosphate level enough, you may be given medicines called phosphate binders. These medicines bind to the phosphate in the food inside your stomach and stop it from being absorbed into your body.

To work properly, phosphate binders must be taken just before meals. The most commonly used phosphate binder is calcium carbonate, but there are also alternatives that may be more suitable for you.

The side effects of phosphate binders are uncommon but include:

• itchy skin

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Anemia Affects Many Aspects Of Their Lives

Two hallmark symptoms of anemiatiredness and feeling coldcame up over and over in the responses. For some, the tiredness is debilitating: I had to stop working because I was always falling asleep on the job, says Barbara. Cynthia tells us that anemia also affected my livelihood. I was bedridden most of the time. Another respondent, Deborah, notes that With anemia, I have intermittent tiredness. It often prevents my performing some of my daily routines and affects plans that I make.

Brenda says anemia makes her lethargic. I do try to conserve energy for very important things, she says. Sometimes there is success, sometimes not.

Appendicitis Kidney Stones Abdominal Health Emergencies: Warning Signs Symptoms

It can be easy to blame your abdominal pain on indigestion or stress. But sometimes the pain is more serious, and youll need to see a doctor to diagnose appendicitis or any other more serious abdominal conditions. Learn which symptoms to watch out for and when you should get medical help.

Did you know that stomach pain is the most common reason for emergency room visits? When a person is unsure about what to do, it may be best to call a doctor to decide if an ER visit is necessary.

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Signs Of Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4 And Daytime Sleepiness

The symptoms of advanced kidney disease, such as CKD stage4 or stage 5, may happen very slowly and mildly and the patient may fail to notice the change. Daytime sleepiness is a good example.

Daytime Sleepiness

Daytime sleepiness means feeling tired and sleepy in which people may fail to keep the eyes open during the daytime. Sleepiness in a person is physically identified by consistent yawning and inattentive behavior. Daytime sleepiness can be a consequence of many diseases or bad living habits and it is also a physical change in patients with CKD stage 4 or Stage5.

Why Daytime Sleepiness happens in patients with advanced Kidney Disease Stage?

Sleep Deprivation

It was reported that daytime sleepiness and its causes that daytime sleepiness is in facta consequence of sleep deprivation. What should be blamed for sleep deprivation in CKD sufferers?

There are 3 major causes which should be responsible for the sleep deprivation, namely restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, inadequate Dialysis clearance.

The severity of restless leg syndrome varies from patient to patient. However, because restless leg syndrome occurs when you are trying to relax or fall asleep, it can leave you feeling tired from lack of rest.

Many patients do not remember the apneas they experienced during the night. However, because their sleep is interrupted, they will often feel tired and drowsy during the day.

How to manage the daytime sleepiness in CKD stage4?

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Kidney Stones: Shock Wave Therapy

The most common medical procedure for treating kidney stones is known as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy . This therapy uses high-energy shock waves to break a kidney stone into little pieces. The small pieces can then move through the urinary tract more easily. Side effects can include bleeding, bruising, or pain after the procedure.

When To Get Medical Advice

See your GP if you have persistent or worrying symptoms that you think could be caused by kidney disease.

The symptoms of kidney disease can be caused by many less serious conditions, so it’s important to get a proper diagnosis.

If you do have CKD, it’s best to get it diagnosed as soon as possible. Kidney disease can be diagnosed by having blood and urine tests.

Find out more about how CKD is diagnosed.

Page last reviewed: 29 August 2019 Next review due: 29 August 2022

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What Are The Symptoms Of Chronic Kidney Disease

There is no shortage of symptoms that could indicate CKD. These include nausea and vomiting, and a loss of appetite. The ironic pairing of both fatigue and troubles sleeping. Frequent or less frequent urination can also be a reliable indicator along with muscle twitches and cramps. Itching and swelling of the feet and ankles. It’s not uncommon to experience shortness of breath or chest pain if there is a fluid build up in the lungs or heart respectively.

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Anemia And Chronic Kidney Disease

What is anemia?Anemia happens when your red blood cells are in short supply. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body, giving you the energy you need for your daily activities.

What are the symptoms of anemia?Anemia can cause you to:

• Feel dizzy or have headaches
• Have a rapid heartbeat
• Feel depressed or down in the dumps

Why do people with kidney disease get anemia?Your kidneys make an important hormone called erythropoietin . Hormones are chemical messengers that travel to tissues and organs to help you stay healthy. EPO tells your body to make red blood cells. When you have kidney disease, your kidneys cannot make enough EPO. Low EPO levels cause your red blood cell count to drop and anemia to develop.

Most people with kidney disease will develop anemia. Anemia can happen early in the course of kidney disease and grow worse as kidneys fail and can no longer make EPO. Anemia is especially common if you:

• Have diabetes
• Have moderate or severe loss of kidney function
• Have kidney failure
• Are female

How do you treat anemia?Your treatment will depend on the exact cause of your anemia.If your anemia is due to kidney disease, your healthcare provider will treat you with:

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How Do You Get Flu

Among the symptoms you can get from kidney stones not related to urination are nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. A bad enough case can cause nausea and vomiting, while an infection in the kidney or bladder can cause fever and chills.

Many of these symptoms are also closely associated with bad cases of the flu, which can create confusion over what condition you have. When you have these symptoms in addition to abdominal pain and urinary problems, they may be the sign of an infection, so you should seek treatment as soon as possible. Your doctor can treats the infection in addition to helping you pass the stone.

A blood or urine test can determine if youre dealing with kidney stones. Treatments are available, including anti inflammatory drugs, allopurinol to reduce uric acid levels, shock wave lithotripsy to break up larger stones, ureteroscope , or surgery.

Kidney stones can be painful, but many treatment options are available. If youre dealing with kidney stones and need treatment, make an appointment with Drs. Herman, Kester and Urology Center of Florida today.

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Appetite And Weight Changes

The collective effects of the physical and emotional strain of the disease, its related complications, and its treatments, can wreak havoc on your appetite, which can cause weight changes and further health issues.

• Nausea and vomiting: For those with CKD, nausea and vomiting may include uremic toxin buildup, medications, gastroparesis , peptic ulcers , gastroesophageal reflux disease , and gallbladder disease, among others.
• Loss of appetite: In the early to middle stages of kidney disease, compounds build in the blood that suppresses appetite and can affect your sense of taste. Foods you once enjoyed may start to taste metallic. Depression, anxiety, medications, and other treatments can contribute to appetite loss.

Kidney disease can cause appetite loss, which, in turn, can provoke weight loss.

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What Is Good Kidney Disease Care

According to a national review, kidney disease services should:

• identify people at risk of kidney disease, especially people with high blood pressure or diabetes, and treat them as early as possible to maintain their kidney function
• give people access to investigative treatment and follow them up to reduce the risk of the disease getting worse
• give people good-quality information about managing their condition
• provide information about the development of the disease and treatment options
• provide access to a specialist renal team
• give people access to transplant or dialysis services if required
• provide supportive care

Your treatment for kidney disease will need to be reviewed regularly.

It may be helpful for you to make a care plan because this can help you manage your day-to-day health. Your kidney disease specialist nurse may be able to help with this.

What Lifestyle Changes Can I Make

Chronic kidney disease will gradually get worse, but there is plenty you can do to slow the progression and improve your quality of life. Changes you should make include:

• stop smoking
• eat a healthy diet. That means eating a variety of vegetables, fruits, wholegrain cereals, lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds, legumes and beans, and low-fat dairy products. Make sure you limit salt to less than 6g a day and limit your intake of saturated and trans fats. In the later stages of chronic kidney disease, you may need to follow specific instructions from your doctor on what you can eat or drink
• maintaining a healthy weight. If you have chronic kidney disease, you should ideally have a BMI of 25 or less
• limit alcohol to less than 2 standard drinks a day
• be physically active on most, preferably all, days of the week. Aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous physical activity each week, and make sure you do some muscle strengthening exercises
• take medicines to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or other underlying conditions

If you are being treated for chronic kidney disease, your doctors may need to change other medicines you are on, since many medicines can affect the kidneys, such as blood pressure drugs and anti-inflammatories. Some medicines which leave the body through the kidneys may need to have their dose adjusted.

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