You might have heard of the term Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) but what is it and what are the symptoms to look out for?

Chronic Kidney Disease is a common condition where the kidneys are unable to work as well as they should and it’s long-term, according to the NHS website.

The condition is common and can affect anyone but it’s more common in people who are black or of south Asian origin.

CDK can progressively get worse and sometimes the kidneys can stop working altogether but it’s uncommon for this to happen.

From symptoms to look out for to how it can be treated, here’s what we know about the condition.

What are the symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease?

In the early stages, someone with CKD won’t notice any symptoms, however, if it’s at a more advanced stage, symptoms may be noticed.

In the early stage, CKD might only be diagnosed following a blood or urine test for a different reason – the results could highlight a possible problem with the kidneys.

At a more advanced stage, symptoms to look out for include tiredness, swollen ankles, feet or hands, shortness of breath, feeling sick and blood in your urine.

The NHS urges you to see a GP if you have persistent or worrying symptoms which you think could be related to kidney disease.

Find out more about CKD via the NHS website.

What causes Chronic Kidney Disease?

The NHS explains that CKD can be caused by multiple factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney infections, glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation), autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (inherited condition), blockages in the flow of urine and long-term regular use of certain medicines.

What is high cholesterol?

Making healthy lifestyle changes and keeping any underlying conditions you have controlled could help prevent Chronic Kidney Disease.

Can Chronic Kidney Disease be cured or treated?

There is no cure for CKD but treatment can help improve symptoms and prevent it from worsening.

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The type of treatment you receive depends on how severe your condition is.

The main treatments are lifestyle changes to help you stay as healthy as possible, medication to help control associated problems like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, dialysis and a kidney transplant.

Regular check ups will be advised so your condition can be monitored.