Chronic Kidney Disease

Also called: CKD, acute kidney disease, chronic renal failure, end stage renal disease, ESRD

Chronic kidney disease occurs when kidneys are no longer able to clean toxins and waste product from the blood and perform their functions to full capacity. This can happen all of a sudden or over time.

Symptoms of chronic kidney disease can include changes in urination; swelling of the feet, ankles, hands or face; fatigue or weakness; shortness of breath; ammonia breath or an ammonia or metal taste in the mouth; back or flank pain; itching; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting; and more hypoglycemic episodes if diabetic.

Related articles on DaVita.com

• Definition, Causes and Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease
• Stages of Kidney Disease

External articles and portals

• Chronic Kidney Disease Overview – eMedicineHealth
• Chronic kidney disease – Familydoctor.org

Journals

• Article: Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and decreased kidney function in the adult US population: Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
• Article: National Kidney Foundation Practice Guidelines for Chronic Kidney Disease: Evaluation, Classification, and Stratification

Organizations

• National Kidney Foundation
• American Association of Kidney Patients