The short answer: Feeling unusually cold can occur in people with kidney disease, but cold intolerance is not a specific sign of CKD. Anemia is a common contributor, while thyroid problems, low body weight, poor nutrition, reduced blood flow, certain medications, and simply being in a cold environment can also play a role. If you … Read more
The short answer: Nausea and poor appetite can occur in advanced CKD when waste products and other metabolic changes build up as kidney function declines. This is sometimes described as uremic nausea or, less precisely, “uremic gastritis.” However, nausea in someone with stage 4 or 5 CKD should not automatically be blamed on uremia. Medications, … Read more
The short answer: Renal osteodystrophy is a group of bone changes caused by advanced or persistent chronic kidney disease (CKD). Healthy kidneys help regulate phosphorus, calcium, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). When kidney function declines, this balance can be disrupted, changing how bones are built and maintained. The title needs one important clarification: kidney … Read more
The short answer: Metabolic acidosis can develop in chronic kidney disease (CKD) because damaged kidneys become less able to remove acid and maintain the body’s normal bicarbonate level. Sodium bicarbonate, commonly called baking soda, can raise blood bicarbonate in some people with CKD. However, it is not a universal treatment, and taking ordinary baking soda … Read more
The short answer: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is relatively common in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly in advanced CKD and dialysis. Low iron stores can contribute to RLS, but the relationship is more complicated than simply “CKD causes iron deficiency, which causes restless legs.” Brain iron availability, anemia, uremic changes, medications, sleep problems, … Read more
Muscle cramps can occur in people with kidney disease, but they are not caused by one single problem. Changes in electrolytes, fluid balance, nerve and muscle function, medications, reduced blood flow, and dialysis can all contribute. Having CKD and experiencing cramps does not automatically mean your kidney disease is getting worse. The useful question is … Read more
The short answer: Fatigue and “brain fog” are common in chronic kidney disease (CKD), but they do not automatically mean that uremic toxins are building up. Several different problems can produce the same symptoms. Anemia is one important cause. Reduced kidney function can decrease production of erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that tells the bone marrow … Read more
The short answer: Advanced kidney dysfunction can cause uremic fetor, an unusual breath odor that may smell ammonia-like, along with a metallic, bitter, or unpleasant taste. This happens partly because the kidneys normally remove urea from the blood. When kidney function becomes severely reduced, more urea can remain in the circulation and enter saliva, where … Read more
The short answer: Swelling in the feet, ankles, or face can occur when the body retains more sodium and water than it can remove. CKD is one possible cause, but edema is not specific to kidney disease. Heart failure, liver disease, venous problems, medications, low blood protein, and other conditions can also cause it. If … Read more
The short answer Chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus (CKD-aP) is persistent or recurrent itching that can occur with CKD, especially in advanced kidney disease and dialysis. It is often called uremic pruritus, but that name can be misleading: the itching is not simply caused by one toxin building up in the blood. Several factors may contribute, … Read more