Last Reviewed September 2017 Page 1
Prevent, Detect, Support.
Fact sheet Common Kidney Disease Symptoms and Management Options
Kidney disease symptoms can affect Managing your symptoms well will many areas of your health and well- improve your quality of life. Treatments being. These symptoms may be are available for most symptoms, so caused either by the kidney disease don’t hesitate to talk to your health itself, or by its treatment (for example care team if you have a symptom that side-effects of dialysis or medications). is bothering you. You may be asked These symptoms may be experienced to regularly complete a symptom by people on dialysis as well as those assessment and quality of life survey choosing supportive care. Some so that your health care team can symptoms may be more severe than monitor the frequency and severity others, and may affect different people of your symptoms. in different ways. The following are some of the more common symptoms that may be felt by people with end stage kidney disease. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, speak with your healthcare team who can investigate further and suggest treatment or ways to help you manage your symptoms.
Anaemia Lack of energy Change of taste, bad breath, or dry mouth Anaemia can occur when there are People whose kidneys are not working not enough red blood cells in your can feel tired for a number of reasons As your kidney function declines, blood. Red blood cells help carry and these may vary from person to wastes will build up in your blood. oxygen around the body to be used person. Some reasons, such as low This is called uraemia. Uraemia can as energy. If you have anaemia you red blood cell count or anaemia, lead to a metal-like taste in your can feel tired, cold, dizzy, sad, and can be treated with medication. mouth and bad breath. It may also confused or feel a shortness of breath. Others reasons such as poor sleep, lead to a loss of appetite as foods can Different treatments are available depression, uraemia and heart disease change in taste. Dry mouth is another and can include medication as well require different investigations and common symptom of reduced kidney as diet modification. See the All treatment. There may be simple function. This can be relieved by the About Anaemia fact sheet for more changes you can make to improve your use of saline spray, ice, or chewing information. energy levels. Some people find that gum if appropriate. their energy levels improve once they start treatment for kidney disease.
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Feeling sick in your Itchy skin Restless legs stomach (nausea and Itchy skin (also called pruritus) is a Many people with end stage vomiting) common symptom for people with kidney disease experience aching, kidney disease. Chemical imbalances uncomfortable, jittery, or “restless” Nausea and vomiting can occur as and changes to nerves and dry skin legs. A strong impulse to kick or kidney function decreases. This can be all contribute to this symptom. thrash the legs is common. This may due to the build-up of wastes in your Medications and skin creams may make it difficult for you to sleep at body or a side effect from dialysis or help. You may also want to talk to night. You may start sleeping more medication. This may lead to a loss your pharmacist about what other during the day and less at night. of appetite, and weight loss. A renal products are available and which Some people find massages or warm dietitian or renal nurse will be able products are best to avoid. baths can provide relief. You may like to provide advice on what to eat to to try relaxation techniques or some obtain the nutrients your body needs. exercise. Medications to minimise Eating smaller amounts more often, or restless legs and improve sleep can avoiding certain foods may be helpful. also be prescribed. Medications can also be prescribed to help reduce these symptoms.
Sleeping problems Shortness of breath Swelling
There are many reasons why you Trouble catching your breath can be As your kidney function declines, may have trouble getting to sleep, or due to anaemia, or from extra fluid your kidneys do not remove enough have difficulty sleeping throughout building up in your lungs. Medications excess fluid from your body. This extra the night. You may feel tired, even can be prescribed to try to reduce fluid can build up causing swelling after adequate sleep. Some possible fluid retention and to treat anaemia. in your legs, ankles, feet, face, and/or reasons may be pain, worrying hands. Medications and restricting the thoughts or low mood, restless legs, amount of liquid and salt in your diet difficulty breathing or snoring. If can help to control this. Talk to your you are having problems with sleep renal nurse or dietitian about limiting please discuss this with your health salt and fluid from your diet. care team as there are many tips and treatments that may be helpful. Medication is available however some can be harmful to your kidneys, so ensure you discuss with your health care team.
Constipation and Pain diarrhoea Body pain is common for people with of physiotherapy to include gentle Reduced kidney function can lead to kidney disease. This pain may be in exercises into your daily life can bowel problems such as constipation your muscles, bones or joints such as also help with pain management, and diarrhoea. This can cause arthritis, nerve pain such as pain in especially for muscle and bone pain. stomach discomfort including pain, the feet, calves and hands that may You may be referred to a specialist bloating, gas and nausea. A renal occur with diabetes, or headaches. pain clinic if your pain is difficult to dietitian or renal nurse may be able Sometimes, people experience leg manage. to suggest how to safely increase cramps during or after haemodialysis, the fibre in your diet. Gentle exercise particularly if their blood pressure drops. such as walking can also help relieve Medications can successfully relieve discomfort. Medications can also your pain. However, it is important provide relief. that you discuss pain management with your health care team as some medications are not appropriate for people with kidney disease. The use
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Mood and well-being Changes in memory, Bone disease attention and Mood disorders are commonly Bone disease can be caused by an experienced by people at all stages of concentration imbalance of calcium and phosphate kidney disease. Depression, anxiety, Kidney disease can result in changes in your body. Your bones begin to anger and stress can be a reaction to your memory, your concentration, weaken and become damaged as to your diagnosis, a result of physical and your ability to plan tasks in a step- your kidneys can no longer maintain changes or even a side-effect of your by-step way. This can make it difficult a healthy level. You may experience medications. for you to remember to do things that bone pain, weakened bones, itchy skin and joint pain as a result. Medications There are many different therapies are necessary for you to manage your are available and your healthcare team and medications that can help if you kidney disease, such as taking your or renal dietitian may recommend are feeling any of these emotions. medications as directed and following changes to your diet. See the Talk to your health care team who the advice of your health care team. Calcium and Phosphate Balance with understand these problems you If you, or your family or carers notice Kidney Disease fact sheet for more may be facing and can refer you to a changes in your memory, attention or information. specialist. Your health care team can concentration, talk to your health care also investigate physical causes or team about tips that may help. possible medication side-effects.
Hair Loss THINGS TO REMEMBER Low levels of protein or zinc, thyroid problems, medication side-effects or • Managing your symptoms well will improve your quality changes in dialysers can cause your of life. Treatments are available for most symptoms, so hair to break easily and fall out. Talk to don’t hesitate to talk to your health care team if you have a your healthcare team or renal dietitian symptom that’s bothering you. about making sure you are getting enough nutrients in your diet every • Depending on the cause of your symptom, treatments may day. Treating your hair gently can also vary and can include medication as well as diet and lifestyle prevent further damage. changes. • Some medications are harmful to your kidneys, so it is important to discuss treatments with your healthcare team.
What does that word mean?
Dialysis - A treatment for end stage Malnutrition - Lack of proper Thyroid - The thyroid gland regulates kidney disease that removes waste nutrition, which may be caused by many things including body and products and excess fluid from your not having enough to eat, not eating brain growth and development, body blood by filtering your blood through enough of the right things, or your temperature, energy levels and your a special membrane. There are two body being unable to use the food metabolism. types of dialysis; haemodialysis and that you do eat. peritoneal dialysis. Supportive Care - Supportive care Fluid retention - When your body does (also called non-dialysis supportive not remove enough liquid (water). This care or conservative care) is care can cause swollen or puffy ankles, face given to prevent or manage symptoms or hands. and side effects of end stage kidney disease, which does not involve dialysis. With supportive care, medications, diet and other support measures are used to manage your symptoms of end stage kidney disease to allow you to live as well as possible for as long as possible.
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This is intended as a general For more information introduction to this topic and is not meant to substitute for your ’s or If you have a hearing about kidney or urinary Health Professional’s advice. or speech impairment, All care is taken to ensure that health, please contact the information is relevant to contact the National our free call Kidney Health the reader and applicable to Relay Service on each state in Australia. It should or be noted that Kidney Health 1800 555 677 Information Service Australia recognises that each relayservice.com.au person’s experience is individual (KHIS) on 1800 454 363. and that variations do occur in For all types of services treatment and management due to ask for 1800 454 363 Or visit our website personal circumstances, the health professional and the state one kidney.org.au to access lives in. Should you require further information always consult your or free health literature. health professional.
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