Chronic kidney disease occurs when damaged kidneys can’t effectively filter waste products. This leads to toxin build-up in your body, resulting in various health issues. Its symptoms include water retention, high blood pressure, muscle cramps, and anemia. You may also notice these side effects [1-5]:
Nail disorders
Rashes or itching
Bad breath
Fatigue
Hair loss
Weight changes
Gout
Diarrhea
If you or someone you know has kidney disease, monitoring and managing these symptoms can significantly improve your quality of life.
Common Side Effects
Rash and itching
Kidney disease itching and rashes are side effects caused by toxins in the blood that the kidneys can’t flush out [2]. In some cases, the autoimmune disease lupus, which can cause skin rashes, may lead to kidney disease. The key difference between a lupus rash vs. rosacea inflammation is that lupus typically causes a butterfly-shaped rash on the face [6].
To manage kidney disease itching and rashes, maintain good skin hygiene, stay hydrated, and use prescribed medications or topical treatments [2].
Kidney disease can cause itching and rashes from toxin buildup or lupus, and managing them involves hydration, skin care, and prescribed treatments.
Kidney disease nails
Kidney disease can affect your nails as nitrogen waste products build up in your body. You may develop half-and-half nails, also known as Lindsay’s nails, where the lower part is reddish-brown and the upper part is white. You may also notice white bands running across one or more nails, which is called Muehrcke’s nails [2].
If you notice these kidney disease-related nail changes, consult your doctor immediately [2].
Bad breath
Kidney disease can cause bad breath as nitrogen waste products accumulate in the blood. It can leave a metallic taste and an ammonia-like odor in your mouth. Poor kidney function also affects your saliva production and oral health, which can lead to kidney disease-associated bad breath [3].
Maintaining oral hygiene, staying hydrated, managing your diet, and following prescribed treatments for underlying kidney issues can help you manage bad breath [3].
Kidney disease can cause bad breath, but staying hydrated, eating well, and keeping your mouth clean can help.
Weight changes
Kidney disease and weight gain or loss go hand in hand. Damaged kidneys struggle to excrete water, leading to swelling as it accumulates in tissues. This water retention causes metabolic changes and unexpected weight gain. However, loss of appetite due to changes in your taste may cause weight loss [5].
You can manage your weight through exercise and a kidney-friendly diet with less salt and fluid intake [7].
Weight can shift with kidney disease—fluid buildup may cause swelling and weight gain, while appetite loss can lead to weight loss; managing both involves exercise and a kidney-friendly, low-salt diet.
Kidney disease-related hair loss
How can kidney disease cause hair loss? While kidney disease doesn’t directly affect your hair, it can trigger nutritional deficiencies. This along with persistent kidney disease itching can cause hair thinning or loss [8].
You can prevent kidney disease-related hair loss by treating nutritional deficiencies with a balanced diet and supplements. Also, consult your doctor for personalized treatments [8].
Hair loss from kidney disease often comes from nutrient deficiencies and constant itching, but a balanced diet, supplements, and medical guidance can help prevent it.
Fatigue
Impaired kidney function reduces the production of red blood cells, resulting in low hemoglobin levels and anemia. This condition prevents oxygen from reaching your tissues, causing fatigue and weakness [9].
Treating the underlying anemia will help you feel better. Your doctor may prescribe iron and vitamin supplements and red blood cell-stimulating medicines [9].
Anemia from kidney disease happens when fewer red blood cells are made, leading to fatigue—but treatment with supplements and medications can help boost your energy.
Gout
Kidney disease and gout can be interconnected. When kidneys can’t remove nitrogen waste products from your body, blood uric acid levels rise. This can lead to uric acid crystal deposits in joints, causing painful gout [4].
You can manage gout by staying hydrated and following a low-protein diet to prevent uric acid formation. You may need to regularly monitor your kidney function and take prescribed medicines to lower uric acid levels [4].
Diarrhea
Toxins and electrolyte imbalances in the body due to kidney disease may affect the digestive system and cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including kidney disease-induced diarrhea [10].
You can control diarrhea by drinking enough water, following a fiber- and probiotic-rich diet, and taking medications prescribed by your doctor [10].
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Managing Other Common Symptoms
Diet and exercise
Here are some guidelines for managing kidney disease symptoms:
Limit sodium: Reduce your salt intake as it helps control blood pressure and reduce water retention in your body [3, 7].
Manage protein intake: Excessive protein can strain weakened kidneys as they filter the waste produced during protein digestion. So, eat the right amount of protein to prevent further kidney damage. Consult a dietitian to understand your ideal protein intake [3, 7].
Reduce potassium and phosphorus: High levels of potassium and phosphorus can cause rare kidney diseases. Avoid foods high in potassium like bananas to prevent hyperkalemia, which causes nausea, numbness, and weakness. Also, limit phosphorus-rich foods like dairy and nuts, as excess phosphorus can weaken bones [3, 7].
Exercise regularly: Exercise, like walking, swimming, or yoga, will help you maintain overall health, manage weight, and improve blood pressure [3, 11].
Regular monitoring of protein in urine
Doctors recommend monitoring protein levels in urine if you have kidney issues. High levels of protein in urine or proteinuria can indicate worsening kidney function. Regular monitoring through urine tests can help you identifyincreased protein levels for prompt treatment with better outcomes [12].
Monitor Your Kidney Function With Diagnox
Understanding the side effects of kidney disease empowers you to manage your symptoms effectively for a better quality of life. Diet, exercise, and regular health monitoring can make a significant difference [3].
At home, you can use Diagnox Urine Protein Test Strips to check for proteinuria, which is an early sign of kidney disease. This can help you monitor your kidney function and detect kidney disease before it worsens. If you're unsure about your symptoms, consult your physician.
[3] National Kidney Foundation Staff, “Chronic Kidney Disease,” National Kidney Foundation [Accessed July 3, 2024].
[4] L. K. Stamp, H. Farquhar, H. L. Pisaniello, A. B. Vargas-Santos, M. Fisher, D. B. Mount, H. K. Choi, R. Terkeltaub, C. L. Hill, and A. L. Gaffo, “Management of gout in chronic kidney disease: a G-CAN Consensus Statement on the research priorities.” Nat. Rev. Rheumatol., vol. 17, pp. 633-641, July 2021.
[5] R. Singer and H. C. Huang, “Weight change in chronic kidney disease: Association with mortality and kidney function.” Obes. Sci. Pract., vol. 10, pp. e723, Nov 2023.
[7] American Kidney Fund Staff, “Kidney-friendly eating plan,” American Kidney Fund [Accessed July 3, 2024].
[8] D. Arriaga Escamilla, A. Lakhani, S. Antony, K. N. Salazar Villegas, M. Gupta, P. Ramnath, M. I. Murillo Pineda, A. Bedor, D. Banegas, and E. Calderon Martinez, “Dermatological Manifestations in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Review.” Cureus, vol. 16, pp. e52253, Jan 2024.
[9] NIDDK Staff, “Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease,” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. [Accessed July 3, 2024].
[10] A. Biruete, A. Shin, B. M. Kistler, and S. M. Moe, “Feeling gutted in chronic kidney disease (CKD): Gastrointestinal disorders and therapies to improve gastrointestinal health in individuals CKD, including those undergoing dialysis.” Semin. Dial. Oct 2021.
[11] National Kidney Foundation Staff, “Staying Fit With Kidney Disease,” National Kidney Foundation [Accessed July 3, 2024].
[12] Cleveland Clinic Staff, “Proteinuria,” Cleveland Clinic, Available Online [Accessed July 3, 2024].
About the Author
Roma Kunde
Roma Kunde is a freelance content writer with a biotechnology and medical background. She has completed her B. Tech in Biotechnology and has a certificate in Clinical Research. She has 6 years of writing and editing experience in fields such as biomedical research, food/lifestyle, website content, marketing, and NGO services. She has written blog articles for websites related to construction chemicals, current affairs, marketing, medicine, and cosmetics.
About the Reviewer
This blog was
Technically reviewed by:
Charisse Cartin
Charisse Cartin is a talented and dedicated editor who has contributed significantly to this blog.
The blog was also reviewed by the Diagnox content team. Diagnox Staff consists of a multidisciplinary team of scientists, content writers, and healthcare professionals with an expertise to create and review high-quality, informative, accurate, and easy-to-understand content for both professionals and everyday readers. Our staff follows strict guidelines to ensure the credibility and authenticity of the information, reviewing them independently and verifying them by various scientific and technical sources to ensure accuracy. Our review team believes in delivering knowledge free from bias to improve public health and well-being.
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