What should you know about early chronic kidney disease?

The kidneys filter waste, balance fluid and salts, and help regulate blood pressure. Early chronic kidney disease may be found through blood and urine tests before a person feels different. When symptoms occur, they can be non-specific, such as fatigue, excessive thirst or changes in urination. A symptom does not by itself prove kidney disease; clinicians interpret results over time.

Hypertension and type 2 diabetes can contribute to kidney damage, while reduced kidney function can affect other systems. Later problems may include anaemia, gout or restless legs syndrome, but these conditions have many causes.

Attend follow-up testing and ask what your kidney blood test, urine test and blood pressure results mean. Take prescribed medicines as directed and tell clinicians about every over-the-counter painkiller, supplement and herbal product. Keep diabetes and blood pressure within the range your care team sets. Avoid smoking, stay active as able, and use salt thoughtfully.

Do not make major fluid or diet changes without personalised advice, especially if you have heart or kidney problems. Keep a list of medicines and bring it to appointments.

Seek urgent care for severe breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, fainting, very little urine, or rapidly increasing swelling. Contact your clinician promptly for persistent vomiting, marked weakness, a new change in urination or worsening swelling. These symptoms can signal kidney or another medical problem that needs assessment.

What do my kidney and urine results show? What may have caused the change? How often should I repeat testing? Which pain medicines, supplements, salt and fluid choices are safe for me? What symptoms should trigger urgent help?