What should you know about moderate chronic kidney disease?

The kidneys filter waste, balance fluid and salts, and support blood pressure and red blood cell production. With chronic kidney disease, changes persist over time and may be found through blood or urine tests before you feel unwell. Fatigue or excessive thirst can have many causes and should be interpreted alongside your test results.

Hypertension and type 2 diabetes are common conditions clinicians review because controlling them can help protect remaining kidney function. Anaemia, gout and restless legs syndrome may also be considered when symptoms or test findings suggest them.

Keep scheduled blood-pressure, blood and urine checks, take medicines as directed, and tell every clinician that you have kidney disease. Do not start painkillers, supplements or herbal products without checking whether they are suitable. Follow the fluid, salt and dietary advice tailored to your results rather than adopting a generic restriction.

Manage diabetes and blood pressure if they apply to you, avoid smoking, and keep a current list of medicines. Ask how illness, vomiting or reduced intake should affect your usual treatment.

Arrange prompt medical advice for markedly reduced urine, new swelling, persistent vomiting, severe weakness, confusion, chest pain or breathlessness. Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, collapse or sudden confusion. An acute illness can place extra strain on already reduced kidney function.

Ask what your blood and urine results show, how often they need repeating, which medicines protect kidney function, and which over-the-counter products to avoid. Discuss blood-pressure targets, diabetes care and symptoms that should trigger same-day advice.