Feeling constantly tired might indicate that something in your routine is out of balance, such as your habits, stress levels, or overall well-being. This common complaint can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition, like chronic kidney disease. Since persistent fatigue and kidney health are closely linked, early detection and management are important. Addressing the root cause not only prevents serious complications but also enhances your quality of life.
What is chronic kidney disease?
Chronic kidney disease is a long-term condition in which the kidneys gradually lose their functionality. The kidney filters eliminate waste products and any unnecessary fluid from the blood that is then excreted in urine. As for the functioning of the kidneys, waste products and fluids begin to accumulate when the functioning of the kidney’s declines, which causes a variety of symptoms and sensations within the body, including tiredness.
Other Symptoms in CKD
Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, or handsModifications in urination patterns, like increased frequency or foamy urineShortness of breathPersistent itchingNausea and vomitingHypertensionWhy does CKD cause fatigue?
Anaemia: Kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin, or EPO, which signals the body to make red blood cells. As kidney function goes down, its ability to produce this hormone wanes, along with anaemia—a condition that manifests as a lack of red blood cells to move oxygen through the body. One can become tired and weak with decreased oxygen delivery to tissues.
Toxin Buildup: Renal insufficiency may allow metabolic by-products and toxins to accumulate in the blood since the kidneys do not take them out. This affects nearly every body system and leaves a person extremely fatigued and ill.
Electrolyte Imbalance: Kidneys balance the electrolytes of the body, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. An imbalance in these electrolyte levels could also add to the causes of fatigue.
Sleep Disturbances: Most CKD patients also present with sleep disorders like restless legs and obstructive apnoea, leading to more fatigue.
Diagnosis and management of CKD
The diagnosis of CKD can often be made from blood and urine tests. These, together with imaging tests that allow doctors to see the kidney structures, can be used to demonstrate how well the kidneys are working. The earlier a diagnosis is for CKD, the better the condition can be managed, thus preventing progression to an advanced stage of the disease. Its management may involve:
Dietary interventions: low salts, potassium, and proteins in the diet will decrease the workload of the kidneys.
Medications: To maintain BP, diuretics are given to improve anaemia.
Lifestyle changes: stop smoking, increase the amount of exercise, and achieve a healthy weight to promote health and slow the progression of CKD.
If you have continual fatigue, it is best not to ignore it and consult your doctor without delay. If left untreated, CKD can progress to the point where kidney transplantation becomes necessary. Kidney transplantation involves surgically placing a healthy kidney from a donor into a patient whose kidneys have failed, offering a chance to live dialysis-free and significantly improving quality of life.
(Author: Dr. Nitin Kumar, Consultant Nephrology, Manipal Hospital, Patiala)
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