Kidney disease, or chronic kidney disease, is any disease or disorder that affects the function of the kidneys. Kidney disease is the loss of kidney function over time. Usually this loss is permanent. Causes of kidney disease include:
- Atherosclerosis
- Enlarged prostate
- High blood pressure
- Long-term analgesic use (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
- Lupus
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
Kidney disease can sometimes result in kidney failure, which is when the kidneys lose the ability to remove waste and excess water from the body. Symptoms of kidney disease include:
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Nausea/vomiting
- Itching
- High blood pressure
- Chest pain, resulting from inflammation around the heart
Other names for kidney disease are: chronic kidney disease and renal disease.