Understanding Stage 3 Kidney Disease: Causes and Warning Signs

While early stages of kidney disease often show no noticeable symptoms, signs can emerge by the third stage. Some individuals may remain asymptomatic even at this point, which can be risky because kidney damage may go unnoticed.

Key symptoms to watch for: At stage 3, symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, increased urinary frequency, foamy urine, and swelling in the ankles or puffiness around the eyes caused by fluid retention.

Many patients report feeling easily fatigued and experiencing persistent shortness of breath. Loss of appetite, tasteless food, dry and itchy skin, muscle cramps (especially in the legs), poor sleep, and unexplained weight loss are common symptoms.

Children may experience growth delays due to the progression of their kidney condition.

Understanding the causes of these symptoms: Various factors contribute to these signs, and recognizing them aids in management and treatment. Common reasons include:

Feeling cold despite warm surroundings:

This is often linked to low hemoglobin levels caused by kidney issues.

Difficulty breathing with minimal exertion:

Kids and adults alike may experience breathing issues due to fluid build-up in the lungs or anemia reducing oxygen supply.

Dizziness and weakness:

When kidney failure causes anemia, the brain receives less oxygen, leading to weakness, dizziness, memory loss, and concentration problems.

Persistent itching:

Waste accumulation due to impaired kidney function causes skin irritation and itching.

Swelling in limbs and face:

Inability to eliminate excess fluids results in swelling, often making shoe fitting difficult and causing noticeable puffiness.