Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease means the kidneys are not working as well as they should over a long period of time.
When to get help quickly: Prompt review is important if swelling is increasing, urine output drops, breathlessness develops, blood pressure is very high, or the person becomes very weak or confused.
Common symptoms
Early stages may cause no symptoms. Later symptoms can include tiredness, swollen feet or face, poor appetite, nausea, itching, shortness of breath, or passing urine more often at night.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps show kidney size, scarring, cysts, blockage, or another structural cause that may be contributing to reduced kidney function.
What radiology does
Ultrasound is often the first imaging test because it can show whether the kidneys are small, scarred, swollen, obstructed, or affected by cysts or other abnormalities.
What usually happens next
Management usually includes treatment of the cause, blood pressure control, diabetes care where relevant, diet advice, and follow-up with a kidney specialist when needed.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.
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