Illnesses affecting the kidneys include common chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, which damage filtering units (glomeruli) over time, leading to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Other causes include genetic disorders like polycystic kidney disease (PKD), autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus nephritis), infections, obstructions (stones, enlarged prostate), and certain medications.
Generally, earlier stages are known as 1 to 3. And as kidney disease progresses, you may notice the following symptoms. Nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, swelling via feet and ankles, dry, itchy skin, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, urinating either too much or too little.
Other Kidney Topics
Kidney damage can happen when using Ozempic, especially if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, which can cause dehydration. Try to drink water to avoid dehydration. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage. Severe Stomach Problems.
What causes low kidney function?
The most common causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults are diabetes and high blood pressure.
The three key early warning signs of kidney disease are changes in urination (more/less frequent, foamy, blood), persistent fatigue/low energy, and swelling (edema) in your hands, feet, or face, often from fluid buildup. Other signs include itchy skin, poor appetite, and high blood pressure, though symptoms can be subtle until later stages.
The top 10 drugs commonly linked to kidney damage
"Ozempic hands" is a slang term for the visible changes in hands due to rapid fat loss from GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, making them look thinner, bonier, and more aged with prominent veins, tendons, and thinner skin, as subcutaneous fat diminishes and skin doesn't fully contract quickly. It's not a formal diagnosis but a common cosmetic effect of significant weight loss, similar to "Ozempic face".
Kidney pain is usually deeper, higher up under the ribs on the sides (flank), constant, and may come with fever, chills, nausea, or urinary changes; while general back pain is often lower, more superficial (muscles/spine), changes with movement, and may improve with rest, but watch for radiating pain down the leg (sciatica) or numbness.
Lupus nephritis occurs when lupus autoantibodies affect parts of the kidneys that filter out waste. This causes swelling and irritation of the kidneys, called inflammation. It might lead to blood in the urine, protein in the urine, high blood pressure, kidneys that don't work well or even kidney failure.
Conversely, disorders of the GI tract such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and interventions such as gastric bypass surgery may lead to renal injury. Alterations in acid–base and volume status, electrolyte imbalance, and kidney stone formation may lead to or contribute to subsequent CKD in such patients.
What caused my kidney disease? What percentage of kidney function do I have now? What are my lab test results, including my glomerular filtration rate (GFR)? What treatment is available for my symptoms?
Surprising Things That Can Hurt Your Kidneys
Itching often happens on both sides of the body at the same time (for example, both arms or both legs). Itching is most common and severe in people with kidney failure,but those in the earlier stages of CKD may also notice milder itching.
1. Less Energy or Trouble Concentrating. A severe decrease in kidney function can lead to a buildup of toxins and impurities in the blood. This can cause people to feel tired or weak and can make it hard to concentrate.
Ozempic feet refers to foot pain and discomfort that can develop when taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or Wegovy. The rapid weight loss caused by these medications can reduce the natural fat pads in your feet, leading to increased pressure on bones and joints during walking.
Do not use Ozempic® if: you or any of your family have ever had MTC or if you have MEN 2. you are allergic to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Ozempic®. See symptoms of serious allergic reaction in “What are the possible side effects of Ozempic®?”.
Ozempic is the more powerful of the two treatments, Ponder says. Research shows that people with type 2 diabetes and obesity lost an average of 5% to 6% of their body weight after taking Ozempic for a year. That's compared to a 2% loss for those using metformin after two years.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top culprits damaging kidneys most, as they harm the delicate filtering blood vessels, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and failure; other major factors include smoking, obesity, dehydration, poor diet (high sugar/salt/red meat), certain medications (NSAIDs), lack of sleep, and genetic conditions. These factors create a cycle where damaged kidneys worsen blood pressure, further damaging them.
Metformin is the most common medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps to lower your blood sugar to prevent or slow damage to your kidneys.
Nephrotoxicity occurs with frequent repeat dosing, which leads to increased accumulation of the antibiotic in the renal parenchyma. Of the aminoglycosides, the most nephrotoxic is neomycin, followed by gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin. Streptomycin appears to be the least nephrotoxic.
Symptoms of kidney disease
Symptoms can include:
When kidneys cannot remove waste from your body, a rash can develop. One rash that occurs in people who have end-stage kidney disease causes small, dome-shaped, and extremely itchy bumps. As these bumps clear, new ones can form. Sometimes, the small bumps join together to form rough, raised patches.