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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) refers to the slow loss of kidney function over time.Kidneys play a vital role in removing wastes and fluid from body.When the kidneys are impaired,a host of symptoms will occur,in which leg swelling and increased urination are very common.
Increased urination in CKD
In right condition,the renal tubule can concentrate the primary urine so the daily urine output can keep at a certain level. However,in CKD,the kidneys fail to perform the functions properly.The renal tubule can not concentrate urine normally. As a result, increased urination will occur in CKD.
Increased urination is very likely to cause loss of minerals in urine like potassium and sodium etc. Therefore, it is important for the patients to have mineral supplements based on their medial report.
Leg swelling in CKD
Leg swelling mainly results from proteins in urine.The filters in kidneys can remove wastes and extra fluid from body. Meanwhile,the useful substances will be preserved in body. However, as the kidneys are impaired in CKD, the filters fail to retain useful substances in body, thus resulting in protein in urine.Proteins act as a sponge in blood and can absorb fluid to keep the blood volume.However,when proteins leak into urine, the level of protein in blood will decrease.The fluid in blood vessels will infilter into subcutaneous tissue,thus resulting in swelling. Due to gravity, the swelling often firstly occurs in low body part like feet and legs.That is how leg swelling occurs.
As leg swelling in CKD results from protein in urine,the primary treatment goal is to control protein in urine.ACE inhibitors and ARD drugs are first-line medications for high blood pressure and they are also effective in lowering protein in urine.Also,a low-protein diet is required.
All in all,leg swelling and increased urination are the complications of CKD.You should treat kidney as a whole to control the conditions completely.For more treatment information, you can consult with our online doctor now!
