What Are The Stages Of Chronic Kidney Disease?

Stage Four

The fourth stage of kidney disease is very serious, and it is often the patient's last chance to preserve some kidney function before reaching the end stage of the disease. Patients at stage four have moderate to severe kidney damage, and their estimated glomerular filtration rates are between fifteen to thirty. Patients will experience noticeable symptoms, such as back pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, muscle cramps, and sleeping difficulties. They may also have considerable fatigue, and their skin could feel constantly itchy. Swelling of the feet and ankles and urinary changes are typically present as well. Patients in this stage have noticeable health complications from the disease, including malnutrition, high blood pressure, anemia, and bone damage. Regular meetings with a nephrologist are required at this stage, and patients will also need to make a plan for either having dialysis or having a kidney transplant. The nephrologist can provide information about the most appropriate options for additional treatment at this stage, and patients will often need to have their kidney function monitored more frequently.

Read about end-stage chronic kidney disease next.