Anemia and other contributing factors are common causes of fatigue in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Healthy lifestyle habits and taking steps to meet your nutritional needs can help.
If you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), you might tire easily while doing housework or feel sleepy during the day. This overly tired feeling may begin to affect your work, personal life, and general well-being.
Fatigue is a common symptom of CKD. Causes include chronic inflammation and other health conditions, such as anemia. Fatigue can also be a side effect of certain medications to treat CKD.
Following your treatment plans for CKD and any other health conditions you may have is important for managing fatigue and related symptoms.
Why does kidney disease lead to fatigue?
People with CKD often report feeling very tired or having a lack of energy that lasts a long time. This feeling often doesn’t go away, even after getting enough rest or a full night’s sleep.
According to earlier studies cited in a 2021 research review, 20% to 91%Trusted Source of people with CKD experience fatigue, and among them, 5% to 24% experience severe fatigue. The chances of experiencing fatigue increase as CKD progresses to advanced or severe stages.
Your kidneys produce the hormone erythropoietin, which tells your body to make more red blood cells. When you have CKD, you may have low levels of erythropoietin, which can cause low levels of red blood cells, leading to anemia.
Anemia is one of the potential causes of fatigue in CKD.
Other factors may also contribute to fatigue in CKD, including:
- changes in circulation, metabolism, and blood chemistry
- loss of muscle mass and strength
- chronic inflammation
- nutrient deficiencies
- treatment side effects
