Living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can feel overwhelming, especially when navigating its treatments and their side effects. But you’re not alone. This article is for our community, designed to break down what CKD is, why treatment side effects matter, especially for underrepresented communities, and how we can work together to manage them for a healthier future.
What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
Imagine your kidneys as incredible filters for your body. They clean your blood, remove waste and extra water, and help keep your bones strong, your blood pressure healthy, and red blood cells produced. CKD means your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter your blood as well as they should. This damage can get worse over time, leading to serious health problems.1
Why Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Disproportionately Affects Underrepresented Communities
It’s important to know that CKD doesn’t affect everyone equally. Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American communities face a higher risk of developing CKD and often experience worse outcomes.2 For example, Black individuals are nearly four times more likely, and Hispanic individuals 1.3 times more likely, to experience kidney failure compared to White Americans.3 While genetics can play a role, like the APOL1 gene variants increasing CKD risk in Black Americans, much of this disparity is rooted in what we call “social determinants of health”.2,4
These are the conditions in the places where we live, learn, work, and play that affect our health. They include:
- Access to healthy foods: Many of our neighborhoods are “food deserts” with limited access to fresh, healthy produce, leading to diets high in processed foods that contribute to conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, major drivers of CKD.2,5
- Healthcare access and quality: Lack of health insurance, language barriers, and even unconscious bias from healthcare providers can lead to delayed diagnoses and less effective treatment for CKD in our communities.4,6
- Socioeconomic status and education: Lower income and educational attainment can limit understanding of CKD, access to preventive care, and the ability to manage complex treatment plans.2,4
- Environmental factors: Exposure to pollution and inadequate green spaces can also contribute to overall health disparities that impact kidney health.2,4
These factors can make managing CKD and its treatment side effects even more challenging for our communities.
Understanding Treatment Side Effects: What to Expect
When you start treatment for chronic kidney disease (CKD), whether it’s managing blood pressure and diabetes, taking medications, or eventually dialysis or transplant, it’s common to experience side effects. These are your body’s way of adjusting to the changes. Some common side effects include:
- Fatigue and weakness: Kidney disease itself and many treatments can leave you feeling tired and lacking energy.7
- Swelling (edema): Fluid buildup can cause swelling in your legs, ankles, and hands.7
- Nausea and appetite changes: Some medications or changes in diet can affect your stomach and how much you feel like eating.7
- Skin itching: As waste products build up, they can irritate your skin.7
- Muscle cramps: Imbalances in electrolytes can lead to painful muscle cramps.7
- Bone pain: CKD can affect bone health, leading to pain and weakness.7
It’s crucial to remember that these are side effects, not signs of failure. Open communication with your healthcare team is key to managing them effectively.
Community-Friendly Strategies for Managing Side Effects
Managing CKD treatment side effects is a team effort involving you, your family, your healthcare providers, and your community.
- Talk Openly with Your Healthcare Team: Don’t hesitate to share how you’re feeling.
- Be specific: Instead of just saying “I feel tired,” try to describe when you feel tired, what makes it better or worse, and how it impacts your daily life.8
- Ask questions: If you don’t understand something, ask for clarification. Bring a trusted family member or friend to appointments to help you remember information and ask questions.8
- Discuss medications: Understand what each medication is for, how to take it, and potential side effects. Never stop taking medication without talking to your doctor first.8
- Be specific: Instead of just saying “I feel tired,” try to describe when you feel tired, what makes it better or worse, and how it impacts your daily life.8
2. Nutrition Matters: A kidney-friendly diet is a powerful tool.
- Work with a dietitian: A dietitian specializing in kidney health can help you create an eating plan that manages your blood pressure, blood sugar, and nutrient levels while also considering your cultural food preferences.9
- Reduce sodium: Limiting salt can help with swelling and blood pressure. Look for low-sodium options and flavor your food with herbs and spices instead.9
- Watch phosphorus and potassium: Your dietitian will guide you on foods that might be high in these minerals, which can build up in CKD.9
- Address food insecurity: If getting healthy food is a challenge, speak to your care team or community resources about food assistance programs.10
- Work with a dietitian: A dietitian specializing in kidney health can help you create an eating plan that manages your blood pressure, blood sugar, and nutrient levels while also considering your cultural food preferences.9
3. Stay Active (Safely): Even light exercise can boost your energy and improve overall well-being.
- Start small: A short walk each day can make a big difference.11
- Listen to your body: Don’t push yourself too hard.
- Talk to your doctor: Before starting any new exercise routine, especially if you have CKD.11
- Start small: A short walk each day can make a big difference.11
4. Manage Stress and Mental Well-being: Living with a chronic illness can be stressful.
- Seek support: Connect with family, friends, or support groups. Sharing your experiences can be incredibly helpful.12
- Practice mindfulness: Deep breathing, meditation, or spending time in nature can help reduce stress.12
- Consider professional help: If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, a therapist or counselor can provide valuable tools and support.12
- Seek support: Connect with family, friends, or support groups. Sharing your experiences can be incredibly helpful.12
5. Community Connection and Advocacy
- Share knowledge: The more we understand about CKD and its impact, the better we can support each other.
- Advocate for change: Support initiatives that address health disparities in our communities, such as improving access to healthy foods and quality healthcare.4
Don’t navigate CKD alone. If you haven’t already, join the NOWINCLUDED community to take meaningful steps towards better kidney health and overall well-being.
References
- Cleveland Clinic. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Symptoms & Treatment. Accessed June 18, 2025. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15096-chronic-kidney-disease
- Nicholas, S. B., Kalantar-Zadeh, K., & Norris, K. C. (2015). Socioeconomic disparities in chronic kidney disease. Advances in chronic kidney disease, 22(1), 6–15. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ackd.2014.07.002
- American Kidney Fund. Understanding Kidney Disease Risks: Race and Ethnicity. Accessed June 18, 2025. Available at: https://www.kidneyfund.org/all-about-kidneys/risk-factors/understanding-kidney-disease-risks-race-and-ethnicity
- National Kidney Foundation. Health Disparities. Accessed June 18, 2025. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/take-action/advocate/legislative-priorities/health-disparities
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food Deserts. Accessed June 18, 2025. Available at: https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/go-to-the-atlas/
- Artiga S, Foutz L, Garfield R. The Role of Race and Ethnicity in Health Coverage and Access. KFF. Published November 7, 2017. Accessed June 18, 2025. Available at: https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/health-coverage-by-race-and-ethnicity/
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms of Kidney Disease. Accessed June 18, 2025. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/causes
- Kidney.org. Working with Your Healthcare Team. National Kidney Foundation. Accessed June 18, 2025. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/health-care-team
- National Kidney Foundation. (2024, March 18). Nutrition and kidney disease stages 1-5 (not on dialysis). https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/nutrition-and-kidney-disease-stages-1-5-not-dialysis
- Puchulu, M. B., Garcia-Fernandez, N., & Landry, M. J. (2023). Food Insecurity and Chronic Kidney Disease: Considerations for Practitioners. Journal of renal nutrition : the official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation, 33(5), 691–697. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jrn.2023.06.001
- National Kidney Foundation. (n.d.). Staying fit with kidney disease. Retrieved June 18, 2025, from https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/staying-fit-kidney-disease
- Cogley, C., Carswell, C., Bramham, K., & Chilcot, J. (2022). Chronic Kidney Disease and Severe Mental Illness: Addressing Disparities in Access to Health Care and Health Outcomes. Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN, 17(9), 1413–1417. https://doi.org/10.2215/CJN.15691221
