What might a patient with chronic kidney disease experience as their condition progresses?

As chronic kidney disease (CKD) progresses, patients often experience a variety of symptoms due to the kidneys' declining ability to filter waste products from the blood effectively. Fatigue is a common manifestation because the accumulation of toxins and waste can lead to a state of overall malaise. Additionally, the impairment of kidney function affects the production of erythropoietin, a hormone responsible for red blood cell production. As red blood cell levels drop, the patient may become anemic, which contributes to feelings of tiredness and weakness. This combination of metabolic imbalances and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood results in significant fatigue, making it a recognizable symptom associated with the progression of chronic kidney disease.