Metabolic acidosis may result from decreased capacity to generate enough ammonia from the cells of the proximal tubule. Acidemia affects the function of enzymes and increases excitability of cardiac and neuronal membranes by the promotion of hyperkalemia. Anemia is common and is especially prevalent in those requiring haemodialysis. It is multifactorial in cause, but includes increased inflammation, reduction in erythropoietin, and hyperuricemia leading to bone-marrow suppression. Hypoproliferative anemia occurs due to inadequate production of erythropoietin by the kidneys. In later stages, cachexia may develop, leading to unintentional weight loss, muscle wasting, weakness, and anorexia. Sexual dysfunction is very common in both men and women with CKD. A majority of men have a reduced sex drive, difficulty obtaining an erection, and reaching orgasm, and the problems get worse with age. Most women have trouble with sexual arousal, and painful menstruation and problems with performing and enjoying sex are common. Causes
The three most common causes of CKD in order of frequency as of 2015 are diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and glomerulonephritis. About one of five adults with hypertension and one of three adults with diabetes have CKD. If the cause is unknown, it is called idiopathic. By anatomical location
Vascular disease includes large-vessel disease such as bilateral kidney artery stenosis and small-vessel disease such as ischemic nephropathy, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, and vasculitis.
The cause is thought to be predominantly related to abnormal ammonia metabolism. Asterixis is seen most often in drowsy or stuporous patients with metabolic encephalopathies, especially in decompensated cirrhosis or acute liver failure. It is also seen in some patients with kidney failure and azotemia. It can also be a feature of Wilsons disease. Asterixis is also seen in respiratory failure due to carbon dioxide toxicity (hypercapnia). Some drugs are known to cause asterixis, particularly phenytoin (when it is known as phenytoin flap). Other drugs implicated include benzodiazepines, salicylates, barbiturates, valproate, gabapentin, lithium, ceftazidime, and metoclopramide. History
R.D. Adams and J.M. Foley first described asterixis in 1949 in patients with severe liver failure and encephalopathy. Initially Foley and Adams referred to asterixis simply as "tremor" but realized that they needed a more appropriate term. On a literature search they found a poorly described phenomenon in similar patients mentioned by German physicians called “jactitations” but the reference was vague. Foley consulted Father Cadigan, a Jesuit classics scholar, who suggested “anisosterixis” (an "negative"–iso "equal"–sterixis "firmness") but Foley shortened this to asterixis due to the former being too difficult to pronounce. They introduced the term in 1953 by way of a medical abstract and later Adams solidified its medical use as he was an author and editor of the widely influential Harrisons Principles of Internal Medicine. References
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