Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) means your kidneys are damaged and losing their ability to keep you healthy by filtering your blood. In the early stages, you may have few signs or symptoms.
What causes CKD?
The two most common causes of CKD are high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Diabetes: Too much glucose (sugar) in your blood damages your kidneys' filtering units.
- High Blood Pressure: High pressure can damage blood vessels in the kidneys so they don’t work as well.
Other causes include heart disease, family history of kidney failure, and older age.
The 5 Stages of CKD
Kidney disease is measured by the Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR), which estimates how well your kidneys are filtering waste.
| Stage | Description | eGFR |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Kidney damage with normal function | 90 or above |
| Stage 2 | Kidney damage with mild loss of function | 60 to 89 |
| Stage 3a/3b | Mild to moderate / Moderate to severe loss | 30 to 59 |
| Stage 4 | Severe loss of kidney function | 15 to 29 |
| Stage 5 | Kidney failure | Less than 15 |
Symptoms to Watch For
Most people with early CKD do not have symptoms. As the disease progresses, you might notice:
- Swelling in feet and ankles
- Fatigue or trouble concentrating
- Changes in urine frequency
- Muscle cramps
- Loss of appetite
Can CKD be cured?
There is currently no cure for CKD, but treatment can help control symptoms, slow progression, and prevent complications. Early detection is key.
Management and Treatment
Treatment focuses on slowing the progression of kidney damage, usually by controlling the underlying cause.
- Blood Pressure Control: Keeping BP below 130/80 mmHg is often the goal.
- Medications: ACE inhibitors or ARBs are often prescribed to protect the kidneys.
- Diet Changes: Limiting salt and protein intake can reduce the workload on kidneys.
If CKD progresses to kidney failure (Stage 5), treatment options include dialysis or kidney transplant.
Don't wait for symptoms to appear.
Discuss Your Risk Factors