Overview

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), also known as Chronic Kidney Failure, occurs when diseases or conditions impairs the kidney’s ability to function, causing damage and the loss of kidney function over time. Your kidneys are vital bodily organs that filter and help remove waste from your body. If advanced, CKD can cause waste to accumulate in your blood to unhealthy levels and can cause additional health problems to occur.

Kidney disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the CDC, 37 million Americans, or more than one in seven adults, are estimated to have CKD. Early detection is critical to the treatment of CKD. As we will discuss, chronic kidney disease symptoms may be mild or nonexistent. However, with early detection, many patients with CKD will not go on to experience kidney failure. Treatment alone may not stop kidney damage from advancing, and dialysis or kidney transplant may still be needed if the kidneys stop functioning.

40% of people with severely reduced kidney function are not aware that they have it. If you have preexisting conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, or a family history of CKD, talk to your doctor about the lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent CKD, and get tested annually.

Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease

Pre-existing conditions listed above, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, are responsible for two-thirds of chronic kidney disease cases. While CKD can occur at any age, the elderly population is more at risk.

Additional causes included:

• Glomerulonephritis – this refers to a group of diseases that causes the kidneys to become inflamed and the filtering function damaged. It is the third most common type of kidney disease.
• Autoimmune Diseases – the body’s immune system is compromised, again causing inflammation of the kidneys and impairing their ability to filter properly.
• Kidney Stones or Obstructions
• Enlarged Prostate Gland in Men
• Repeated Urinary Tract Infections
• Other Inherited Kidney Diseases

Chronic Kidney Disease Symptoms

Chronic kidney disease symptoms may be difficult to attribute to the disease, as they can look and feel similar to many other types of conditions. This is why screening is important to catching CKD early, even if you are not experiencing any symptoms at all. If left untreated, CKD can quickly progress to kidney failure as well as put the patient at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

Oftentimes, early stages of CKD do not present symptoms. Many CKD sufferers may not even be aware that they have it until the disease is advanced.

However, there are warning signs to be aware of and look out for, which include:

• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue and/or lack of energy
• Swelling of feet and ankles
• Shortness of breath
• Increased urination, more noticeably at night
• Muscle cramps
• Difficulty sleeping
• Decreased concentration
• Dry, itchy skin

Prevention and Treatment

As mentioned earlier, your doctor may prescribe lifestyle changes to prevent your likelihood of developing CKD due to a preexisting condition. Changes such as maintaining a healthy weight and quitting smoking can greatly reduce your risk of developing chronic kidney disease symptoms or the disease itself. In addition, make sure you are following the recommended dosage of over-the-counter pain medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen, as overuse of these products may cause kidney damage over time.

If CKD is suspected, your doctor will conduct blood, urine, and imaging tests, as well as regularly monitor your blood pressure. If necessary, a tissue sample from the kidney may be required for testing.

Depending on the cause, some CKD may be treatable. However, it is important to know that currently, CKD has no cure. Your doctor will work with you where possible to slow the progression of CKD. Oftentimes, medication can assist with this, such as those to treat high blood pressure, relieve swelling, treat anemia, lower cholesterol, and protect your bones. An alternative diet may also be prescribed to help minimize the amount of waste that kidneys will later need to filter. In later stages of CKD, dialysis to remove waste or kidney transplant may be required.

If you feel that you are experiencing any chronic kidney disease symptoms or are at high risk due to a medical condition, speak to your doctor today.