The kidney is one of the most critical organs in the body, and it performs many vital functions to keep the whole body in balance. The main job of the kidney is blood cleaning, getting rid of toxins, waste, and excess water, maintaining your blood pressure, making red blood cells, and balancing important minerals in your body.
When your kidneys don’t work properly and are beginning to lose their ability to function, it leads to a situation known as chronic kidney disease. It worsens over time and also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a gradual loss of kidney function. CKD also leads to kidney failure, also known as end-stage kidney disease. It is vital to understand that not every chronic kidney disease will develop kidney failure, but if proper treatment is not given on time, it will become worse.
It can be caused by various conditions and is usually progressive and permanent. It can affect anyone but is often associated with ageing.
Common Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease
People usually don’t experience noticeable symptoms in the early stages of kidney disease until the more advanced stages or complications develop. Common symptoms may include:
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Frequent urination
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Foamy urine
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Dry or itchy skin
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Fatigue
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Headaches
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Muscle cramps
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Numbness
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Unexplained weight loss
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High blood pressure
Note: Waste takes years to build up in your blood and cause symptoms. Signs and symptoms associated with kidney disease are non-specific and can also be caused by other illnesses.
What are the Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease?
Following are the diseases and conditions that cause chronic kidney disease:
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High blood pressure
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Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
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Obesity
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Heart disease
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Acute kidney injury
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Recurrent kidney infection
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Smoking and use of tobacco
Diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease
For a proper diagnosis of chronic kidney disease, your healthcare provider will take your medical history and conduct some tests:
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Blood Test known as estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR): It is an estimate of how well your kidneys are working and filtering blood. It is calculated using serum creatinine level, age, sex, and cystatin C level. Having an eGFR under 60 is a sign you may have kidney disease.
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Urine Test known as urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR): It measures the amount of albumin and creatinine in the urine. Having a uACR over 30 or more is a sign you may have kidney disease.
In some cases, your healthcare professional will also perform some additional tests such as ultrasound, MRI, CT scans, and kidney biopsy.
Five Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease
There are five stages of CKD, based on how well your kidneys are functioning and their ability to filter out waste from the blood. Blood and urine tests determine a patient’s stage of CKD.
| Stage | GFR (mL/min) | Remarks |
| Stage 1 | 90 and higher | Signs of mild kidney damage |
| Stage 2 | 60 to 89 | More signs of mild kidney damage |
| Stage 3a | 45 to 50 | Mild to moderate damage. Kidneys are not working well |
| Stage 3b | 30 to 44 | Moderate damage, and kidneys are not working well |
| Stage 4 | 15 to 29 | Kidneys are severely damaged. Poor kidney function |
| Stage 5 | Less than 15 | Close to kidney failure or the kidney stopped working |
How to Manage Chronic Kidney Disease?
Chronic kidney disease is not curable entirely, but essential steps could be taken to manage the symptoms, such as:
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Manage blood glucose if you have diabetes
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Manage blood pressure levels
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Avoid taking painkillers that make your kidney disease worse
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150 min. of exercise per week
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Maintain a healthy weight
Your medical professional will recommend specific treatment depending on the stage of your CKD. Following are some recommendations that apply to most people with CKD.
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Medications: One or more ACE inhibitors or nsMRA medicines are prescribed to slow down or stop the progression of CKD. For people who have diabetes and a history of heart disease or are age 50 or older, the doctor may also prescribe a statin (cholesterol medicine). Vitamin B and calcitriol are also recommended to prevent bone loss.
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Nutrition: If you have high blood pressure, it is recommended that you limit your sodium intake to less than 6 grams a day.
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Lifestyle Changes: Avoid smoking or tobacco products, exercise regularly, get proper sleep, and maintain a balanced diet.
Kidney Dialysis: A Recommended Option for Chronic Kidney Disease
As mentioned above, there is no cure for CKD, and if a patient has end-stage patient disease, the doctor must consider other additional options. The primary choice for treating end-stage kidney disease includes dialysis.
It is a procedure in which waste products are removed from the body with the help of a machine when kidneys are no longer able to perform their functions.
There are two major types of dialysis:
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Hemodialysis: In this procedure, blood is circulated through a machine, removing excess salt, water, and waste products, and then returned to the body. It is a four-hour treatment that is required three times a week.
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Peritoneal Dialysis: In this procedure, a dialysis solution is placed into the abdomen through a catheter. The solution absorbs the waste and is then removed via the catheter.
Is Kidney Transplant a Treatment Option for Chronic Kidney Disease?
A kidney transplant is a preferred option for treating CKD. It involves replacing unhealthy kidneys with healthy kidneys, offering a more active life without needing dialysis. Kidneys for transplantation come from two sources: living or deceased donors.
On average, a kidney transplant from a living donor lasts about 15 to 20 years, and a kidney transplant from a deceased donor lasts 8 to 12 years. The average cost of chronic kidney disease treatment in India is approximately 6000 USD.
So, if you are experiencing symptoms of chronic kidney disease and your doctor has told you that your kidney disease is getting worse, you can opt for a kidney transplant.
Conclusion
Chronic kidney disease is a severe issue, as the kidney plays a vital role in the body. Timely diagnosis can help you manage the condition because you can initiate timely treatment. Treatment for this condition is lifelong, and it takes time and patience. Talking to a healthcare provider will help you plan your treatment.
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