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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) |
What is chronic kidney disease?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a slow decline in your kidney function, generally occurring over a time period of greater than three months. Throughout the day, as you're eating, drinking, and exercising, your body engages in numerous metabolic processes. These processes create waste that must be cleared from your blood, and your kidneys are the organs responsible for this task. The kidneys clear waste and toxins from your blood, and these wastes and toxins exit your body in the form of urine. In essence, the kidneys make urine.
How Will I Know if I Have CKD?
Chronic kidney disease can catch people by surprise, as it is often diagnosed through blood tests when individuals have few or even no symptoms at all. It is crucial to know if you have chronic kidney disease because you may be eligible for therapies that could reverse or delay the progression of your condition. This means you could live longer with kidney function that allows you to avoid advanced therapies.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease often do not manifest until the later stages. Some common signs and symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, changes in urination patterns or urine colour, swelling of the feet and ankles, itching, muscle twitches, muscle cramps, chest pain, shortness of breath, foamy urine, and blood in the urine. These signs and symptoms can be non-specific, meaning they could indicate various diseases. Therefore, if you experience these symptoms, it is best to consult your primary care provider, inform them of how you're feeling, and determine what testing is appropriate.
Is it Dangerous?
If left untreated, chronic kidney disease can progress to complete kidney failure. The kidneys are essential for maintaining life, but if you develop full kidney failure, there are therapies available, such as dialysis or kidney transplantation.
How is it Diagnosed?
Chronic kidney disease is primarily caused by two main conditions: diabetes and hypertension. Both are very common, so it is important to get tested for them, especially if you have a family history of these conditions. Your healthcare provider may diagnose chronic kidney disease through several methods, including blood tests, urine tests, imaging studies such as an ultrasound of your kidneys, and, in some cases, a kidney biopsy.
Treatments & Therapies
Treating chronic kidney disease involves understanding the underlying cause of your condition. Some causes are treatable, while others are not. Therapies may include medications and lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, exercising, and quitting smoking. There are many potential treatments for chronic kidney disease, but all medications and therapies can have side effects. Therefore, it is important to take the medication or therapy that is specific to the cause of your chronic kidney disease.
Prevention for CKD
To prevent chronic kidney disease, it is essential to be aware of risk factors such as smoking, obesity, family history, and advanced age. While some of these factors are non-modifiable, others, like obesity and tobacco use, can be changed.
What Should Everyone Know?
It is important for everyone to know that treatments for chronic kidney disease are available, and scientific advancements are ongoing. Certain causes of chronic kidney disease are preventable and treatable. If you have risk factors or symptoms, it is crucial to get tested and know your status.
Best & Worst Kidney Habits
The worst thing you can do for your kidney health is to ignore any potential issues. Conversely, the best thing you can do for your kidneys is to live a healthy lifestyle: eat healthily, exercise regularly, and see your doctor for regular checkups.