Everything You Need To Know About CKD Chronic kidney disease (CKD), commonly known as chronic renal disease, chronic renal failure, or chronic kidney failure, is a widespread medical condition that affects a huge majority of the adult population across the globe. Due to the lack of awareness, this condition often goes undetected during its early stages. In some cases kidney function can decline down to 25% of its functional ability without being noticed.

As CKD advances, the kidneys’ function becomes severely impaired resulting in dangerous levels of waste and excessive fluid buildup in the body. The goal of treatment is to stop or slow down the progression of the disease by identifying the underlying cause.

What Is CKD? Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means that your kidneys can’t filter blood the way they do normally. The disease is called chronic because the degradation of kidney function happens gradually over a long period.

To assess the progression of kidney disease, doctors monitor the changes in 2 forms. The first is by determining the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) which is a range of numbers that reflect the kidneys filtering ability. The second is the creatinine level. Creatinine is a waste product that is generated by muscle breakdown which is a naturally occurring process. This waste produce then circulates in the blood until the kidneys excrete from the

body in urine. Elevated creatinine levels typically parallel decreased kidney function. Kidney disease stages are classified as follows:

Stage 1 – GFR rate is normal. Stage 2 – GFR rate is lower than 90, indicates mild loss of function Stage 3 – GFR rate is lower than 60, indicates mild to moderate loss of function Stage 4 – GFR rate is lower than 30, indicates severe loss of function Stage 5 – GFR rate is lower than 15, indicates kidney failure. Dialysis and/or transplant is pursued

These stages are a tool to better clarify the degree of kidney dysfunction. Advance kidney disease requires a nephrologists’ presence in your health care.

Symptoms Of CKD People who are at high risk of getting kidney disease should get their kidney function tested regularly. Early diagnosis can significantly help avoid severe kidney damage.

Some common signs and symptoms of CKD include: ● anemia ● edema – swollen feet, hands, and ankles ● fatigue ● hypertension (high blood pressure)

● itchy skin, can become persistent

● blood in urine

● dark urine

● nausea

● pain on the side or mid to lower back

● panting (shortness of breath) ● protein in urine ● decreased mental alertness ● decreased urine output ● loss of appetite

● more frequent urination, especially at night

● muscle cramps

● muscle twitches

Causes Kidneys carry out the complex process of filtration of body fluids. They excrete excess waste and fluid material and conserve essential minerals and nutrients.

In most cases, progressive kidney damage results from a chronic debilitating condition such as: ● Obstructed urine flow ● Kidney diseases

● Certain toxins

● Diabetes

● Hypertension (high blood pressure)

● Acute and chronic infections

● Some medications ● Substance abuse ● Fetal developmental problem ● Systemic lupus erythematosus and other disease which involve chronic inflammation within the body ● Injury

Takeaway In most patients, kidneys can eliminate most of the waste that our body produces. However, if the flow of blood to the kidneys is impaired, they will stop working normally. Obstruction in the outflow of urine from the body can also result in kidney impairment.

All in all, CKD involves a slow and progressive deterioration of kidney function over a period of many years. If left untreated, the damage to kidneys can be irreversible.