Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD), commonly known as chronic kidney failure, is a condition in which the kidneys gradually lose function. Wastes and surplus fluids are filtered from your blood and expelled as urine by your kidneys. When chronic kidney disease progresses, your body might accumulate harmful quantities of fluid, electrolytes, and wastes. You may have few indications or symptoms in the early stages of chronic renal disease. Chronic renal disease may not be seen until your kidney function has deteriorated severely.
Chronic renal disease refers to a group of disorders that harm your kidneys and reduce their ability to keep you healthy by performing the tasks outlined. If your kidney condition worsens, wastes in your blood might build up to dangerously high levels, making you unwell. High blood pressure, anemia (low blood count), weak bones, poor nutritional status, and nerve damage are all possible problems. Every 30 minutes, your kidneys, which are each about the size of a computer mouse, filter all of your blood. They put forth a lot of effort to get rid of wastes, poisons, and excess fluid. They also aid in the control of blood pressure, the stimulation of red blood cell synthesis, the maintenance of healthy bones, and the regulation of vital blood molecules.
Symptoms
The majority of people do not experience significant symptoms until their renal disease has progressed. You may, however, observe that you:
- Feel tired and have less energy
- Trouble while concentrating
- Poor appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Muscle cramping at night
- Swollen feet and ankles
- Puffiness around the eyes
- Dry, itchy skin
- Often urination
Chronic renal disease can strike anyone at any age. However, some people are more susceptible to kidney disease than others. If you do any of the following, you may be at a higher risk for kidney disease:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Family history of kidney failure
Causes
Chronic kidney disease develops when a disease or condition inhibits kidney function for months or years, causing kidney damage to deteriorate. Chronic kidney disease is caused by a variety of diseases and situations, including:
Diabetes
Chronic kidney disease is linked to diabetes types 1 and 2. If the patient’s diabetes is not well controlled, excess sugar (glucose) can accumulate in the blood. Kidney disease is not common during the first 10 years of diabetes; it more commonly occurs 15-25 years after diagnosis of diabetes.
Hypertension
High blood pressure can harm the glomeruli, which filter waste products in the kidney.
Kidney Diseases
Including polycystic kidney disease, pyelonephritis, or glomerulonephritis.
Kidney Artery Stenosis
The renal artery narrows or is blocked before it enters the kidney.
Fetal Developmental Problem
If the kidneys do not develop properly in the unborn baby while it is developing in the womb.
Diagnosis
Blood Test
It may be ordered to determine whether waste substances are being adequately filtered out. If levels of urea and creatinine are persistently high, the doctor will most likely diagnose end-stage kidney disease.
Urine Test
A urine test helps find out whether there is either blood or protein in the urine
Kidney Scans
kidney scans may include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, computed tomography (CT) scan, or an ultrasound scan. It is to determine that there are any blockages in the urine flow. These scans can reveal the size and shape of the kidneys in an advanced stage of kidney disease. The kidneys are smaller and have an uneven shape.
Kidney Biopsy
It may be ordered to determine whether waste substances are being adequately filtered out. If levels of urea and creatinine are persistently high, the doctor will most likely diagnose end-stage kidney disease.
Chest X-ray
It may be ordered to determine whether waste substances are being adequately filtered out. If levels of urea and creatinine are persistently high, the doctor will most likely diagnose end-stage kidney disease.
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
GFR is a test that measures the glomerular filtration rate – it compares the levels of waste products in the patient’s blood and urine. GFR measures how many milliliters of waste the kidneys can filter per minute. The kidneys of healthy individuals can typically filter it over 90 ml per minute.
Treatment
Chronic kidney disease currently has no cure. Some medicines, on the other hand, can help control the signs and symptoms, lower the risk of complications, and limit the disease's course. Chronic renal disease patients often require a high number of drugs. The following are some of the treatments:
- Changing your lifestyle can help you stay as healthy as possible.
- Medicine is used to treat disorders such as high blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Dialysis is a treatment that mimics some of the functions of the kidney.
- In severe CKD, a kidney transplant is required.
- Fluid overload
- Congestive heart failure
- Anemia
- Brittle bones
- Weight loss
- Electrolyte Imbalance
The advancement of kidney impairment can be slowed by addressing underlying issues such as hypertension and diabetes. When your kidneys start to fail, you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD). You may need dialysis or a kidney transplant if your kidney function drops to 10% or less.
Preventions
- Keep blood pressure level below 140/90 mm Hg
- If you are having diabetes, maintain target blood sugar level
- Physical activity will help in maintaining blood pressure and blood sugar levels
- Try to lose weight if you’re overweight
- Get regular check-ups for CKD if you’re at high risk
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and avoid smoking
Consult a nutritionist if you have CKD to develop a kidney-friendly dietary plan. As you get older or your health state changes, your plan may need to modify. Take your medications as directed, and talk to your doctor about angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers, which can help protect your kidneys while also decreasing blood pressure.
Risk Factors
Some of the risk factors that will increase the risk of chronic kidney disease include:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart and blood vessel
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Family history of kidney disease
- Abnormal kidney structure
- Older age
