Causes and Prevention of Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), also known as chronic kidney failure, is a condition Where the kidneys gradually lose function, leading to a buildup of waste and fluids in the body.

As chronic kidney disease (CKD) progresses, it can cause high blood pressure, anaemia, weak bones, and nerve damage. The kidneys are essential for filtering blood, removing waste, regulating blood pressure, producing red blood cells, maintaining bone health, and balancing blood chemicals.

Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Diseases

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 skin
• Frequent 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

What Causes Chronic Kidney Disease?

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.
• Hypertension: High blood pressure can harm the glomeruli, which filter waste products in the kidney.
• Other Kidney Diseases: These include polycystic kidney disease, pyelonephritis, and 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.

List of Diagnosis Tests for Chronic Kidney Diseases

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

These scans may include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, computed tomography (CT) scan, or an ultrasound scan. It is to determine if 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.

Chronic Kidney Medications and Treatment Options

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 treatment options:

• 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.

Some of the treatment also manages some CKD complications like;

• 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.

Prevention for Chronic Kidney Diseases

• Keep blood pressure level below 140/90 mm Hg
• If you have diabetes, maintain a 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. Your plan may need to be modified as you get older or your health state changes. Take your medications as directed.

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.

What are the Risk Factors for Kidney Diseases?

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

Frequently Asked Questions