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Chronic Kidney Disease: Symptoms, Stages, and Treatment

Chronic Kidney Disease: Symptoms, Stages, and Treatment

Apr. 12th, 2024

Did you know that your kidneys help maintain good bone health by making vitamin D?1 Your kidneys are essential to the function of the rest of your body. However, some people suffer from kidney problems and kidney-related diseases, which can cause issues with their body’s daily functions.

There are many different kidney diseases that you could contract during your lifetime, including Acute Kidney Injury, kidney cysts, and kidney stones. The most common kidney disease is Chronic Kidney Disease2, with an estimated 37 million people diagnosed with this disease.3

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic Kidney Disease is when your kidneys are not functioning like they are supposed to. Specifically, your kidneys are not able to properly filter out waste from your blood.4

Some symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease include:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Dry skin
  • Muscle cramps
  • Going to the bathroom more often
  • Puffy eyes5

The Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease

There are five stages of Chronic Kidney Disease. These stages help you and your doctor better understand the level of treatment you will need.

  • Stage 1: A normal level of kidney function (greater than 90%)
  • Stage 2: A decreased level of kidney function (between 60% and 89%)
  • Stage 3: A substantially decreased level of kidney function (between 30% and 59%)
  • Stage 4: A severely decreased level of kidney function (between 15% and 29%)
  • Stage 5: Kidney failure (less than 15%)6

Each stage requires different levels of care and treatments. Your doctor will come up with a treatment plan to properly care for you based on the stage that you are in.

Are You at Risk?

There are several causes and risk factors of Chronic Kidney Disease. They range from past family history, bad habits, and other diseases and conditions. Here are some common causes and risk factors:

  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney infections
  • Smoking
  • Obesity7

If you are concerned that you may have Chronic Kidney Disease, talk to your doctor about the best steps forward.

How to Reduce Your Risk

If you have some of the risk factors of Chronic Kidney Disease, there are some steps you could take to help mitigate your risk. Here are some lifestyle changes you could make:

  • Eat healthier and have a more balanced diet
  • Stop smoking
  • Manage your blood sugar levels
  • Maintain a healthy blood pressure level
  • Lose weight8

Treatment Options:

While there is no cure for Chronic Kidney Disease, there are some treatment options your doctor could prescribe to help manage your Chronic Kidney Disease. However, treatments may vary depending on what stage of Chronic Kidney Disease you have. Here are some common treatment options:

  • Blood pressure pills
  • Changes to your lifestyle (healthier eating for example)
  • Dialysis
  • Kidney transplant9

Health Conditions Caused by Chronic Kidney Disease

If you have Chronic Kidney disease, there is a possibility you could be diagnosed with additional health conditions. Here are some of the possible health conditions:

  • Heart disease
  • Hyperkalemia (high potassium levels)
  • Secondary hyperparathyroidism (mostly for people who are at stage 5)
  • Anemia10
  • Hearing loss

While not everybody will be diagnosed with another health condition as a result of Chronic Kidney Disease, it is important to be aware of the possible health problems associated with Chronic Kidney Disease.

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Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long-term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.

Sources:

  1. “Key facts about kidneys.” Kidney Care UK. Accessed 21 March 2024. Link: https://kidneycareuk.org/kidney-disease-information/about-kidney-health/facts-about-kidneys/
  2. Allarakha, Shaziya. “What Are the Most Common Kidney Diseases?” Accessed 22 March 22, 2024. Link: https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_most_common_kidney_diseases/ article.htm
  3. “We Enhance Lives Through Education.” National Kidney Foundation. Accessed 25 March 2024. Link: https://www.kidney.org
  4. Sachdev, Poonam. “Kidney Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.” Accessed 22 March 2024. Link: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-kidney-disease-basic-information
  5. “Chronic Kidney Disease.” Cleveland Clinic. Accessed 22 March 2024. Link: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15096-chronic-kidney-disease
  6. “Understanding Kidney Disease.” Accessed 25 March 2024. Link: https://nephcure.org/livingwithkidneydisease/what-is-kidney-disease/
  7. “Chronic kidney disease.” Mayo Clinic. Accessed 25 March 2024. Link: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-2035421
  8. “Prevention and Risk Management.” Accessed 25 March 2024. Link: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-2035421
  9. “Treatment.” Accessed 25 March 2024. Link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/treatment/
  10. “Health problems caused by kidney disease.” American Kidney Fund. Accessed 25 March 2024. Link: https://www.kidneyfund.org/living-kidney-disease/health-problems-caused-kidney-disease
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