What is chronic kidney disease (CKD)?

The Chronic Kidney Disease Solution™ By Shelly Manning It is an eBook that includes the most popular methods to care and manage kidney diseases by following the information provided in it. This easily readable eBook covers up various important topics like what is chronic kidney disease, how it is caused, how it can be diagnosed, tissue damages caused by chronic inflammation, how your condition is affected by gut biome, choices for powerful lifestyle and chronic kidney disease with natural tools etc.

Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive condition characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function over time. The kidneys play a crucial role in filtering waste and excess fluids from the blood, which are then excreted in the urine. When kidney function declines, it can lead to the accumulation of waste products in the body, causing various health problems. Here is a comprehensive overview of CKD:

Definition and Stages

Definition:
- CKD is defined by a reduction in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or evidence of kidney damage for at least three months. GFR is a measure of how well the kidneys filter blood. Normal GFR is typically above 90 mL/min/1.73 m².
Stages of CKD:
- CKD is categorized into five stages based on the GFR:
  - Stage 1: GFR ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m² with kidney damage (e.g., proteinuria).
  - Stage 2: GFR 60-89 mL/min/1.73 m² with kidney damage.
  - Stage 3: GFR 30-59 mL/min/1.73 m².
  - Stage 4: GFR 15-29 mL/min/1.73 m².
  - Stage 5: GFR < 15 mL/min/1.73 m², indicating kidney failure (also known as end-stage renal disease, ESRD) (World Health Organization (WHO)) (Nature) (World Health Organization (WHO)).

Causes

Diabetes:
- Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD. High blood sugar levels over time can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, impairing their ability to function properly (World Health Organization (WHO)).
Hypertension:
- High blood pressure is another major cause of CKD. It can damage the kidney’s blood vessels, reducing their ability to filter waste from the blood effectively (Nature).
Other Causes:
- Other causes include glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units), polycystic kidney disease, prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract, recurrent kidney infections, and certain medications that can harm the kidneys (World Health Organization (WHO)).

Symptoms

CKD often has no symptoms in its early stages. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:

Fatigue and weakness
Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet (edema)
Shortness of breath
Persistent itching
Changes in urination patterns (frequency and appearance)
Muscle cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Poor appetite and weight loss (World Health Organization (WHO)) (Nature) (World Health Organization (WHO)).

Diagnosis

Blood Tests:
- Blood tests measure the levels of waste products, such as creatinine and urea, to assess kidney function. The GFR is calculated based on creatinine levels, age, sex, and body size (World Health Organization (WHO)) (Nature).
Urine Tests:
- Urine tests check for protein, blood, and other abnormalities that indicate kidney damage (World Health Organization (WHO)).
Imaging Tests:
- Imaging tests like ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI provide images of the kidneys to identify structural abnormalities and blockages (Nature).
Kidney Biopsy:
- In some cases, a kidney biopsy may be performed to examine a small sample of kidney tissue under a microscope to determine the cause of kidney damage (World Health Organization (WHO)).

Treatment

Lifestyle Changes:
- Dietary modifications, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake can help manage CKD and its complications (World Health Organization (WHO)) (Nature).
Medications:
- Medications may include blood pressure-lowering drugs, medications to control blood sugar levels, and drugs to manage symptoms such as swelling and anemia (World Health Organization (WHO)).
Dialysis and Kidney Transplant:
- In advanced stages (Stage 5), dialysis or a kidney transplant may be necessary. Dialysis performs the function of the kidneys by filtering waste from the blood, while a kidney transplant replaces the diseased kidney with a healthy one from a donor (World Health Organization (WHO)) (Nature).

Conclusion

Chronic Kidney Disease is a serious condition that can lead to significant health complications if not managed properly. Early detection through routine screening, especially in individuals with risk factors like diabetes and hypertension, is crucial. Effective management involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and in advanced cases, dialysis or kidney transplant (World Health Organization (WHO)) (Nature) (World Health Organization (WHO)).