Kidney Disease Overview

Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of your fist. They are located in the middle of your back, on both sides, just below the rib cage.

Normal kidney function is:

  • To filter body waste and fluid in the form of urine.
  • To regulate water and chemicals in your blood, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus.
  • To remove drugs and toxins from your body.
  • To release hormones into your blood to help your body regulate blood pressure, make red blood cells, and promote strong bones.

Definition of Kidney Disease

The kidneys have been damaged for a variety of reasons which decreases their ability to function properly.

If kidney disease gets worse, waste can build to a high level in your blood and make you feel sick.

Complications may develop, such as high blood pressure, anemia, weak bones and nerve damage.

Also, kidney disease can increase your risk of heart and blood vessel disease.

These complications may develop slowly over a long period of time.

Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

The leading causes of CKD are diabetes, hypertension, and many other disease processes and conditions.

Certain ethnic groups, especially African Americans, are at a higher risk.

People with a family history of CKD, and people with heart disease are at high risk.

Signs and symptoms:

  • Swelling in your feet, legs, or around eyes.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Itching.
  • Changes in urination.
  • Bad taste in your mouth.
  • Nausea.
  • Poor appetite.
  • Pain in your side or back.
  • Tiredness.
  • Sleep problems.
  • Or nothing at all
    **Often, there are no noticeable symptoms.

Diagnosis

How can you find out if you have CKD?
If you have a CKD risk factor, inform your doctor and ask for the following tests to be done.
*Blood pressure, protein in your urine, creatinine in your blood and eGFR.

Creatinine is a waste product normally removed by kidneys and used to calculate eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) a number that measures how well your kidneys are filtering.

Normal GFR is 125ml/min.

CKD is divided to 5 stages by eGFR.

  • CKD Stage 1, GFR >90
  • Stage 2, GFR 60-90
  • Stage 3, GFR 30-60
  • Stage 4, GFR 15-30
  • Stage 5, GFR <15, also called End Stage Renal Desease.

Stage 5 (ESRD), is the stage dialysis or a transplant is needed to stay alive.

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