What is Kidney Disease?
More than one in ten adult Americans has chronic kidney disease. Many don’t know what it is, how damaging it can be ... or that they have it at all.
Taking control of your kidney health
Chronic kidney disease is preventable. If you find out early that you have it, you can slow down or stop the damage.
Prevention
By taking care of your kidneys while they’re healthy, you can greatly reduce your chance of developing chronic kidney disease.
Risk factors
Depending on your family history, ethnic background and pre-existing health conditions, you may be at a greater risk for kidney disease.
Getting diagnosed
Early diagnosis of kidney disease increases your chance of living a long and healthy life.
Common questions
- Kidney disease is often used as a casual term for “chronic kidney disease.” Since there are a number of different kidney diseases, it’s more accurate to use the name of the specific disease or the full term “chronic kidney disease.”
- Chronic kidney disease is the gradual and progressive decrease in kidney function caused by heightened strain on the kidneys. People often shorten the name to CKD.
- Kidney failure refers to kidney damage so significant that dialysis or a transplant is needed to survive. Chronic kidney failure is also called end-stage kidney disease or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
The best way to find out if you have chronic kidney disease is to visit your doctor and ask for a series of simple tests. After checking your blood pressure and testing your urine and blood, your doctor will be able to make a diagnosis.
- Heart disease. Chronic kidney disease and heart disease are strongly linked. Most people with chronic kidney disease die of heart and blood vessel disease (heart attacks, strokes and heart failure) before they ever need dialysis.
- High blood pressure. High blood pressure causes chronic kidney disease, but kidney disease also causes high blood pressure. High blood pressure leads to heart and blood vessel disease, so controlling blood pressure is very important.
- Anemia. When damaged kidneys fail to release the hormone that tells your body to make red blood cells, you get anemia. Anemia can make you so tired that it’s hard to stay active and independent.
- Calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D. Calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D in your body can get out of balance because your kidneys help control levels of these substances. This can cause bone disease. Calcium buildup in your blood vessels may lead to heart disease.
- Potassium. Potassium is an electrolyte necessary for your body to function. With chronic kidney disease, your potassium levels can get too high. This can prevent muscles, including your heart, from working properly.
- Malnutrition. Chronic kidney disease can make it hard for you to eat the way you should. It can affect your appetite, and you may have a number of diet restrictions. A registered dietitian can give advice to help you stay well nourished and healthy.
- Uremia. Uremia is a sign that your chronic kidney disease is very advanced. You may have nausea and vomiting, swelling, trouble thinking clearly, extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, and heart problems. Without treatment, you’re at risk of death.
Attend one of our classes to learn how to best manage your kidney disease.
- Take care of your heart
- Control your blood pressure
- Treat anemia
- Monitor blood sugar if you have diabetes
- Eat well and exercise → Find out more about nutrition and fitness
- Stop smoking
- Guard against depression
Your doctor may also ask you to:
- Reduce your phosphorus intake
- Cut down on potassium
The “stages” of chronic kidney disease indicate how much kidney damage has occurred. Each stage measured by how much blood the kidneys can filter per minute, also known as the glomerular filtration rate.
- Stage 1 — normal or high kidney function (GFR of more than 90 mL/min).
- Stage 2 — mild decline in kidney function (GFR of 60-89 mL/min).
- Stage 3A — mild to moderate decline in kidney function (GFR of 45-59 mL/min).
- Stage 3B — moderate to severe decline in kidney function (GFR of 30-44 mL/min).
- Stage 4 — severe decline in kidney function (GFR of 15-29 mL/min).
- Stage 5 — end-stage kidney disease, also known as kidney failure (GFR of less than 15 mL/min).
The more you know, the more you’re able to make good decisions and work on positive changes. Northwest Kidney Centers offers free classes and online nutrition guides. And we are happy to refer you to other organizations’ resources available to help you take control of your kidney health.
