Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an all-too-common condition. It impacts about 30 million American adults, with millions more at increased risk or even unaware they have this potentially fatal illness, according to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF).
CKD can cause a continuation of kidney impairment over time, ultimately leading to chronic renal failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). If you or your loved one suffers from CKD, it's critical to know more about ESRD in hopes of preventing you from ever reaching that late stage.
The kidneys' primary function is to filter waste products out of the blood while retaining necessary products, like proteins. Chronic kidney disease, also referred to as chronic renal disease, generally refers to a gradual loss of that function over time.
When someone's kidney function is impaired, the body's filtration system has become leaky, per the Journal of the American Medical Association. Proteins can then seep into the urine, instead of remaining in the blood, decreasing urine production. This may ultimately result in kidney failure. When the kidneys fail, waste products can then leak into the blood and body tissues, damaging other organs and parts of the body.
Health care providers diagnose CKD after kidney impairment has lasted more than three months. Providers then offer further detailed CKD classifications, based on a patient's eGFR, or estimated glomerular filtration rate, which screens for kidney damage, according to The Renal Association.
CKD stage G5, often clinically referred to as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is the last stage of chronic kidney disease and generally results in chronic renal failure. At this point, patients require dialysis or a kidney transplant. CKD stage G4 is considered advanced kidney damage, and the patient will likely need a kidney transplant or dialysis in the near future.
The leading causes of ESRD include diabetes, high blood pressure, glomerulenephritis (inflammation), and polycystic kidney disease. But besides these direct causes, patients may be at increased risk for chronic renal failure because of other factors:
If one or more of these risk factors is a concern for you, consider speaking with your doctor about more closely monitoring your kidney health.
If your doctor suspects problems with your kidney function, you can expect to undergo any of the following tests:
Your primary care doctor may also recommend a kidney specialist to provide additional consultation on your condition and treatment plan.
Depending on a range of factors and the cause of kidney function impairment, your treatment plan can vary. For example, lifestyle and dietary interventions are common, such as quitting smoking, increasing regular physical exercise, and limiting the intake of high-sodium, high-phosphate, and processed foods.
The severity of your kidney impairment may dictate other, more intensive and invasive treatment options. Most commonly, this could include a kidney transplant. Or you may need to begin regular hemodialysis treatments, which use a machine to clean your blood and are performed either at a dialysis center or your own home.
Because kidney damage is generally permanent, if you're at risk or already suffer from kidney-related issues, address these concerns with your doctor right away. Protecting your kidneys means protecting part of your body's natural defense system against waste and toxic substances' ability to damage other organs.
Chronic kidney disease management, even in its later stages, is within your grasp today.
Going to the doctor can be stressful. Whether for a general exam or a specific health problem, there is often so much information to process that we don't think to ask questions during our visit or simply feel embarrassed to ask.
Read More Additional information about Dignity Health | 5 Questions Women Should Ask Their Primary Care Physician
It's important to remember that vitamins and supplements cannot take the place of a healthy diet. For example, pregnant women should eat multiple servings of fresh green vegetables and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Higher doses of certain vitami...
Read More Additional information about Dignity Health | *
It's often said that breastfeeding is a full-time job. And in those first few weeks of motherhood, when it feels like you're feeding constantly, it certainly can be. But what happens a few months later when you have to go back to work?
Read More Additional information about Dignity Health | How to Make Breastfeeding for Working Moms Easy