Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a medical condition in which the kidneys lose their ability to function effectively over a period of months or years. The kidneys play a crucial role in filtering waste products from the blood, balancing electrolytes, and managing fluid levels in the body. When kidney function declines, waste products and fluids can build up in the body, leading to various health issues.
CKD is categorized into five stages based on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which measures how well the kidneys are filtering blood:
CKD can result from various causes, including diabetes, hypertension, glomerulonephritis, and polycystic kidney disease. Risk factors include age, family history of kidney disease, and lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity.
Early stages of CKD often present no symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include fatigue, edema (swelling), changes in urine output, and hypertension. Late stages can lead to serious complications like anemia, bone disease, and cardiovascular issues.
Management of CKD involves controlling underlying conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, dietary changes, medications to manage symptoms, and regular monitoring of kidney function. In advanced stages, renal replacement therapy, such as dialysis or kidney transplantation, may be necessary.
Diabetes can lead to chronic kidney disease by causing damage to the delicate blood vessels in the kidneys. This damage impairs the kidneys' ability to filter blood effectively, leading to a buildup of waste products and fluids.
Hypertension contributes to CKD by increasing the pressure on the blood vessels in the kidneys. Over time, this can cause the vessels to weaken, narrow, or harden, which reduces kidney function.