What is a Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?

Chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney failure, is the gradual loss of kidney functions. Typically, the kidneys work by filtering out blood so that wastes and excess fluids are removed from the body through urine. Advanced chronic kidney disease may allow harmful amounts of fluid, electrolytes, and wastes to build up in the body.

What are the symptoms of chronic kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease symptoms and signs evolve over time if it follows a slow and gradual impairment of the kidneys. Fluid or body waste accumulation or electrolyte imbalance is a possible cause of loss of kidney function. Regarding its severity, loss of function in the kidneys can lead to any of the following:

Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Fatigue and weakness
Sleep disturbances
Urinating more or less
Reduced mental acuteness
Muscle cramps
Swelling of feet and ankles
Dry, itchy skin
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Shortness of breath if fluid accumulates in the lungs
Pains in the chest if fluid collection is present around the heart's lining.

Most people with kidney disease do not experience very specific signs and symptoms. That is, lots of other diseases can also cause them. Because your kidneys can compensate for lost function, you may never experience signs and symptoms until permanent damage has occurred.

What causes kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease usually develops as a complication of another condition that affects the kidneys. It often results from a combination of problems.

CKD can be caused by:

High blood pressure is a lifelong condition. Over time, it can strain the small blood vessels in your kidneys and stop them from working properly.
Diabetes: high glucose levels may damage the tiny filters inside your kidneys
High cholesterol causes fatty deposits to build up in the blood vessels that supply the kidneys, damaging their ability to function.
Kidney infections
Glomerulonephritis – inflammation of the kidneys
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disorder that causes the kidneys to develop small growths known as cysts.
Obstruction of the flow of urine-for example, from recurrent kidney stones or an enlarged prostate.
Long-term, sustained administration of some drugs like lithium and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

You can help prevent CKD through healthy lifestyle changes and by taking good care to control any other conditions you may have.

How is kidney disease diagnosed?

First, the doctor will take a medical history, do a physical check-up, ask you about any medication you're presently taking, and ask you to describe any symptoms you've noticed.

Your healthcare provider will order some blood and urine tests to check your kidney function.

Blood tests will be specific in checking for these:

The glomerular filtration rate or GFR: This is how well your kidneys are filtering your blood-in other words, the volume of milliliters filtered per minute. Staging uses your GFR to classify your kidney disease.
Your blood serum creatinine level which tells how well your kidneys are filtering out this waste. Creatinine is a byproduct of muscle metabolism and, under normal conditions, is flushed out of your body through your urine. A higher level of creatinine in your blood indicates that your kidneys are not efficient enough to flush it out of your body through your urine.

Urine tests will search for protein (albumin) and blood in your urine. Healthy kidneys won't have either.

Other tests that may be prescribed include imaging tests. These can reveal problems with the size and structure of the kidneys, such as size abnormalities, ultrasound, MRI, or CT scans. He or she may also order a kidney biopsy to check for a specific type of kidney disease or to determine just how much kidney damage you might have.

How is chronic kidney disease treated?

CKD is not curable, but some treatments can help to alleviate its symptoms and may delay its progression.

The main treatments are:

Lifestyle adjustments to help you stay as well as possible
Medication for secondary problems like hypertension and hyperlipidemia
Dialysis- treatment of a number of the kidney's functions; may be necessary in end-stage CKD
Kidney transplant – may also be indicated for advanced CKD

You will also be encouraged to follow up regularly to assess your condition.

Can kidney disease be prevented?

Regular access to your healthcare provider throughout your lifetime is a good place to start preventing kidney disease. One in three people in the United States is at risk for kidney disease. People at high risk should go in for regular tests to check for CKD so that it is picked at an early stage. Some other things you can do to prevent CKD are:

Control your blood pressure.
Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
Eating healthy is recommended.
Do not smoke or use tobacco.
Be active for at least 30 minutes five days a week
Maintain weight at a healthy range.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers only as directed. You can damage your kidneys if you take more than directed.
Avoid or limit alcohol-containing beverages.

What should I know if I have kidney disease?

This means that with kidney disease, you can continue to have a productive home and work life, spend time with family and friends, and do other things you want to do. Therefore, it is very important for you to be an active member of your treatment team for the best possible outcome.

Early diagnosis and proper treatment might sufficiently delay the progression of the disease. The aim is to either delay or avoid failure of the kidneys. You'll have to go for follow-up appointments, adhere to prescribed drugs, keep being consistent with a healthy diet, and you will monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar.

How often should I see my healthcare provider?

If diagnosed beforehand, it may halt the progression of kidney diseases to end-stage kidney failure. You should work with your provider to manage known causes of kidney disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diseases that affect your kidneys.

You should closely work with your provider to know your risk and be present at all annual or scheduled visits with your provider since kidney disease is often symptom-free during its earliest stages.

Most people do not have symptoms until CKD is severe. Contact your provider if you:

Feel more tired than usual.
Do not feel like eating.
Are peeing more than usual.
Have trouble sleeping or focusing.
Have some muscle cramps, itchy skin, or swollen feet and ankles.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Chronic Kidney Diseases treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital has the most trusted team of Nephrologists with advanced diagnostic equipment care for Chronic Kidney Diseases treatment in Lucknow, India. Our Nephrology department follows international safety standards and has years of experience in successfully managing disease and conditions like Chronic Kidney Diseases.