About Chronic kidney disease and what causes it
Chronic kidney disease is a progressive loss in kidney function over a period of months or years. Each of your kidneys has about a million tiny filters, called nephrons. If nephrons are damaged, they stop working. For a while, healthy nephrons can take on the extra work. But if the damage continues, more and more nephrons shut down. After a certain point, the nephrons that are left cannot filter your blood well enough to keep you healthy.
It’s not easy for doctors to diagnose chronic kidney disease because the early stages have no signs or symptoms.
But you know what? If kidney disease is picked up and treated early on, treatment can slow it or even stop it completely and the associated cardiovascular complications can be reduced.
Kidney diseases are common, harmful and often treatable
Common: Between 8 and 10% of the adult population have some form of kidney damage, and every year millions die prematurely of complications related to chronic kidney diseases.
Harmful: The first consequence of undetected chronic kidney disease is the risk of developing progressive loss of kidney function that can lead to kidney failure (also called end-stage renal disease), which means regular dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant is needed to survive.
The second consequence of chronic kidney disease is that it increases the risk of premature death from associated cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and strokes. People who appear to be healthy who are then found to have chronic kidney disease have an increased risk of dying prematurely from cardiovascular disease regardless of whether they ever develop kidney failure.
Treatable: If chronic kidney disease is detected early and managed appropriately, the deterioration in kidney function can be slowed or even stopped, and the risk of associated cardiovascular complications can be reduced.
This is how your kidney function is measured
The main indicator of kidney function is your blood level of creatinine, a waste product of the body produced by muscles and excreted by the kidneys. If your kidneys aren’t working as well as they should, creatinine builds up in the blood, which causes an elevated level when a blood test is checked.
Your kidney function is best measured by an indicator that measures the blood filtration rate by kidneys. This indicator allows doctors to determine if the kidney function is normal, and if not, to what level the reduced kidney function has deteriorated.
These are the causes of chronic kidney disease
High blood pressure and diabetes are the most common causes of kidney disease. The high blood pressure causes just over a quarter of all cases of kidney failure. Diabetes has been established as the cause of around one-third of all cases and is the commonest cause of kidney failure in most developed countries.
Other less common conditions include inflammation (glomerulonephritis) or infections (pyelonephritis). Sometimes chronic kidney disease is inherited (such as polycystic disease) or the result of longstanding blockage to the urinary system (such as enlarged prostate or kidney stones).
Some medicines can cause chronic kidney disease, especially some pain-killing drugs (analgesics) if taken over a long time. Often doctors cannot determine what caused the problem.
References: www.worldkidneyday.org
Discovery Health KidneyCare member book
Kidneys do amazing things and are vital to your health
Most people have a pair of kidneys that are found at the back of the body about the level of the waist. Each bean-shaped kidney is about the size of your fist and works hard to keep your body healthy.
The main job of your kidneys is to remove toxins and extra fluid from your blood. They also control your body’s chemical balance, help control your blood pressure, keep your bones healthy, and help your body make red blood cells.
Some people’s kidneys don’t work as effectively as they should
Kidney disease is more common than one would expect: Up to 10% of the adult population have some form of kidney damage and millions of people die prematurely of complications related to chronic kidney disease.
Loss of kidney function can lead to kidney failure, but chronic kidney disease also brings with it many other dangers. This includes cardiovascular disease like heart attack and stroke that increase the risk of dying prematurely.
1
Drink enough water to stay hydrated
Staying hydrated will help your kidneys function properly. Your urine should be straw-coloured or paler. If it's any darker that's a sign of dehydration.
During hot weather in the summer, when travelling in hot countries or when exercising strenuously, you need to drink more water than usual to make up for the fluid you lose through sweating.
2
Eat healthily
A balanced diet ensures you get all the minerals and vitamins your body needs. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and grains, such as wholewheat pasta, bread and rice. Don't eat too much salty or fatty food.
This can help prevent diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and other conditions associated with chronic kidney disease.
3
Don't smoke or drink too much alcohol
Smoking and drinking too much alcohol means that your kidneys have to work harder to remove poisons from your blood. Try to stop smoking completely and limit yourself to two small drinks a day for a man and one small drink a day for a woman.
4
Watch your blood pressure
You probably know that high blood pressure can lead to stroke or a heart attack but having high blood pressure is the most common cause of kidney disease. Check your blood pressure regularly: If your blood pressure is higher than it should be, your doctor can suggest lifestyle changes including physical activity and healthy eating. Sometimes your doctor may need to prescribe medicine to help reduce your blood pressure.
5
Keep slim to help your kidneys
Being overweight, even by only a few kilograms, can raise your blood pressure, which is bad for your kidneys. Try to keep yourself at a healthy weight by keeping active and not overeating. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as walking, cycling or swimming, each week a week.
My condition and treatment
More on chronic kidney disease, treatments and why it’s important to stick to a treatment plan.
Me and my lifestyle
Read more on how to keep a healthy weight and to get some tasty recipes for people on dialysis.
Me and my thoughts
Starting dialysis can be a major upset in your life. Reach out if you feel overwhelmed.
My health status and support
It’s important to take steps to make sure you are properly taken care of in an emergency situation.
