Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease means the kidneys have been damaged or are not working as well as they should over a period of months or years. Healthy kidneys filter waste and extra fluid from the blood and help control blood pressure. In CKD this filtering slowly declines, allowing waste to build up. It is described in stages based on how well the kidneys function.

Chronic kidney disease is a widespread condition affecting many people around the world, though it often goes unrecognised in its early stages. It becomes more common with age and is more likely in people with diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney problems. Many people live for years with mild CKD without serious complications.

Early chronic kidney disease often causes no symptoms, which is why it is frequently detected through routine tests. As it advances, signs may include tiredness, swelling in the ankles, feet or hands, shortness of breath, needing to urinate more often, blood in the urine, and trouble sleeping. Symptoms tend to appear gradually rather than suddenly.

The most common causes are diabetes and high blood pressure, which can damage the small filtering units of the kidneys over time. Other causes include inflammation of the kidneys, inherited conditions and long-term blockages in the urinary tract. Risk rises with age, a family history of kidney disease, smoking, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Chronic kidney disease is usually diagnosed with blood and urine tests. A blood test estimates how well the kidneys are filtering, while a urine test checks for protein or blood that can signal damage. These results help place the disease into a stage. A doctor may also use imaging or, in some cases, a small tissue sample to find the underlying cause.

There is usually no cure, so care focuses on slowing the decline in kidney function and managing complications. This often involves controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, adopting a kidney-friendly diet, staying active and not smoking. Medicines may be used to protect the kidneys and treat related problems. In advanced disease, dialysis or a kidney transplant may be considered.

The risk of chronic kidney disease can be lowered by managing conditions that harm the kidneys, especially diabetes and high blood pressure. Keeping a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, being physically active, avoiding smoking and using medicines only as advised all help. For people at higher risk, regular kidney checks allow problems to be found and treated early.