Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Chronic kidney disease causes severe damage to the kidneys. The kidneys are responsible for filtering the waste from the blood and their exertion out of the body through the urine.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Chronic kidney disease occurs due to a gradual damage in the kidneys, which in the end might lead to kidney failure. CKD occurs due to many reasons and it usually starts as a mild condition that doesn’t show symptoms and gradually becomes more severe, if it isn’t managed, until it reaches a point where the kidneys stop functioning.

Chronic renal disease is common worldwide, and the risk of having it increases with aging.

Causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Chronic kidney disease occurs due to some health conditions that affect the kidneys and cause problems in them. High blood pressure and diabetes are the most common causes of CKD. Other causes include:

• Polycystic kidney disease, which is a genetic disorder that causes fluid-filled cysts to manifest on the kidneys.
• Glomerulonephritis.
• Inflammation in the renal tubes and surrounding structures.
• Chronic urinary tract obstruction.
• Membranous nephropathy, in which the immune system attacks the filtering membranes of the kidney.
• Recurrent kidney infections.
• Vesicoureteral reflux, in which the urine goes back into the kidneys instead of going out.
• Some immune disorders, like lupus.

Risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD)

• Diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Cardiovascular diseases.
• Family history.
• Obesity.
• Smoking.
• Congenital kidney problems.
• Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, and others) for a long period of time.

Symptoms of chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Usually, there aren’t any symptoms in the early stages of CKD, and they start appearing with the progression of the condition when the waste starts to build up in the blood because the kidneys can’t function properly, and this condition might take years before the start of the symptoms, which include:

• Tiredness and weakness.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Increased or decreased need to urinate.
• Foamy urine.
• Loss of appetite.
• Swelling in the ankles, feet, and hands.
• Puffy eyes.
• Dry and itchy skin.
• Sleep problems.
• Difficulty controlling hypertension.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Muscle crumps.
• Shortness of breath.
• Chest pain.

Complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD)

• Weak and brittle bones.
• Anemia.
• Nerve damage.
• Cardiovascular diseases.
• High potassium and phosphorus.
• Weak immunity.
• Gout.
• Pregnancy problems.
• Disturbed acid and base balance in the blood.

Diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD)

• Blood tests.
• Urine tests.
• Imaging tests.
• Biopsy in some cases.

Management of chronic kidney disease (CKD)

There isn’t a cure for chronic renal disease, yet we can manage the symptoms and decrease the disease progression through:

• Specific medications.
• Dialysis.
• Kidney transplant in some cases.

Prevention of chronic kidney disease (CKD)

• Follow a healthy lifestyle.
• Avoid smoking.
• Manage other diseases, if any.
• Don’t overuse NSAIDs.