Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
What is CKD?
Chronic kidney disease (also called chronic kidney failure or CKD) is defined as lasting damage to the kidneys that progressively gets worse over time. The kidneys filter wastes and excess fluids from your blood, excreted during urination. When chronic kidney disease reaches an advanced stage, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes can build up in your body and cause health complications. There are approximately 26 million American adults with CKD.What are the symptoms of CKD?
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
- Stunted growth
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- Liver diseases
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue and weakness
- Sleep issues
- Changes in how much you urinate
- Muscle twitches and cramps
- Swelling of feet and ankles
- Persistent itching
- Shortness of breath
- High blood pressure
What causes CKD?
Generally, CKD occurs when a disease or condition impairs kidney function, causing kidney damage to worsen over several months or years. These diseases and conditions include:- Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units
- Interstitial nephritis, an inflammation of the kidney’s tubules and surrounding structures
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract
- Vesicoureteral reflux, a condition that causes urine to back up into your kidneys
- Recurrent kidney infection, also called pyelonephritis
How is CKD diagnosed?
CKD is often diagnosed after clinical evaluation, detailed patient history, and identification of characteristic symptoms. A diagnosis may be confirmed through:- Blood test
- Urine test
- Imaging test
- Kidney tissue testing
What are the treatments for CKD?
Treatment for CKD generally involves controlling signs and symptoms, reducing complications, and slowing the progression of the disease. Some of these treatments include:- High blood pressure medications
- Cholesterol medication
- Anemia medication
- Diuretics
- Calcium, Vitamin D, and phosphate binder (to protect bones)
- Dialysis
- Kidney transplant
Where can I find out more about CKD?
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Articles
GLP-1 Therapies Emerge as Key Tools in CKD Prevention—But Long-Term Success Hinges on Patient Engagement
As reported on Healio, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)–based therapies are rapidly reshaping the landscape of diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) management. Originally developed for glycemic
Why It’s Getting Harder to Get a Kidney Transplant — And What That Means for Patients
Right now, more people than ever are hoping for a kidney transplant — but the system is struggling to keep up. According to Becker’s Clinical
Managing Chronic Kidney Disease through Diet
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), eating the right diet is essential to managing chronic kidney disease. The
The National Kidney Foundation honors 75 Years of Advocacy
In honor of Kidney Awareness Month, we would like to congratulate the National Kidney Foundation on celebrating 75 years as an organization fighting against kidney
Had High BMI as a Child? Your Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Adulthood May Be Heightened
Editor’s Note: Chronic conditions and rare diseases don’t discriminate, Patient Worthy and its partners are interested in amplifying the voices of those from all identities
Study Shows Increased Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease in People from West Africa
Researchers from the National Institutes of Health and the Human Hereditary and Health in Africa (H3Africa) Kidney Research Network reported that people from West Africa
The Newest Medications to Treat Chronic Kidney Disease in Type Two Diabetes
According to a recent report in Healio News, the GLP-1 agonists are medications developed primarily to control blood sugar levels for type two diabetes. About
Researchers Identify Kidney Disease as a Sudden Cardiac Death Risk Factor
At Japan’s Fujita University, researchers reported to Inside Precision Medicine that a new risk measurement may add a layer of accuracy in predicting sudden cardiac
