What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
Chronic Kidney Disease, or CKD, is a long-term health condition where the kidneys progressively lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. Eventually, it leads to the accumulation of toxins in the body and causes several health problems. CKD progresses through five stages, with kidney function gradually worsening from mild impairment in the early stages to total kidney failure in the last stage, which is known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The patients at this stage must undergo dialysis or receive a kidney transplant to remain healthy.
Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease
CKD symptoms are usually not apparent in the initial stages, but as the disease advances, several symptoms commonly occur:
Fatigue: As the kidneys lose their function, waste materials build up in the blood, leading to tiredness and a lack of energy.
Swelling (Edema): Fluid retention is common among patients with poor kidney functions and can be seen in the feet, ankles, legs, and sometimes in the eyes.
Changes in Urine: CKD may lead to urine color changes, urine that is more frequent or less frequent. Urine could appear darker, frothy, or bubbly, and patients may notice increased or decreased urination.
Hypertension: The kidneys cannot control the blood pressure well because they are destroyed. Thus, there will be hypertension that negatively affects the kidneys.
Loss of Appetite: There will be nausea and an unpalatable taste in the mouth due to the build-up of toxins thus loss of appetite.
Muscle Cramps: The imbalances of the electrolytes resulting from the poor filtration by the damaged kidneys often cause muscle cramps in the legs.
Sleep Disturbances: Waste and fluid buildup can interfere with normal sleep, which may present as nocturia or sleep apnea.
Risk Factors and Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease is primarily a result of underlying disease or other risk factors. Some of the most frequent causes and risk factors are:
Diabetes: The long-term high sugar in the blood leads to damage of the kidney blood vessels, and as such, diabetes is the main cause of CKD.
High Blood Pressure: Uncontrolled high blood pressure leads to stress and damage on the blood vessels of kidneys that lead to impairment of its functioning.
Heart Disease: It is due to the fact that diseases related to the heart affect the renal systems.
Family History of CKD: Those who may be having hereditary background also get affected from CKD.
Aging: As people age, they lose a fraction of efficiency, which gradually makes the probability of being a CKD patient
Autoimmune Disorders: A lupus and similar disease, which in the long term, makes kidneys inflamed and also causes CKD.
Obesity: Overweighting stresses the kidneys and, in turn, makes a patient more susceptible to CKD.
Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention
Most forms of CKD cannot be prevented. However, following a healthy lifestyle can greatly reduce the probability. These are some ways of keeping fit for the health of one’s kidneys:
Health Check-ups: Frequently visit your physician for any kidney functions, blood pressure, and sugar levels testing that will point out a potential early warning sign of CKD.
Hydrate themselves. Drink enough water; this helps to flush away the toxins from the body. Maintain a Balanced Diet Limit salt, processed food, and high sugar-based products to avoid exertion on the kidneys. Be Regularly Active: An activity that ensures a well-kept weight, the best possible blood pressure, and the ideal level of glucose in the blood. Giving up Smoking and High Amounts of Alcohol Consumption Smoking also destroys the kidneys and creates potential risks for CKD. Too much alcohol has effects just like smoking.
Avoid NSAID Overuse: The use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen over time can overwork the kidneys; if possible, use alternative agents.
By making these lifestyle changes, people can prevent their kidneys from damage and thus lower the risk of developing CKD.