Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is a gradual development of permanent kidney disease that worsens over a number of years. Some of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes, hypertension, glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, lupus and complications from some medications. Your physician will first try to control the condition responsible for your kidney failure and its complications. This may mean medications to control hypertension and diabetes and changes in diet and lifestyle. You will also need treatment for complications of chronic kidney disease such as anemia and weak bones leading to fractures.

Early detection and treatment of the underlying causes of kidney disease helps prevent progression of the condition. Many people may be in the early stages of kidney disease and not have any indication something is wrong. There are certain symptoms, however, that could be a sign you have chronic kidney disease. Diabetes, high blood pressure and/or a family history of kidney disease are signs that you need to take action to keep your kidneys healthy. Chronic kidney disease happens over time, so the sooner you find out you are at risk, the sooner you can take steps to prevent kidney failure.

Chronic kidney disease can lead to kidney failure or end stage kidney disease when kidneys are functioning at less than 10 to 15 percent capacity. At this point, measures to treat chronic kidney failure such as diet and medications to control the underlying cause are no longer enough. The treatment options for chronic kidney disease leading to end stage kidney disease are dialysis and kidney transplantation. You will need to speak with your physician and family to determine which treatment option is best for you.