Chronic Kidney Disease includes conditions that damage your kidneys and decrease their ability to keep you healthy by filtering wastes from your blood. If kidney disease worsens, wastes can build to high levels in your blood and make you feel sick. You may develop complications like:High blood pressureAnemia (low blood count)Weak bonesPoor nutritional healthNerve damageKidney disease also increases your risk of having heart and blood vessel disease. These problems may happen slowly over a long time. Early detection and treatment can often keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse. When kidney disease progresses, it may eventually lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life.CausesChronic kidney disease is usually caused by other conditions that put a strain on the kidneys. Often it"s the result of a combination of different problems.CKD can be caused by:High blood pressure – over time, this can put a strain on the small blood vessels in the kidneys and stop the kidneys from working properlyDiabetes – too much glucose in your blood can damage the tiny filters in the kidneysHigh cholesterol – this can cause a build-up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels supplying your kidneys, which can make it harder for them to work properlyKidney infectionsKidney inflammationPolycystic kidney disease – an inherited condition where growths called cysts develop in the kidneysBlockages in the flow of urine – for example, from kidney stones that keep coming back, or an enlarged prostateLong-term, regular use of certain medicines – such as lithium and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).embed-container { position: relative padding-bottom: 56.25% height: 0 overflow: hidden max-width: 100% } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute top: 0 left: 0 width: 100% height: 100% }SymptomsSigns and symptoms of chronic kidney disease develop over time if kidney damage progresses slowly. Loss of kidney function can cause a buildup of fluid or body waste or electrolyte problems. Depending on how severe it is, loss of kidney function can cause:NauseaVomitingLoss of appetiteFatigue and weaknessSleep problemsUrinating more or lessDecreased mental sharpnessMuscle crampsSwelling of feet and anklesDry, itchy skinHigh blood pressure (hypertension) that"s difficult to controlShortness of breath, if fluid builds up in the lungsChest pain, if fluid builds up around the lining of the heartRisk FactorsA number of factors can increase the risk of developing CKD, including:Diabetes mellitusHigh blood pressureA family history of kidney diseaseAfrican-American and other ethnic minoritiesObesitySmokingOlder ageHaving protein in the urineHaving autoimmune diseases such as lupusDiagnosisAs a first step toward diagnosis of kidney disease, your doctor discusses your personal and family history with you. Among other things, your doctor might ask questions about whether you"ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, if you"ve taken a medication that might affect kidney function, if you"ve noticed changes in your urinary habits and whether you have family members who have kidney disease. Next, your doctor performs a physical exam, checking for signs of problems with your heart or blood vessels, and conducts a neurological exam. For kidney disease diagnosis, you might also need certain tests and procedures to determine how severe your kidney disease is (stage). Tests might include:Blood tests: Kidney function tests look for the level of waste products, such as creatinine and urea, in your blood.Urine tests: Analyzing a sample of your urine can reveal abnormalities that point to chronic kidney failure and help identify the cause of chronic kidney disease.Imaging tests: Your doctor might use ultrasound to assess your kidneys" structure and size. Other imaging tests might be used in some cases.Removing a sample of kidney tissue for testing: Your doctor might recommend a kidney biopsy, which involves removing a sample of kidney tissue. Kidney biopsy is often done with local anesthesia using a long, thin needle that"s inserted through your skin and into your kidney. The biopsy sample is sent to a lab for testing to help determine what"s causing your kidney problem.Management of Patients with CKDYour treatment will depend on how severe your condition is.The main treatments are:Lifestyle changes to help you remain as healthy as possibleMedicine to control associated problems such as high blood pressure and high cholesterolDialysis – treatment to replicate some of the kidney"s functions this may be necessary in advanced CKDKidney transplant – this may also be necessary in advanced CKDYou"ll also be advised to have regular check-ups to monitor your condition.The pages slugged ‘Brand Connect’ are equivalent to advertisements and are not written and produced by Forbes India journalists.
