Chronic Kidney Disease Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Chronic kidney disease, or chronic kidney disease (CKD), is a condition of gradual decline in kidney function.
The kidneys themselves function to filter waste products and excess fluids from the body, which are then excreted through urine.
Although in the early stages, there are not too many symptoms that may arise, when chronic kidney disease reaches a fairly advanced stage, fluid, electrolyte, and waste product buildup can occur in the body.
| Medical specialist | Internal medicine specialist |
| Symptoms | Nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, fatigue, sleep disturbance, change in urinary frequency, decreased concentration, muscle cramps, persistent itching, shortness of breath |
| Risk Factors | Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, smoking, obesity, black race, family history, abnormal kidney structure, elderly |
| Diagnosis | History, physical examination, blood test, urine test. Imaging tests, and biopsies |
| Treatment | Treatment based on the underlying cause, medication to protect bones, low protein diet, dialysis or dialysis, kidney transplant |
| Complications | Fluid retention, hyperkalemia, anemia, heart disease, fragile bones, decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, permanent kidney damage |
| Prevention | Treat the underlying disease, avoid smoking, have a healthy diet, engage in regular physical activity |
| When to see a doctor? | If you have signs or symptoms related to kidney disorders such as swelling that is quite extensive in several areas of the body and shortness of breath |
Symptoms
The symptoms of chronic kidney failure are not very specific and can be caused by other health conditions.
In addition, because the kidneys are adaptable organs and can compensate when loss of function occurs, symptoms generally do not appear until the disease reaches a more advanced stage.
Here are some signs and symptoms that can occur:
● Nausea
● Vomiting
● Decreased appetite
● Fatigue
● Sleep disorders
● Change in frequency of urination
● Decreased concentration
● Muscle cramps
● Swelling in the feet and ankles
● Persistent itching
● Shortness of breath
The symptoms of chronic kidney failure can increase in intensity over time.
Reason
Chronic kidney disease can be caused by other health conditions that put a strain on the kidneys or the effects of several diseases.
Some health conditions that can cause chronic kidney disease are:
● High blood pressure
Over time, this condition can add to the burden on the kidneys and hinder the normal function of the kidneys.
● Diabetes
The amount of sugar that exceeds normal limits in the blood can cause damage to the filters in the kidneys.
● High cholesterol
High cholesterol can cause the accumulation of fatty deposits in the blood vessels that provide blood supply to the kidneys.
● Kidney infection
● Blockage of urine flow. For example, kidney stones or an enlarged prostate
● Long-term use of certain drugs
Risk Factors
Factors that can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease include:
● Diabetes
● High blood pressure (hypertension)
● Heart disease (cardiovascular)
● Smoking
● Overweight (obesity)
● Black race, such as Native Americans or Asian Americans
● Family history of kidney disease
● Abnormal kidney structure
● Older age (elderly)
● Frequent use of drugs that can damage the kidneys
Diagnosis
As a first step toward diagnosing chronic kidney disease, the doctor will discuss the patient’s and family’s medical history.
For example, doctors ask questions regarding the patient’s diagnosis of high blood pressure, history of drugs that might affect kidney function, and so on
Next, the doctor will perform a physical exam, checking for signs of problems with the heart or blood vessels, as well as a neurological exam.
For the diagnosis of kidney disease, you may also need certain tests and procedures to determine how severe the condition is, such as:
● Blood test
Kidney function tests look for levels of waste products, such as creatinine and urea, in the blood.
● Tes urine
Analyzing a urine sample can detect whether there are abnormalities that lead to chronic kidney failure and help identify the cause of chronic kidney disease.
● Imaging test
The doctor may use ultrasound to assess the structure and size of the patient’s kidneys. Other imaging tests may be used in some cases.
● Take a sample of kidney tissue ( biopsy )
The doctor may recommend a kidney biopsy, which involves taking a sample of kidney tissue.
This method is often done under local anesthesia using a long, thin needle that is inserted through the skin and into the kidney. The biopsy sample is then sent to a lab for testing to help determine what is causing your kidney problem.
Treatment
Treatment of chronic kidney failure is determined based on the underlying cause of this condition.
The goal of treatment is to control signs and symptoms, minimize complications, and slow the progression of the disease.
Several types of treatment for chronic kidney failure are:
1. Handling to deal with swelling
Some people with chronic kidney disease can experience fluid buildup in the legs. Doctors can prescribe medication to help regulate the balance of fluids in the body.
2. Treatment to treat anemia
In special situations, the doctor may suggest taking erythropoietin hormone supplements or iron supplementation.
Erythropoietin can help produce red blood cells in individuals with chronic kidney disease, which can help overcome feelings of weakness and fatigue due to anemia.
3. Medication to treat high blood pressure
Someone with high blood pressure is also advised to take medicines regularly according to doctor’s orders.
4. Treatment to control cholesterol levels
A person with chronic kidney disease can have high cholesterol levels, which can increase the risk of developing heart disease.
5. Treatment to protect the bones
Doctors may recommend calcium or vitamin D supplementation to prevent brittle bones and reduce the risk of fractures.
6. Providing a low-protein diet
A low-protein diet is generally recommended for patients with kidney disorders so that the kidneys don’t work too hard.
When the body processes protein from food, waste products are formed and enter the bloodstream to be filtered through the kidneys.
To reduce the workload of the kidneys, doctors may recommend reducing protein intake in the daily diet.
7. Do Dialysis
The dialysis or dialysis method uses equipment to eliminate waste products and excess fluids from the body when the kidneys are no longer able to carry out their functions. This method is generally performed on individuals with advanced kidney disease.
8. Kidney transplant
Kidney transplantation involves the process of transferring a kidney from a healthy donor to a person with kidney disease.
However, the patient must take the drug for life to prevent the body from showing signs of rejection of the new organ. This method is also performed on individuals with advanced kidney disease.
Prevention
While chronic kidney failure can’t always be prevented, steps can be taken to lower your chances of developing certain health conditions.
Some things you can do to prevent chronic kidney failure, namely:
1. Dealing with the underlying disease
If you have long-term health conditions that can cause chronic kidney disease, such as diabetes and hypertension, it is very important to make sure the disease is controlled, both through lifestyle and regular consumption of drugs.
2. Avoid smoking
Smoking habits increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke, which are associated with a higher risk of chronic kidney disease.
3. Healthy diet
Eating a balanced diet can reduce the risk of kidney disease by controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the body.
Balanced nutrition should include adequate fruit and vegetable intake, carbohydrate foods such as potatoes, bread or rice, dairy products or alternatives, nuts, fish, eggs, meat; as well as limited intake of saturated fat, salt, and sugar.
4. Do regular physical activity
Physical activity can keep blood pressure stable. This can help reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease.
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling or brisk walking, each week.
Complications
Meanwhile, the risk of complications of chronic kidney disease can include:
● Fluid retention (excess), which can cause swelling of the legs and arms, high blood pressure, and accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
● Hyperkalemia or sudden increase in blood potassium levels, which can interfere with heart function and can be life-threatening
● Anemia
● Weak bones and increased risk of fractures
● Heart disease
● Erectile dysfunction, decreased sex drive, or decreased fertility
● Damage to the central nervous system, which can lead to difficulty concentrating, personality changes and seizures
● Decreased immune response, which makes you more susceptible to infection
● Pericarditis, inflammation of the sac-like membrane that covers your heart (pericardium)
● Pregnancy complications that carry risks to the mother and the developing fetus
● Permanent kidney damage (end-stage kidney disease), requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive
When to See a Doctor?
Immediately consult a doctor if you have symptoms related to kidney disorders as mentioned above. Early detection can help prevent kidney disease from developing into kidney failure.
If you have a medical condition that increases your risk of kidney disease, your doctor may monitor your blood pressure and kidney function.