Chronic Kidney Diseases
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is when your kidneys have trouble doing their job over a long time. This can lead to waste buildup in your body, high blood pressure, and other problems. Treatment involves managing symptoms and preventing further kidney damage through medication, diet, and lifestyle changes.
Risk factors for chronic kidney disease include:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Family history of kidney disease
- Aging
- Certain medication
Symptoms of chronic kidney disease may include:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Swelling in the ankles, feet, or around the eyes
- Difficulty concentrating
- Decreased appetite
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Blood in the urine
- Foamy or bubbly urine
- Persistent itching
- Muscle cramps
- High blood pressure
Diagnosis:
- Blood tests to check kidney function and levels of waste products like creatinine and urea.
- Urine tests to check for protein, blood, or other abnormalities.
- Imaging tests like ultrasound or CT scan to visualize the kidneys and urinary tract.
- Kidney biopsy in some cases to examine kidney tissue for signs of damage or disease.
Treatment:
- Medications to control blood pressure and manage underlying conditions like diabetes.
- Medications to lower cholesterol levels.
- Medications to manage complications like anemia or bone disease.
- Dietary changes to reduce protein, sodium, and potassium intake.
- Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly.
- Dialysis or kidney transplant in advanced stages of CKD when kidney function is severely impaired.