Chronic Kidney Disease

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic kidney disease happens when your kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste and extra fluid from your blood. Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that work like your body's cleaning system. When they stop working properly, waste products and toxins can build up in your bloodstream.

This condition develops slowly over months or years. Early stages often show no symptoms at all. That makes regular blood testing essential for catching problems before they become serious. Most people with early kidney disease feel completely fine.

Your kidneys do more than just filter waste. They also balance minerals in your blood, make hormones that control blood pressure, and help your body produce red blood cells. When kidney function drops, all of these jobs become harder for your body to do.

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Symptoms

Fatigue and low energy levels
Difficulty concentrating or brain fog
Trouble sleeping at night
Decreased appetite or nausea
Swelling in ankles, feet, or hands
Dry, itchy skin
Muscle cramps, especially at night
Frequent urination, particularly at night
Foamy or bubbly urine
Puffiness around the eyes

Many people have no symptoms in the early stages of chronic kidney disease. By the time symptoms appear, kidney damage may already be significant. This is why blood testing is the best way to catch kidney problems early.

Causes and risk factors

Diabetes and high blood pressure cause most cases of chronic kidney disease. High blood sugar from diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys over time. High blood pressure puts extra strain on these delicate filtering units. Both conditions make your kidneys work harder than they should.

Other risk factors include family history of kidney disease, age over 60, heart disease, obesity, and smoking. Some autoimmune diseases and repeated urinary tract infections can also damage kidneys. Certain medications, when used long-term, may harm kidney function. African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans face higher risk than other groups.

How it's diagnosed

Blood tests are the primary way doctors diagnose chronic kidney disease. A creatinine test measures waste buildup in your blood. The eGFR calculation, which uses your creatinine level along with age and sex, shows how well your kidneys are filtering. An eGFR below 60 for three months or more indicates kidney disease. BUN tests measure urea nitrogen, another waste product that builds up when kidneys fail.

Rite Aid offers testing for kidney function markers at over 2,000 Quest Diagnostics locations nationwide. Our panel includes creatinine, eGFR, BUN, and other biomarkers like cystatin C and SDMA that detect early kidney changes. Urine tests check for protein or blood that shouldn't be there. Your doctor may also order imaging tests like ultrasounds to look at kidney size and structure.

Treatment options

Control blood sugar levels if you have diabetes through diet, exercise, and medication
Manage blood pressure with lifestyle changes and medications like ACE inhibitors or ARBs
Follow a kidney-friendly diet lower in sodium, phosphorus, and potassium
Limit protein intake to reduce kidney workload, but don't eliminate it completely
Stay hydrated with appropriate fluid intake based on your kidney function stage
Exercise regularly to maintain healthy weight and blood pressure
Quit smoking to protect remaining kidney function
Avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen that can further damage kidneys
Take prescribed medications like phosphate binders or vitamin D supplements
Work with a nephrologist, a kidney specialist, for advanced stages

Frequently asked questions

Acute kidney injury happens suddenly, often from dehydration, infection, or medication reactions. Chronic kidney disease develops slowly over months or years and usually cannot be reversed. Acute injury may heal completely with treatment. Chronic disease requires ongoing management to slow progression.

Most chronic kidney disease cannot be fully reversed, especially in later stages. Early detection and treatment can slow or even stop progression in some cases. Managing underlying causes like diabetes and high blood pressure is essential. Lifestyle changes and medication can help preserve remaining kidney function.

People with diabetes or high blood pressure should test kidney function at least once a year. Those with existing kidney disease may need testing every three to six months. Your doctor will recommend a schedule based on your risk factors and current kidney function. Regular monitoring helps catch changes before they become serious.

eGFR stands for estimated glomerular filtration rate. It measures how much blood your kidneys filter each minute. Normal eGFR is 90 or higher. An eGFR below 60 for three months or more indicates kidney disease. Lower numbers mean worse kidney function.

Limit foods high in sodium like processed meats, canned soups, and salty snacks. Reduce phosphorus from dairy products, nuts, and dark sodas. Watch potassium intake from bananas, oranges, tomatoes, and potatoes. Your specific restrictions depend on your kidney function stage and blood test results.

Not everyone with chronic kidney disease needs dialysis. Only about 2% of people with kidney disease progress to kidney failure requiring dialysis. Early detection and treatment can prevent or delay this outcome. Dialysis becomes necessary when kidneys can no longer filter waste effectively, usually at very low eGFR levels.

Long-term use of certain medications can contribute to kidney damage. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen are common culprits. Some antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, and contrast dyes used in imaging can harm kidneys. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.

Healthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin that signals your body to produce red blood cells. Damaged kidneys produce less of this hormone. This leads to fewer red blood cells and anemia. Blood tests for hemoglobin and hematocrit help detect this common complication.

Damaged kidneys struggle to balance minerals like calcium and phosphorus in your blood. They also have trouble activating vitamin D, which is needed for strong bones. These imbalances lead to weak bones and increased fracture risk. Blood tests for phosphate and vitamin D help monitor these issues.

Some types of kidney disease run in families, including polycystic kidney disease. Having a family member with kidney disease increases your risk. Genetic factors can also make you more susceptible to conditions like diabetes that cause kidney damage. Tell your doctor if kidney disease runs in your family.