Kidney disease

What is Kidney disease?

Kidney disease happens when your kidneys become damaged and cannot filter waste and excess fluid from your blood properly. Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that clean about 120 to 150 quarts of blood each day. When they stop working well, toxins build up in your body and can make you very sick.

Chronic kidney disease develops slowly over months or years. Early stages often show no symptoms at all. As kidney function declines, waste products accumulate in your blood and your body struggles to maintain the right balance of minerals and fluids. Without treatment, kidney disease can progress to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a transplant to survive.

About 37 million American adults have chronic kidney disease, but most do not know it. Regular blood testing is the best way to catch kidney problems early, when lifestyle changes and medication can slow or stop the damage. Early detection gives your kidneys the best chance to heal or maintain function.

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Symptoms

Fatigue and feeling weak or tired all the time
Swelling in your ankles, feet, hands, or face
Foamy or bubbly urine that indicates protein loss
Changes in how often you urinate, especially at night
Blood in your urine or dark-colored urine
Difficulty concentrating or brain fog
Poor appetite or metallic taste in your mouth
Muscle cramps, especially in your legs
Dry, itchy skin that does not improve with lotion
Shortness of breath from fluid buildup

Many people with early kidney disease have no symptoms at all. Damage can happen silently for years before you feel anything wrong. This is why regular blood testing is so important, especially if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.

Causes and risk factors

Diabetes and high blood pressure cause about two-thirds of all kidney disease cases. High blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys over time. High blood pressure puts extra strain on the delicate filtering units. Other causes include autoimmune diseases, infections, kidney stones, prolonged use of certain medications like lithium or NSAIDs, and genetic conditions like polycystic kidney disease.

Risk factors include being over age 60, having a family history of kidney disease, smoking, obesity, and heart disease. African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans face higher rates of kidney disease. Repeated urinary tract infections and exposure to toxins can also damage your kidneys over time. The good news is that many risk factors can be managed through lifestyle changes and proper medical care.

How it's diagnosed

Kidney disease is diagnosed through blood and urine tests that measure how well your kidneys filter waste. Blood tests check creatinine and urea nitrogen levels, which rise when kidneys are not working properly. Your doctor calculates your estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR, which shows what percentage of kidney function you have left. Values below 60 indicate kidney disease. Other important markers include albumin, protein levels, calcium, magnesium, and electrolyte balance.

Rite Aid offers comprehensive blood testing that screens for kidney disease through our flagship panel. We measure creatinine, BUN, BUN to creatinine ratio, albumin, total protein, calcium, magnesium, and other key markers. Testing twice per year helps you catch problems early and track your kidney function over time. If results show concerns, your doctor may order additional imaging or a kidney biopsy.

Treatment options

Control blood sugar if you have diabetes through diet, exercise, and medication
Lower blood pressure to protect your kidneys, often with ACE inhibitors or ARBs
Reduce protein intake to ease the workload on your kidneys
Limit sodium to less than 2,300 mg per day to control blood pressure and swelling
Stay hydrated but follow your doctor's fluid recommendations if you have advanced disease
Exercise regularly to improve circulation and overall health
Quit smoking to prevent further kidney damage
Avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen that can harm kidneys
Take medications as prescribed, including phosphate binders or potassium binders if needed
Work with a kidney specialist, or nephrologist, for stages 3 through 5

Frequently asked questions

Early kidney disease usually has no symptoms at all. As damage progresses, you may notice fatigue, swelling in your ankles or feet, changes in urination, or foamy urine. Many people only discover kidney disease through routine blood tests. This is why regular screening is so important, especially if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.

Blood tests measuring creatinine and urea nitrogen levels show how well your kidneys filter waste. Your doctor calculates an eGFR number that represents your kidney function percentage. Values below 60 indicate kidney disease, while values below 15 mean kidney failure. Regular testing helps catch declining function before you reach failure stage.

Early stage kidney disease can sometimes be reversed with aggressive treatment of the underlying cause. Managing diabetes, lowering blood pressure, losing weight, and making dietary changes can restore some function. Once kidneys are severely damaged, the focus shifts to slowing progression and preventing further decline. Catching problems early through blood testing gives you the best chance of recovery.

Limit sodium to protect blood pressure and reduce swelling. Reduce foods high in potassium like bananas, oranges, and potatoes if your levels are elevated. Cut back on phosphorus found in dairy, beans, and processed foods. Moderate your protein intake based on your stage of disease. A kidney-friendly diet helps reduce the workload on your damaged kidneys.

If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, get tested at least once per year. People with existing kidney disease should test every 3 to 6 months to monitor progression. Rite Aid offers twice-yearly testing that tracks your kidney function over time. Regular monitoring helps you and your doctor adjust treatment before problems worsen.

NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen can harm kidneys with regular use. Some antibiotics, antiviral drugs, and contrast dyes used in imaging tests pose risks. Long-term lithium use can cause kidney damage. Proton pump inhibitors taken for years may increase risk. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take so they can protect your kidney health.

Most people with kidney disease never need dialysis. Only about 2% of those with chronic kidney disease progress to kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant. Early detection and proper management can slow or stop disease progression. Controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and making lifestyle changes help you avoid dialysis.

Acute kidney injury happens suddenly over hours or days, often from severe infection, injury, or medication reactions. It can often be reversed with prompt treatment. Chronic kidney disease develops slowly over months or years and usually cannot be cured. However, chronic disease can be managed and slowed with lifestyle changes and medication.

Yes, kidney disease can be inherited. Conditions like polycystic kidney disease pass directly from parents to children. Having a family history of kidney disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure increases your risk. If kidney disease runs in your family, start screening early and focus on prevention through healthy lifestyle choices.

Regular exercise helps protect kidney function by controlling blood sugar, lowering blood pressure, and reducing inflammation. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week. Walking, swimming, and cycling are excellent choices. Exercise also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which reduces strain on your kidneys. Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.