What Is Chronic Kidney Disease?

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Neglect and lack of proper maintenance of an object can worsen its shape. This applies to both living and non-living things, and in this context, especially Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). While it may be prevalent among the elders, CKD is often overlooked due to its unnoticeable symptoms. 

The causes, symptoms, stages, and treatment

s of chronic kidney disease are examined in this article, along with how the disease primarily impacts the elderly.

Table of contents

  • What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
  • Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease
  • How does it affect the elderly?
  • Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Treatments for Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Preventing and Managing Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Conclusion
  • Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

A long-term kidney condition that gradually impairs kidney function is named as Chronic kidney disease (CKD), also known as Chronic kidney failure. The kidneys play a huge role in managing the human body and carrying out important tasks such as:

  • Eliminating excess water and natural waste from your body.
  • Assisting in the production of red blood cells.
  • Assisting with blood pressure maintenance.
  • Maintaining the health of your bones.
  • Maintaining proper mineral balance in your body.

Kidneys filter wastes and excess fluid from the blood, which is then passed and released through our body as urine. If kidneys are affected, it then affects the process of waste removal along with the other above-cited processes. This creates a build-up of waste in the body, damaging other parts of the body. 

Chronic kidney failure poses a threat to the well-being of a person and can lead to dire consequences. 

Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) occurs when a disease has affected the kidneys and has been left untreated for too long. Not taking proper steps to treat the kidneys worsen its function and affect other parts of the body to fail in its tasks too. 

Chronic kidney disease is a consequence of existing health problems in a body and due to neglect of the worsening kidneys. Let’s look at some of the maladies that can lead to Chronic kidney disease:

  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes type 1 or type 2
  • Inherited kidney diseases (Polycystic kidney disease, etc.)
  • Pyelonephritis (One or both kidneys get infected)
  • Glomerulonephritis (Inflammation of the kidneys’ filtering units)
  • Interstitial nephritis (Inflammation of the kidneys’ tubules & surrounding structures)
  • Vesicoureteral (Causes urine to back up into the kidneys)
  • Enlarged prostate, kidney stones, cancer, etc.

Factors that can increase the risk or worsen the condition of Chronic kidney disease are:

  • Smoking, drinking, drug abuse
  • Abnormal kidney structure
  • Obesity
  • Medications that are harmful to kidneys
  • Family history
  • Old age

How does it affect the elderly?

As mentioned previously, old age is an influential factor in developing Chronic kidney disease. Studies confirm that people over the age of 60 are more at risk of CKD than the rest of the population. The obvious reason is ageing. As the human body ages, so do the kidneys. This can wear out the kidneys and can lead to improper functioning of the organ. 

Elderly people are also prone to heart conditions, diabetes, obesity and such, which then can possibly lead to Chronic kidney disease. It is crucial to take care of an aged person’s body and make sure it doesn’t progress to an even worse situation. 

Regular check-ups and discipline helps the person to keep the problem at bay but first people need to check for symptoms early on as late diagnosis needs to be prevented. 

Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease

Symptoms start to show up as neglect of an existing disease progresses longer and is not treated at the proper time. Catching onto the symptoms early is essential to cure the disease without major setbacks. To help you recognize and treat CKD before it becomes worse, below are a few of its symptoms:

  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite 
  • Less or more urination
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Itchy & dry skin
  • Hypertension/High blood pressure
  • Severe weight loss
  • Breathing difficulties (Buildup of fluid in lungs)
  • Chest pain (Buildup of fluid around the heart’s lining)
  • Insomnia
  • Inflammation around ankles & feet
  • Muscle cramps

Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease

CKD is evaluated using tests to get a more clear picture of the kidneys’ health. Two straightforward tests are used to assess CKD: the urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) and the blood test known as the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). These tests typically need to be repeated to confirm long-term damage (lasting three months or more) for determining your CKD stage.

Chronic kidney disease is primarily divided into 6 stages to make sure there is proper treatment based on the level of its seriousness. They are divided into stages 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4 and 5. 

Stage 1

  • eGFR – 90 or higher
  • uACR – 30 or higher
  • It is accompanied by kidney damage.

Stage 2

  • eGFR – 60-89
  • uACR – 30 or higher
  • It is accompanied by kidney damage.

Stage 3a

  • eGFR – 45-59
  • Mild-moderate loss of kidney function

Stage 3b

  • eGFR – 30-44
  • Moderate-severe loss of kidney function

Stage 4

  • eGFR – 15-29
  • Severe loss of kidney function

Stage 5

  • eGFR – 15 or lower
  • Kidney failure

It is to be noted that you may have Chronic kidney disease if your eGFR is less than 60 and/or your uACR is more than 30 for three months or longer. Once such results are obtained, it is highly recommended that treatment be initiated. 

Treatments for Chronic Kidney Disease

Although there is no known cure for chronic kidney disease, repercussions can be avoided and the condition cannot worsen. Chronic kidney disease is diagnosed and treated based on the stage of its seriousness. The causes and complications that lead to kidney damage are first treated, and if the CKD worsens it is treated as an end-stage kidney disease. Here are the most prescribed medications for Chronic kidney disease:

  • Medications to treat swelling 

Diuretics are medications that assist keep your body’s fluid balance in check.

  • Medications to treat anemia 

Erythropoietin (pronounced “uh-rith-roe-POI-uh-tin”) supplements, sometimes combined with extra iron, aid in the production of red blood cells. 

  • Medications to treat cholesterol levels

Statin is a drug that is highly recommended to lower cholesterol levels.

  • Medications to treat bones

To reduce the level of phosphate in your blood and shield your blood vessels from calcium deposits, you may also take a drug called a phosphate binder (calcification).

  • Medications to treat hypertension

Drugs to protect kidney function and lower blood pressure, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, are extremely helpful. A low-salt diet and a diuretic tablet are also advised.

Other than medications, it is recommended that a CKD patient follows a low-protein diet, which can help minimize the waste products in the blood. Doctors usually conduct regular check-ups to monitor the progress of CKD and null its complications. Though if it worsens and reaches the end-stage kidney disease, a dialysis or a kidney transplant is directed.

Preventing and Managing Chronic Kidney Disease

To lead a healthy life with healthy kidneys, it is a must to take care of one’s body and prevent the outcome of such diseases. While clinical treatments will be administered, there are certain remedies that a person can try on their own to prevent or manage CKD. The following practices can help a person to overcome the difficulties of bearing a Chronic kidney disease:

  • Exercising regularly and being active.
  • Quitting substance abuse (alcohol, smoking, drugs).
  • Eat a balanced diet.
  • Intake of foods with low salt quantity.
  • Eating more fruits and vegetables.

Conclusion

Chronic kidney disease can have severe consequences on the well-being of a person. Treating chronic kidney disease from the ground up is essential to preventing future complications. By identifying and treating chronic kidney disease (CKD), seniors can live longer and more comfortably. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the life expectancy for people diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease?

People who have reached end-stage kidney disease and are receiving dialysis are expected to live around 5-10 years, but many have lived up to 20-30 years.

2. Can Chronic Kidney Disease be cured?

As mentioned in the article, CKD cannot be cured, though it can be relieved through continued treatments. 

3. Is it possible to lead a normal life with Chronic Kidney Disease?

Though there may be irreversible damage to the kidneys, it is fully possible to lead long lives without being highly affected by the disease.

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