Health Information : CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

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What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic Kidney Disease also known as chronic kidney failure is a gradual loss of kidney function over a period of several years. Eventually, the kidney fails permanently. CKD often goes undetected and undiagnosed until the disease has reached advanced stage and one realises about the presence of CKD when their kidney function is down to 25% of normal. When CKD reaches its advanced stage, dangerous levels of fluids and waste can build up in your body.

What are the causes of Chronic Kidney Disease?

In majority of the cases, CKD is the result of chronic diseases, such as:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Obstructed urine flow
• Kidney diseases
• Kidney artery stenosis
• Certain toxins like fuels, solvents and lead
• Fetal development problem
• Systemic lupus erythematosis
• Malaria and yellow fever
• Certain medications like NSAIDs
• Illegal substance abuse

What are the symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease?

The signs and symptoms of CKD are noticeable in later stages as the kidney damage progresses slowly and may include:

• Nausea & vomiting
• Fatigue & weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Sleep problems
• Decreased urine output
• Blood in urine or dark urine
• Decreased mental alertness
• Muscle twitches & cramps
• Swollen feet and ankles
• Persistent itching
• Pain in chest
• Shortness of breath
• High blood pressure that is tough to control

How can Chronic Kidney Disease be treated?

• Lifestyle changes
• Medications to control high BP or high cholesterol
• Medications to treat anaemia
• Medications relieve swelling
• Medications to protect your bones Low protein diet

When the above mentioned treatment options fail to produce required results and the kidney working capacity becomes 10-15 % of normal capacity then the patient will have to undergo dialysis or kidney transplant.