Chronic Kidney Disease: The Basics
You've been told that you have chronic kidney disease (CKD). What does that mean? And what does it mean for your health and your life? This booklet will help answer some of the questions you might have.
You have two kidneys, each about the size of your fist. Their main job is to filter wastes and excess water out of your blood to make urine. They also keep the body's chemical balance, help control blood pressure, and make hormones.
CKD means that your kidneys are damaged and can't filter blood like they should. This damage can cause wastes to build up in your body. It can also cause other problems that can harm your health.
CKD is often a "progressive" disease, which means it can get worse over time. CKD may lead to kidney failure. If your kidneys fail, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain health.
You can take steps to keep your kidneys healthier longer:
Chances are, you feel normal and were surprised to hear that you have CKD. It is called a "silent" disease, because many people don't have any symptoms until their kidneys are about to fail. The only way to know is to get your kidneys checked with blood and urine tests.
1. A blood test checks your GFR, which tells how well your kidneys are filtering. GFR stands for glomerular filtration rate.
2. A urine test checks for albumin. Albumin is a protein that can pass into the urine when the kidneys are damaged. See picture below.
These two tests are used to monitor CKD and make sure that treatment is working. See CKD: Tracking My Test Results.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of CKD.
Your provider will look at your health history and may do other tests. You need to know why you have CKD, so your treatment can address the cause of the CKD.
People with CKD often take medicines to lower blood pressure, control blood glucose, and lower blood cholesterol. Two types of blood pressure medicinesACE inhibitors and ARBsmay slow CKD and delay kidney failure, even in people who don't have high blood pressure. Many people need to take two or more medicines for their blood pressure. They also may need to take a diuretic (water pill). The goal is to keep your blood pressure at the level set by your health care provider.
Some medicines are not safe for people with CKD. Other medicines need to be taken in smaller doses. Tell your provider about all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines (those you get without a prescription), vitamins, and supplements.
People with CKD often have high blood pressure. They can also develop anemia (low number of red blood cells), bone disease, malnutrition, and heart and blood vessel diseases.
The blood and urine tests used to check for CKD are also used to monitor CKD. You need to keep track of your test results to see how you're doing.
Track your blood pressure.
If you have diabetes, monitor your blood glucose and keep it in your target range. Like high blood pressure, high blood glucose can be harmful to your kidneys. See CKD: Tracking My Test Results.
Some people live with CKD for years without going on dialysis. Others progress quickly to kidney failure. You may delay dialysis if you follow your provider's advice on medicine, diet, and lifestyle changes.
If your kidneys fail, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain health. Most people with kidney failure are treated with dialysis.
Some people with kidney failure may be able to receive a kidney transplant. The donated kidney can come from someone you don't know who has recently died, or from a living persona relative, spouse, or friend. A kidney transplant isn't for everyone. You may have a condition that makes the transplant surgery dangerous or not likely to succeed.
People with CKD can and should continue to live their lives in a normal way: working, enjoying friends and family, and staying active. They also need to make some changes as explained here.
What you eat may help to slow down CKD and keep your body healthier. Some points to keep in mind:
Your provider may refer you to a dietitian. Your dietitian will teach you how to choose foods that are easier on your kidneys. You will also learn about the nutrients that matter for CKD.
Cigarette smoking can make kidney damage worse.Take steps to quit smoking as soon as you can.
You are the most important person on your health care team. Know your test results and track them over time to see how your kidneys are doing. Bring this table to your health care visits and ask your provider to complete it.
GFR The GFR tells you how well your kidneys are filtering blood. You can't raise your GFR. The goal is to keep your GFR from going down to prevent or delay kidney failure. See the dial picture below.
Urine albumin Albumin is a protein in your blood that can pass into the urine when kidneys are damaged. You can't undo kidney damage, but you may be able to lower the amount of albumin in your urine with treatment. Lowering your urine albumin is good for your kidneys.
Blood pressure The most important thing you can do to slow down CKD is keep your blood pressure at the level set by your health care provider. This can delay or prevent kidney failure.
A1C A1C test is a lab test that shows your average blood glucose level over the last 3 months. Lowering your A1C can help you to stay healthy. (For people with diabetes only.)
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Chronic Kidney Disease: What Does it Mean for Me ...