Your kidneys carry out so many important tasks. They include the
removal of toxins and waste products and regulation of fluids in the body.
Needless to say, having kidneys that are no longer working optimally can lead
to a host of serious health problems.
In this article, you will learn about what doctors are referring
to as chronic kidney disease. Just about anybody could end up with it one day,
so make sure that you repost this article on your different social media sites
to get everyone you love get acquainted with it, too.
What It Is
Also sometimes referred to as chronic renal disease, chronic
kidney disease is a condition that is characterized by the loss of function of
the kidneys over a period of time. Health authorities confirm that about 30
million adult Americans are suffering from chronic kidney disease. They add
that millions more are undiagnosed and at high risk of suffering from it.
If left untreated, chronic kidney disease may lead to what’s
known as kidney failure. Just like what the name says, it is marked by the
kidneys’ inability to perform the various tasks delegated to it.
However, it can take a long time before chronic kidney disease
can progress to kidney failure, and that’s why early detection and effective
treatment can keep it from striking.
Signs and Symptoms
At the outset or during the early stages, chronic kidney disease
does not really cause any sign or symptom. However, some individuals who are
unknowingly suffering from it may encounter some or all of the following:
·
Eye
puffiness especially in the morning
·
Swelling
of the ankles and feet
·
Muscle
cramping in bed
·
Inability
to get a good night’s sleep
·
Constant
urge to urinate especially during bedtime
·
Loss
of appetite
·
Fatigue
·
Poor
concentration
·
Skin
itchiness and dryness
Many of the sign and symptoms of chronic kidney disease
mentioned above are due to the accumulation of excess fluids, toxins and waste
products in the body as the kidneys are no longer doing their job properly.
Risk Factors
According to doctors, anyone at any age may suffer from chronic
kidney disease. However, some people are regarded as at higher risk of having
it one day. Some of them include:
·
Individuals
who are suffering from diabetes
·
People
with hypertension or high blood pressure
·
Those
who have family histories of chronic kidney disease
·
Older
individuals
·
Anyone
who belongs to a certain group of people like Hispanic Americans, African
Americans, American Indians, Asians and Pacific Islanders
Certain diseases, illnesses and conditions are known to cause
chronic kidney disease, too. Some of them include repeated urinary tract
infections, lupus and others that have something to do with the immune system,
glomerulonephritis and inherited conditions such as polycystic kidney disease.
Various Complications
Earlier, it was mentioned that chronic kidney disease in the
long run can lead to kidney failure. However, before that happens so many other
health problems may strike. Health authorities say that untreated or
uncontrolled chronic kidney disease may cause nerve damage, anemia and high
blood pressure which is also something that can be the reason for the
development of chronic kidney disease.
Experts confirm that someone who is suffering from chronic
kidney disease is also at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Diagnosis
The best way to determine whether or not a person is suffering
from chronic kidney disease is via a laboratory test called glomerular
filtration rate of GFR. Such helps establish the level of kidney function as
well as the stage of chronic kidney disease.
Generally speaking, the earlier the disease is detected, the
better the chance of slowing down or even stopping its progression.
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