What is Kidney Disease?
Explore this section to learn more about chronic kidney disease (CKD). You will find that CKD, which can happen at any age, can have both common and rare causes. Learn about the symptoms, some of which may not show up until a later stage of the disease.
Contents:
1. What is Kidney Disease? 2. Symptoms 3. Stages 4. Causes 5. Diagnosis 6. Pediatric Kidney Disease
Role of Kidneys
Kidneys are very important organs that have many jobs. They not only remove extra fluids and waste products, but they also help to regulate blood pressure, balance chemicals, maintain bone health, and keep us from becoming anemic.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Nephrons
Nephron
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when kidney nephrons are damaged. Each kidney has about a million tiny filters called nephrons. A nephron is made up of a glomerulus and tubules. The nephrons filter blood. When they become damaged, the kidney becomes less efficient. Over time, as fewer nephrons are available to clean the blood, the kidneys are diseased and less able to keep the body healthy.
Silent Killer
Like diabetes and high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease is called a “silent killer” because there are few symptoms and by the time individuals realize they have a problem, much damage has already been done.
A blood or urine test can tell you how well your kidneys are functioning.
However, there are two tests that can tell you how well your kidneys are functioning. They may be included in the your annual physical evaluation, or you can ask your physician to do them. One is a urine test called ACR (albumin-to-creatinine ratio), which tells how much protein is in your urine. Usually protein is in the blood, and when it is in the urine, it may be a sign of early kidney disease.
The other is a blood test and it tells how much creatinine, a waste product that comes from muscle tissue, is in your blood. From that test, your GFR (glomerular filtration rate) can be estimated which includes your age, race, and sex.
As your kidney function declines, waste products and excess fluid build up in the blood and can make you feel sick.
Related Information
New Resources for Teens
These booklets were developed for tweens and teens who learn their kidneys are not working and they will need dialysis or a transplant. The booklets provide a brief overview of coping with kidney disease, being [...]
5 Ways to Improve Your Heart Health
If you worry that you or someone you love will get heart disease or even have a heart attack, it’s understandable. February is American Heart Month, and heart disease is the leading cause of death [...]
Survey: Seeking Advice from Parents of Children with Kidney Disease
The DPC Education Center is developing an online program to serve as a resource for parents of children with kidney disease. In order for this program to be successful, we need the guidance of parents [...]
November is National Diabetes Month
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. One in 10 Americans have diabetes — that’s more than 30 million people. And another 84 million adults in the [...]
Treatments and Modality Options for Kidney Disease
During this webinar you will learn: 1) how kidneys work, 2) about chronic kidney disease stages and symptoms, 3) how to slow progression, 4) end stage options for treatment and 5) about accesses. About the [...]
Resources for People with Diabetes and Kidney Disease
If you missed last week's webinar on diabetes and kidney disease, the recording is now available. In addition, below is a handout to accompany the presentation. Herbs Some of these articles provide information about [...]
English
العربية
简体中文
Nederlands
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
Bahasa Melayu
Português
Русский
Español