CKD, Chronic Kidney Disease, Overview, Common Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Management

CKD stands for Chronic Kidney Disease — a long-term, progressive loss of kidney function over months or years.

Overview

• Definition: A condition in which the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste, excess fluid, and toxins from the blood.

• Progression: Usually irreversible; can lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.

• Stages: Classified from Stage 1 (mild) to Stage 5 (kidney failure), based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Common Causes

1. Diabetes mellitus (most common)

2. Hypertension

3. Glomerulonephritis

4. Polycystic kidney disease

5. Long-term obstruction (kidney stones, enlarged prostate)

6. Recurrent kidney infections

Symptoms

Early stages may have no symptoms. As it progresses:

• Fatigue, weakness

• Swelling in legs, ankles, feet (edema)

• Decreased urine output

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea, vomiting

• Persistent itching

• Muscle cramps

Diagnosis

• Blood tests: Serum creatinine, eGFR

• Urine tests: Proteinuria (albumin in urine)

• Imaging: Ultrasound, CT, MRI

• Kidney biopsy: In selected cases

Management

There’s no complete cure, but treatment can slow progression:

• Control blood pressure (ACE inhibitors, ARBs)

• Control blood sugar (in diabetics)

• Low-salt, kidney-friendly diet

• Avoid nephrotoxic drugs (NSAIDs, some antibiotics)

• Manage anemia & bone health

• Dialysis or transplant in ESRD