What is Chronic Kidney Disease and its Stages?

Introduction

Kidneys play an imperative role in our overall well-being, purifying toxins and waste and maintaining fluid balance. Now, kidney disease means that your kidneys aren't performing properly and are starting to lose function. One of the growing kidney diseases is Chronic Kidney Disease, which is affecting millions of people globally. In India, the prevalence of CKD is alarming, accounting for around 17.2% of the population. In its early phases, this silent epidemic is often undetectable and needs attention.

Let's study the importance of kidneys, the severity of Chronic Kidney Disease, and the millions of people it affects to shed light on a situation that needs our knowledge and prompt attention.

Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic renal disease damages your kidneys and affects their function. When your kidneys slowly weaken, it's called chronic kidney disease. There are five stages of chronic kidney disease, depending on how well your kidneys filter waste from your blood. Tests on your blood and urine may show what stage of CKD you are in. The stage of kidney function is determined by GFR – glomerular filtration rate. Now, this GFR is a count based on the amount of waste in the blood.

Stage 1: A mild decline in kidney function

So, when you undergo the standard urine or blood tests, it will indicate even the slightest damage to your kidneys. It is the early or the primary stage of Chronic Kidney Disease. While no evident symptoms may occur at first, detecting CKD in the earliest phase provides a vital chance to prevent further damage to kidney functions.

Some possible signs of Stage 1 CKD are

• Typically, there are no symptoms when kidneys perform at 90% or better.
• High Blood Pressure
• Creatinine and urea levels in the blood are higher than normal.

Routine checkups with the best kidney specialist in Ahmedabad will ensure kidneys are monitored over time. Receiving expert medical care in the early stages protects your kidneys in the long term.

Stage 2: A mild to moderate decline in kidney function

Stage 2 Chronic Kidney Disease occurs when the kidneys no longer work as well, functioning 60–89% of the time. This mild to moderate decline of kidney function often has no symptoms initially. Damage to the kidneys may be evident even in the early stages of the disease. At this stage, you may still be symptom-free. The Stage 2 chronic kidney disease symptoms and signs are vague, such as

• Swelling in your hands and feet
• Blood in your urine
• High blood pressure
• Frequent urinary tract infections

Stage 3: A moderate decline in kidney function

When the kidneys lose 30 to 59% of their filtering capacity, it means Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease. The kidneys function around 30–44%. Waste, toxins, and fluids build up as the kidneys aren't filtering them effectively. It is usually the first stage when people find out they have CKD, as a simple blood test called eGFR can spot it.

Symptoms of Stage 3 CKD are

• Back pain
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Persistent itching
• Swelling of the hands and feet
• Sleep problems
• Urinating more or less than usual
• Weakness

Without controlling chronic kidney disease causes like high blood pressure and diabetes, kidneys will damage more quickly. Early detection and good treatment of Stage 3 CKD will provide the best protection against complete kidney failure later on.

Stage 4: Severe decline in kidney function

In Stage 4 of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), there is a severe decline in kidney function, nearing kidney failure. At this stage, the kidney damage is moderate to severe and is working only 15-29% of its capacity. It will lead to the build-up of more toxins, fluids, and wastes in your body. This condition leads to bone disease, anemia, high blood pressure, etc. At this stage, it's important to do everything you can to prevent kidney failure.

Symptoms of Stage 4 CKD are

• High blood pressure.
• Chest or back pain.
• Fatigue.
• Decreased appetite.
• Swelling of the hands and feet.
• Decreased mental sharpness.
• Anemia.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Urinating more or less than usual.
• Increased risk of stroke and heart disease. This is the last step before kidney failure. It is crucial to have regular visits with a top nephrologist in Ahmedabad to curtail further damage to the kidneys and work on the possible treatments to avoid complete kidney failure.

Stage 5: End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD)

Stage 5 is the end stage of kidney disease, wherein the kidneys have practically lost all their filtering capacity. The kidneys are only performing at 15% of their full capabilities. It causes a dangerous build-up of extra fluids, wastes, and electrolyte imbalances. It can make you very sick and lead to many other health problems. This stage is fatal unless treated with dialysis or a kidney transplants. Dialysis filters waste from the blood, but it's not a cure. A kidney transplant offers the best chance for a longer, healthier life.

Symptoms of Stage 5 CKD are

• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in legs, eyes, and hands.
• Cramps or muscle twitches
• Fatigue
• Trouble focusing
• Less or more urinating than usual
• Persistent itching
• Decreased or no appetite
• Lower back pain

Conclusion

This blog sums up the five stages of chronic kidney disease, from the early indicators of kidney damage to total kidney failure. Most people do not feel major symptoms until stage 3 or after. Regular screenings for diabetes and high blood pressure are crucial, as they are major risk factors. Getting a chronic kidney disease diagnosis early on can make a vast difference in managing the health and preventing further kidney damage. Identifying the decreasing kidney levels early and keeping the diseases at bay with serious lifestyle changes will keep your kidneys healthier.

Sticking to your doctor's advice based on your kidney disease stage can really slow down kidney function loss over time. It's super important to get chronic kidney disease treatment early on!