It is important for every patient who has CKD or is likely to develop it to be aware of the causes, symptoms, and treatments. In this article, we will provide you with a complete overview of CKD, the most common symptoms, the...
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a fatal and life-threatening illness that affects millions of lives worldwide. It is an illness which will most likely go unrecognized until when a condition has reached the advanced stage, and it can be hard to cure it in the correct manner.
Introduction to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and its Impact?
The majority of people worldwide suffer from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), a serious disease of people worldwide. If not treated, the kidneys progressively lose their function and result in renal failure. A critical organ that eliminates waste and excess water from the blood is the kidney and excess water from blood. They also maintain blood pressure in balance and regulate the formation of red blood cells through hormones.
When kidneys are defective or impaired, excess water and waste may accumulate in the body and create many symptoms and complications. They are leg swelling and ankle swelling, tiredness, repeated urinary, sleeplessness, and high pressure in the blood vessels. CKD also leads to anemia, bone disease, nerve damage, and increased risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
Understanding the Causes of CKD?
CKD, or chronic kidney disease, is a disease that may happen when the kidneys are damaged or unable to filter the blood. CKD has numerous causes, and it is prudent to learn about them so that one may take the right measures to avoid the disease.
The two major causes of CKD are diabetes and hypertension. They impair the small renal vessels, rendering them unable to filter waste products out of the body. Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disorder in which cysts on the kidneys form and render the kidneys non-functional, and glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney's filtering machinery.
Other risk factors that can cause CKD include obesity, smoking, advanced age, and genetic susceptibility to kidney disease. Further, it should be mentioned that some medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and some antibiotics have the potential of damaging the kidneys on long-term usage.
Symptoms of CKD?
Chronic Kidney Disease or CKD is a serious medical condition that has a serious impact on the health and well-being of a person. Identification of the symptoms of CKD is necessary so that it can be diagnosed early and a treatment process can be started.
The early phases of CKD are usually asymptomatic, therefore it is important to understand the risk factors and get yourself checked up regularly if you are at risk. Then the symptoms appear to be weakness, fatigue, insomnia, muscle cramps, ankle and foot swelling, loss of appetite, and decreased urine output.
You will need to go see your doctor and get yourself screened for CKD if you experience any of these signs, especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of the condition, or any other risk factor for kidney disease.
Common Tests to Diagnose CKD-
If you have symptoms of kidney disease, or even if you are at risk of contracting the disease, your doctor will need you to take some tests in order to diagnose chronic kidney disease (CKD).
The most widely applied tests used to diagnose CKD are-
- Blood tests (Book Now)
- Urine tests (Book Now)
- Urinary Obstruction (Book Now)
- Hyperglycemia (Book Now)
- Kidney Stone Formation Diagnostic Panel (Book Now)
- Bleeding Thrombosis Package (Book Now)
Your doctor can use the following tests:
You will have urine tests that will determine the amount of protein, blood, and other chemicals in your urine, which will also show if your kidneys are damaged. Imaging tests, like a CT scan or ultrasound, can take pictures of your kidneys and search for damage to the structure or other things.
In others, a kidney biopsy will need to be done to diagnose or determine the reason for your kidney disease. A kidney biopsy is taking out a very small amount of kidney tissue to be looked at under a microscope.
Identification of the CKD Stages of Progression is at the center of appropriate management and control of the disease. If you have kidney disease symptoms or risk factors for developing the disease, talk with your doctor about whether you might be tested.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) exists in stages that are quantified by the level of kidney function. The stages are determined by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is a measure of kidney function and the ability of the kidneys to remove waste and excess fluid from the blood.
Five stages of CKD
- Stage 1 is the most minor kidney disease, and the GFR remains normal or decreased slightly. One may have no symptoms as yet, but kidneys remain normal if treated.
- Stage 2 involves minimal decline in GFR. It will probably still be free from any symptoms.
- Stage 3 in which decreased function in kidneys can easily be perceived as inducing certain symptoms like weakness, puffiness around the ankles and feet, and altered urination.
- Stage 4 the GFR is drastically reduced and the waste and fluid can't be filtered by the kidneys. Complications include high blood pressure, anemia, and bone disease can happen as a result of this.
- Stage 5 CKD or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is the most risky type of kidney disease. In this stage, the kidneys are nearly fully impaired and can be taken care of either through dialysis or through the transplant of kidneys.
Treatment Options for CKD
There are certain treatments of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Depending on the stage of disease, the treatment of the patient will vary with disease and symptoms endured. In the initial stage, the treatment can prevent reducing blood pressure and lowering blood sugar levels from progressing the disease. Patients can be recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and smoking cessation.
As CKD worsens, treatment may involve medication to control symptoms such as excessive blood potassium, anemia, and bone disease. In more advanced CKD, dialysis or kidney transplantation is required for some individuals. Dialysis is where waste products and excess water are removed from the blood through a machine because the kidneys cannot. In a kidney transplant, a donor kidney is placed into the patient's body during surgery.
It should be kept in mind that CKD does not receive one-size-fits-all treatment. Treatment for every patient is unique and suited to his or her needs. By this time, the kidneys have virtually stopped working and create an overall treatment plan that addresses their symptoms and improves their lifestyle. It is also to be noted that early treatment and diagnosis of CKD will decelerate the disease progression and decrease the risk of complications, emphasizing the importance of frequent check-ups, especially in individuals at risk.
Changes to Improve the Health of Your Kidneys?
You can make some lifestyle modifications that can contribute immensely towards improving the health of your kidneys. Some of them:
- Eat a healthy diet
- Don't smoke
- Drink plenty of water
- Maintain your blood sugar levels
- Control your blood pressure
Medications to manage CKD?
When dealing with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), bear in mind that there is no cure. But there are a few medications that can be used to manage the symptoms of the disease and to retard its development.
One of the most common medications used to treat CKD is ACE medication or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). They cause blood vessels to become wider and reduce blood pressure, which prevents further damage to the kidneys.
Another type of medication that may be prescribed to treat CKD is diuretics. Diuretics allow the body to eliminate excess water and salt, decreasing blood pressure and swelling in the legs and feet.
Phosphate binders can also be given to manage the level of phosphorus in the blood. Phosphorus will build up to bone disease in individuals with CKD, and by using phosphate binders, this can be avoided.
Dialysis: How It Works and When It's Needed
Treatment called dialysis is applied in the treatment of chronic renal disease in the event the kidneys cannot perform their vital function anymore. Dialysis is performed to remove excess waste products, water, and salt from the blood in order to re-establish the body fluid and mineral balance. Blood is filtered by a machine during dialysis, and it takes several hours.
Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are the two types of dialysis. Hemodialysis is to purify the blood with an artificial kidney and peritoneal dialysis is to fill the abdomen with a special liquid through a catheter that cleanses the blood All types of dialysis have pros and cons and which one to undergo will depend on the specific case of the patient.
Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for patients with chronic renal disease but is not a curative treatment. Dialysis patients will require ongoing treatment every now and then for the rest of their lives or at least until they are ready for a kidney transplant.
Dialysis is exhausting both physically and emotionally for patients, and it is essential that they are taken care of properly and supported by their doctors, families, and community. All of us together can enhance the life of patients with chronic kidney disease by being cautious about its signs, causes, and treatment modalities.
Conclusion:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a fatal and life-threatening illness that affects millions of lives worldwide. It is important for every patient who has CKD or is likely to develop it to be aware of the causes, symptoms, and treatments. Understanding the treatment and medications can help you to manage your disease. There are certain treatments of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). You can book your kidney function tests at the best imaging centre, The Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre.
FAQS
Q. What is the full form of CKD?
The full form of CKD is Chronic Kidney Diseases.
Q. What are the main CKD symptoms?
There are two main types of symptoms of CKD that are hypertension and high blood pressure.
Q. Where can I get the CKD test at the lowest cost?
You can get CKD tests at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging centre at lowest cost.
