Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Feb 15 2023 img source: unsplash

Chronic kidney disease affects about one in seven American adults.

[{"selector":"#anim-e64ca07b-bac2-4140-820d-929c1d97bd07","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.61342%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f389ff32-c1dd-4d3c-8db4-073743efa62d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8930eac0-7641-44e7-80af-a31fb7fb6e3d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9c61badb-0a56-4443-a1be-a81a27b91e2b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Feb 15 2023 img source: unsplash Learn more

The kidneys play a vital role in removing waste and toxins from the bloodstream, producing hormones, and other functions.

[{"selector":"#anim-12ba1786-c05e-4101-8756-63aae10dbf1b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.97444%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6adc2878-6168-44ee-ab37-1613f426d765","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a9559c4b-c405-42fe-bb8c-22be43131e59","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b9693d21-f6ca-4031-93d8-ada282571744 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-22.81346130587909%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Feb 15 2023 img source: unsplash Learn more

Chronic kidney disease is caused by progressive damage and loss of function in the kidneys.

[{"selector":"#anim-18e1a4c9-e841-4090-b341-8081af95d7ad","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.97444%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5459b6bf-5805-43d6-925e-8f95bff1f862","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-38f56f59-65ea-4f82-a04f-56866b051ad9","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-790d90c9-6cb6-46ac-be4e-b87975bdb43f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.17499990397451%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Feb 15 2023 img source: unsplash Learn more

Family history, genetic conditions, and age can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease.

[{"selector":"#anim-48fc472b-98ed-4c0a-914c-330dbc5f9027","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.97444%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-04c17f7d-56d1-43db-8041-2c58af276233","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-24d2db6c-ba44-41d9-a8c0-ac6d632da7c5","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-51607b5f-1456-42f1-9709-aafc3d7493d0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Feb 15 2023 img source: unsplash Learn more

Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, urinary tract issues, and smoking can also contribute to kidney disease.

[{"selector":"#anim-0968fbc0-656d-4372-95e3-0ebb28c46629","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.65495%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5ca6f022-21ba-46cd-a0b8-9f308f3fc4ca","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1bb23f90-e8dc-413b-9a8b-fda07679e1cf","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ddf16795-ff88-4e8a-9d77-95610e45f963 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Feb 15 2023 img source: unsplash Learn more

Symptoms of chronic kidney disease may include nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, swelling of feet and ankles, and trouble sleeping, among others.

[{"selector":"#anim-419b3870-a5e5-479b-8a6d-490d571fe9ae","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.64948%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2160b721-26ed-4ea1-a32e-17b30ab54c92","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b15a60dc-e1c0-4b1f-bed0-fb4238afdcf4","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Feb 15 2023 img source: unsplash Learn more

Routine blood work and urine tests can indicate the onset of chronic kidney disease.

[{"selector":"#anim-0ab269c1-5ff1-4a2b-a2ff-9bcaa1b880ab","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.11842%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6886ee45-5940-458d-958c-de36a5e2d587","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ab555743-46d8-4aa7-b7dc-c5af5c3d915e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9cdee593-dbd2-4250-831d-24f78798284f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-30.843531352290764%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Feb 15 2023 img source: unsplash Learn more

Early detection of chronic kidney disease is key to easier treatment.

[{"selector":"#anim-7d643e6c-bd5a-4e17-997c-4c4af1a77646","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.76316%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc0bf4ca-595c-4bee-983a-94c0e307c531","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b8499dc2-c326-45d3-89a4-988b3fe32cb0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dd2e3e71-fdd1-4c4e-a092-b451dcc1b715 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.30360555365072%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Feb 15 2023 img source: unsplash Learn more

Treatment is determined by the cause of the kidney disease and may include medication, a lower protein diet, and lifestyle changes.

[{"selector":"#anim-8575665d-d3fc-4436-a677-d03af69002e2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.78948%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b8999a69-d4c4-465c-9aba-34ecf5a49f8a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-65ff77e8-84ba-470e-bb9e-af943423795c","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-47409d91-931e-4406-9ab1-9f313cd80eb7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.24829905167259%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Feb 15 2023 img source: unsplash Learn more

Dialysis and kidney transplantation are options for those with end-stage kidney failure.

[{"selector":"#anim-e7b482b5-0b75-4a07-87aa-c5d41f6117ea","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.64707%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e9ac5d34-890b-4aaa-b080-4ea9c218cc66","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-848da889-699a-4242-a593-2939b3ea36f0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-104756c5-ff13-4ac3-a312-d5bad5a688c4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-15.103845828600054%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Feb 15 2023 img source: unsplash Learn more

[{"selector":"#anim-407abf03-ecd3-4d9b-86a3-e9d1cac880eb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-927e12f2-e18d-4ca6-a178-8b7682b9689d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-128.24428%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aad91020-809f-4d16-a5e9-4375998bbd94","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-feb8cd5f-f58a-4639-851e-de11e4114239","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-343deg) translate3d(136.77132%, 0px, 0) rotate(343deg)","rotate(-343deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(343deg)"]},"delay":600,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bae0576e-84f6-4fee-8f61-7b24b5aa5429","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"rotate(-342deg) translate3d(0, -230.50949%, 0) rotate(342deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"rotate(-342deg) translate3d(0, 0%, 0) rotate(342deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"rotate(-342deg) translate3d(0, -64.819268588%, 0) rotate(342deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"rotate(-342deg) translate3d(0, 0%, 0) rotate(342deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"rotate(-342deg) translate3d(0, -22.036707244000002%, 0) rotate(342deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"rotate(-342deg) translate3d(0, 0%, 0) rotate(342deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"rotate(-342deg) translate3d(0, -8.275290691%, 0) rotate(342deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"rotate(-342deg) translate3d(0, 0%, 0) rotate(342deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"rotate(-342deg) translate3d(0, -3.595948044%, 0) rotate(342deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"rotate(-342deg) translate3d(0, 0%, 0) rotate(342deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":600,"fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-48bdd0e2-e283-4cbf-8457-536dbafd308b","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-339deg) translate3d(-217.69229%, 0px, 0) rotate(339deg)","rotate(-339deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(339deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .8, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-209a7be5-deae-4697-9719-ec11dd11ea3f","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-339deg) rotateZ(-180deg) rotate(339deg)","rotate(-339deg) rotateZ(0deg) rotate(339deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .5, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]