Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means your kidneys don't work as well as they should. It's a long-term condition that's quite common, especially as people get older.

What Do Your Kidneys Do?

Your kidneys are like filters in your body. They clean your blood and remove waste through your urine. When you have CKD, these filters don't work properly.

Who Gets Kidney Disease?

Anyone can develop kidney disease, but it's more common in:

• Older people
• People from Black or South Asian backgrounds
• People with high blood pressure or diabetes

Early Signs Are Hard to Spot

The tricky thing about kidney disease is that you usually can't tell you have it in the early stages. Most people only find out when they have blood or urine tests for something else.

Symptoms to Watch For

As kidney disease gets worse, you might notice:

• Feeling very tired
• Swollen ankles, feet or hands
• Feeling out of breath
• Feeling sick
• Blood in your urine

Speak to your GP if you have any of these symptoms that worry you or won't go away.

What Causes Kidney Disease?

Several health conditions can damage your kidneys over time:

• High blood pressure - This puts strain on the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys
• Diabetes - Too much sugar in your blood damages the kidney filters
• High cholesterol - Fat can build up in blood vessels, making it harder for kidneys to work
• Kidney infections that keep coming back
• Kidney stones that block urine flow
• Some medicines - Like certain painkillers if used long-term

How Is It Found?

Your GP can check for kidney disease with simple blood and urine tests. These show if waste products are building up in your blood - a sign your kidneys aren't filtering properly.

If you're at high risk (like having diabetes), your GP might suggest regular tests to catch any problems early.

Treatment Options

There's no cure for kidney disease, but treatments can help slow it down and manage symptoms:

• Healthy lifestyle changes - Eating well, exercising, and not smoking
• Blood pressure medicines - To protect your kidneys from further damage
• Cholesterol medicines - To keep blood vessels healthy
• Special kidney medicines - To help kidneys work better for longer

Only in very advanced cases might someone need dialysis (a machine that filters blood) or a kidney transplant.

The Good News

Most people with kidney disease can live normal, long lives. Only about 2 in every 100 people with kidney disease will need dialysis or a transplant.

However, having kidney disease does increase your risk of heart problems and strokes. That's why it's important to take any medicines your GP prescribes and attend regular check-ups.

Key Takeaways

• Kidney disease often has no early symptoms
• Simple tests can check how well your kidneys work
• Treatment can help slow the disease and prevent complications
• Most people with kidney disease live full, active lives

If you're concerned about kidney disease or have risk factors like diabetes or high blood pressure, speak to your GP about getting tested.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.