Description

Chronic Kidney Injury — more commonly called Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) — is a long-term condition where the kidneys gradually lose function over time. It can progress silently for years, and many people don’t notice symptoms until the disease is advanced. Here’s a breakdown to help understand it: 🔍 What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)? CKD means your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood the way they should. This leads to a buildup of waste, fluids, and electrolytes in the body. 📊 Stages of CKD CKD is typically divided into 5 stages based on your eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate): Stage eGFR (ml/min/1.73m²) Description 1 ≥90 Normal function, but with kidney damage (e.g., protein in urine) 2 60–89 Mild decrease in function 3a 45–59 Mild to moderate decrease 3b 30–44 Moderate to severe decrease 4 15–29 Severe decrease in function 5 <15 Kidney failure (may need dialysis) ⚠️ Common Causes Diabetes (most common) High blood pressure Glomerulonephritis (inflammation in the kidneys) Polycystic kidney disease Prolonged use of NSAIDs or other nephrotoxic drugs Recurrent kidney infections or obstructions 🧪 Symptoms (usually in later stages) Fatigue Swelling in legs, ankles, or feet High blood pressure Foamy or bloody urine Trouble concentrating Nausea or vomiting Muscle cramps 🩺 Diagnosis Blood tests (especially serum creatinine → eGFR) Urine tests (for protein or blood) Imaging (ultrasound, CT) Kidney biopsy (sometimes) 🛡️ Management / Treatment There’s no cure for CKD, but progression can be slowed by: Managing blood sugar (in diabetes) Controlling blood pressure (ACE inhibitors or ARBs are often used) Dietary changes (low sodium, low protein, reduced potassium/phosphorus) Avoiding nephrotoxic medications Regular monitoring by a nephrologist In Stage 5, patients may require: Dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) Kidney transplant 💬 Let me know if you want more details on: Diet plans for CKD Dialysis options Medications used Specific causes (like diabetic kidney disease)

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