Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) severely impacts the kidneys' ability to filter waste and excess fluids, affecting about 17% of adults in India. Without timely intervention, CKD can progress to kidney failure, necessitating dialysis or a transplant.

Early detection and management are crucial to slowing CKD's progression. Consulting a reputable nephrologist in Haryana and making lifestyle changes can effectively manage the condition.

What is CKD? Chronic Kidney Disease is a gradual decline in kidney function over at least three months. With 8% to 16% of the global population suffering from diabetes and hypertension, CKD often starts without noticeable symptoms but later presents with fatigue, swelling, and cardiovascular issues.

CKD Stages Nephrologists classify CKD into five stages based on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which measures kidney filtering efficiency:

Stage 1: Normal or high GFR (≥90 mL/min).

Stage 2: Mild reduction in GFR (60-89 mL/min).

Stage 3: Moderate reduction in GFR (30-59 mL/min),

Stage 4: Severe reduction in GFR (15-29 mL/min).

Stage 5: Kidney failure (GFR <15 mL/min or on dialysis).

Causes of CKD CKD often results from diabetes, hypertension, glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease (PKD), recurrent infections, obstructive uropathy, and exposure to toxic substances.

Risk Factors Risk factors include family history, age (especially over 60), and ethnicity (South Asians and African Americans are at higher risk).

Conclusion CKD is a major health issue in India. Early detection and management are essential to prevent progression to end-stage renal disease, which requires treatments like dialysis or transplantation. Regular check-ups with nephrologists at leading hospitals in Haryana, like SS Kidney Hospital, are vital for managing CKD.