What does the kidney do?
The kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood. They remove waste materials, excess salts, and fluids from the blood, participate in blood pressure regulation, and maintain the body's acid-base balance. Most people have two functioning kidneys, each roughly the size of a fist. The kidneys are located in the back of the body, below the lower ribs.
What is chronic kidney disease?
Chronic kidney disease encompasses a range of conditions that cause damage to the kidneys and reduce their ability to maintain human health.
Can chronic kidney decline be prevented?
When chronic kidney disease already exists, early diagnosis and treatment can significantly slow down its progression.
Who should be screened for chronic kidney disease?
Approximately 5%-10% of the adult population suffer from chronic kidney disease, with the majority being over the age of 60 and unaware of their condition. High-risk groups include:
- Diabetic patients
- Patients with high blood pressure
- Patients with heart failure or vascular disease
- Individuals with a history of kidney disease
- Individuals with a family history of kidney disease
- People over the age of 55
To assess kidney function, the following tests are conducted:
- Blood pressure measurement
- Measurement of protein or albumin in the urine. A significant amount of protein or albumin in the urine indicates kidney filtering units have been affected by the disease.
- Blood creatinine test. This test is used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and evaluate kidney filtration. GFR values below 60 mL per minute (adjusted for the patient's size, weight, age, and sex) indicate chronic kidney disease.
What is creatinine?
Creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine, an essential component in the body's muscles. Creatinine levels are measured in a simple blood test, indicating the amount of creatinine in the blood. Creatinine levels vary from person to person depending on their size and muscle mass. Women tend to have lower creatinine levels than men due to their smaller muscle mass.
In a healthy state, creatinine is entirely excreted in the urine by the kidneys. If there is a disruption in kidney function, less creatinine will be excreted in the urine, causing elevated creatinine levels in the blood. The blood creatinine test is used to assess kidney filtration, which reflects kidney function. A GFR value below 60 is considered normal.
What are the warning signs of kidney disease?
Most people with chronic kidney disease do not experience symptoms until the disease has reached an advanced stage. Warning signs of kidney disease include:
- High blood pressure
- Blood or protein in the urine
- Abnormal blood tests of creatinine and urea
- Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
Chronic kidney disease - important to know!
- Common: People with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart, and vascular diseases, and the elderly are at increased risk of developing kidney disease.
- Silent: Most kidney diseases are detected at a late stage as there are no early symptoms.
- Dangerous: Kidney disease can cause significant illness and may require dialysis or kidney transplantation, and can even lead to death.
- Easy to diagnose: Simple urine and blood tests can lead to an early diagnosis of kidney disease.
- Treatable: Proper treatment can prevent or delay the progression of the disease.