Chronic Kidney Disease
Applies to:
Your two kidneys — each the size of a fist — filters waste and water from the human body, as well as maintain the body’s chemical balance, control blood pressure and make hormones. If you are suffering from chronic kidney disease, your kidneys are damaged and can’t properly filter blood through them. As a result, waste will build up in your body and can lead to other problems, like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Eventually, kidney failure is likely if not treated properly.
Importance of Early Detection
By finding chronic kidney disease early, doctors can help prevent the progression of the disease, including kidney failure. High risk groups for chronic kidney disease include diabetes, hypertension and a family history of kidney failure. Other conditions can also affect the kidney, like birth defects, lupus, kidney stones, repeated urinary infections and other kidney diseases.
Glomerular Filtration Rate
In order to evaluate whether you have chronic kidney disease and determine your level of kidney function, the doctors of Coastal Kidney can perform a glomerular filtration rate test. In addition to examining your blood for creatinine, the test will also take into account your age, race, gender and other factors.
Symptoms & Treatment
In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, you may not show many symptoms. Treatment for chronic kidney disease is accomplished by controlling the progression of the disease by fighting the underlying causes like high blood pressure or diabetes. Symptoms of chronic kidney disease include:
- Loss of energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble sleeping
- Poor appetite
- Muscle cramps
- Chronic fatigue
- Swollen ankles and feet
- Dry, itchy skin