The Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the second-most common cause of kidney disease. High blood pressure, often coupled with cardiovascular issues, damages the blood vessels in the kidney making high blood pressure one of the top causes of CKD. If you have hypertension, it is vital to monitor and control your blood pressure as high blood pressure can lead to other health issues, including CKD.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a common genetic disorder that is usually diagnosed with a kidney scan. In PKD, cysts develop inside the kidneys impairing kidney function and leading to CKD. Though there is no cure for PKD, the growth rate of cysts and the progression of the condition can be reduced.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), often referred to as lupus is an autoimmune disease that often affects young women. However, both men and women can develop this condition at any age. Lupus causes the body’s immune system to attack its own tissues and organs. It often affects the kidneys, and this condition is known as Lupus Nephritis. Lupus Nephritis can lead to CKD and even end-stage kidney disease. If you have Lupus, it is important that you are regularly tested for kidney function as Lupus Nephritis may not display any additional symptoms at onset.

Glomerulonephritis refers to a group of conditions that causes inflammation of tiny filters inside the kidneys called glomeruli. This, typically, leads to protein and red blood cells in the urine. Glomerulonephritis can also affect other organs apart from the kidney. It is important to be under the care of a nephrologist if you have any of the conditions classified as Glomerulonephritis.

Chronic pyelonephritis refers to damage caused by repeated urinary tract infections and inflammation in the kidneys due to varied causes such as urinary reflux. It can lead to CKD and progressive kidney damage.

A high body mass index (BMI) increases metabolic requirements, which makes the kidneys work harder to filter out waste. The increase in kidney function poses a heightened risk of kidney damage when compounded over several years. Being overweight also increases the risk of developing diabetes and hypertension, two main causes of chronic kidney disease.

Smoking affects all organs negatively, including the kidneys. Smoking is a common cause of damaged blood vessels that contributes to heart-related conditions. A damaged heart, blood vessels, or arteries, can decrease the blood flow to the kidneys and lead to kidney damage over time.

Though kidney failure can occur at any age, people over 60 are at a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Therefore, regular screenings are recommended if you are over 60 years.

Inherited genetic diseases that can lead to CKD range from common ones like polycystic kidney disease (PKD) to rare ones usually leading to glomerulonephritis. If you have a history of kidney disease in the family, it is imperative to keep your doctor informed.

Prolonged use of certain medications, such as over-the-counter Non- Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs [DN1]), commonly known as pain medications and other unregulated remedies, can affect the kidneys in the long term. Always discuss your medications with your doctor to minimize this risk.

Talk to your doctor about your concerns relating to the risk factors and determine if you need kidney function tests. You can also eliminate lifestyle-related risks such as smoking, start a moderate exercise routine, adopt a kidney-friendly diet, and monitor your blood pressure as well as your blood sugar level.

Work with your healthcare practitioner to keep your blood sugar under control to minimize potential kidney damage. And look out for changes in kidney function as chronic kidney disease can set in within 2-5 years of Type 1 diabetes. Timely detection can slow the progression of CKD for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Early detection of CKD is important so that appropriate steps can be taken to help slow down its progression. And since the early stages of CKD rarely exhibit any symptoms, diagnosis is usually done through health screenings: a urine test to measure the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) or protein-creatinine ratio (PCR) and a blood test to determine the glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Albumin-to-creatinine ratio, or ACR, is a test for detecting albumin in the urine, an indication of CKD for patients with diabetes.

Yes. Protein-creatinine ratio, or PCR, is a test that measures elevated protein levels in the urine, a common sign of kidney damage.

The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is an indication of kidney function and is obtained through a blood test. eGFR below 60 ml/min indicates the onset of chronic kidney disease. An eGFR of less than 15 ml/min indicates end-stage kidney disease or the start of kidney failure.

The outlook depends on what stage your CKD is detected at, and not all CKD leads to end-stage kidney disease or kidney failure. The progression of CKD can be slowed with careful monitoring and management. And if kidney function continues to decline, treatment options for end-stage kidney disease need to be considered.