Patients & Families

Millions of people in the United States have chronic kidney disease. CKD is characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function over time. Anyone can get CKD at any time. While CKD is highly prevalent, most people are unaware they have it and remain undiagnosed.  As a consequence of this lack of awareness, CKD has been labeled the "silent epidemic" by the National Kidney Foundation. Some people are more likely to develop kidney disease. You have an increased risk for kidney disease if you:

1. have diabetes.
2. have hypertension (high blood pressure).
3. have an inherited kidney disease (i.e polycystic kidney disease, Alport syndrome, reflux nephropathy, hyperoxalria, glomerulonephritis).
4. have a family history of kidney failure.
5. are older.
6. are African American, Hispanic American, Asian, Pacific Islander or American Indian. This population groups has a high rate of diabetes or high blood pressure.

Early detection through routine medical exams that include a urine test and blood pressure check are good screening tools for CKD. A blood test for creatinine ( a waste that healthy kidneys remove) may find CKD early. Treatment and collaboration with your nephrologist  may keep your kidney disease from progressing.  As kidney disease progresses it  may lead to kidney failure, which includes dialysis or kidney transplant. 

People with CKD can help slow the loss of kidney function if they:

• Keep their blood sugar in the target range
• Keep their blood pressure in the target range
• Avoid pain pills call NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, like naproxen and ibuprofen)
• Quit smoking, if they smoke
• Ask the doctor to take steps to protect their kidneys if they need imaging tests with contrast (dye) like x-rays or CT scans

• 30 million people are estimated to have CKD. 
• 1 in 7 Americans has chronic kidney disease, but most of them are not aware of their disease.
• The United States has the 3rd highest rate of new cases of kidney failure in the world.
• High blood pressure and diabetes are the main causes of CKD. 
• Kidney disease often has no symptoms in its early stages and can go undetected until it is very advanced. For this reason, kidney disease is often referred to as a "silent disease".
• Kidney disease usually gets worse over time though treatment has been shown to slow progression
• Having kidney disease increases the changes of also having heart disease and stroke.
• CKD is estimated to be more common in women than in men.
• CKD is more common in African American, Native Americans,  Hispanic Americans, & Asian Americans than in Caucasians. 
• Only one functioning kidney is needed to live a healthy life.

Kidney disease can affect anyone but some people are more at risk than others. 

• Diabetes mellitus
• Hypertension (high blood pressure
• Being African American, Native American, Hispanic or Asian 
• Being over 60
• Having a family member with kidney disease

Symptoms of chronic kidney disease develop slowly over time.

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fatigue and weakness
• Decrease in amount of urine produced
• Loss of mental function
• Muscle cramps and twitches
• Swelling of ankles and feet
• Intense itching
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• High blood pressure that is difficult to control

Signs and symptoms of kidney disease are nonspecific, making it appear as if they are caused by other diseases, such as the heart, lungs or intestines. Because kidney are highly adaptable and able to compensate for lost function, signs and symptoms may not appear until irreversible damage has occurred. 

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is a formula for how well the kidneys are filtering, that uses age, gender, race, and level of creatinine in the blood.  

Chronic kidney disease is defined as either kidney damage or GFR of less than 60 mL/min lasting longer than 3 months. CKD can be diagnosed without knowledge of its cause. 

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) defines five stages of CKD based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) , a formula for how well the kidneys are filtering, that uses age, gender, race, and level of creatinine in the blood. Stage 5 is the most severe.