Chronic Kidney Disease

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a gradual loss of kidney function over months or years. The kidneys filter waste and extra water from the blood, balance minerals and help control blood pressure, so as they weaken these jobs suffer. An estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) that stays below 60, or protein (albumin) leaking into the urine, can indicate CKD. Early stages usually cause no symptoms, so the condition is often found only through blood and urine tests. Detected early, its progression can often be slowed.

Symptoms

• ●Swelling in feet and ankles
• ●Changes in urination
• ●Fatigue
• ●Nausea
• ●Itchy skin
• ●Loss of appetite

What Causes Chronic Kidney Disease?

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two most common causes: over time, high blood sugar and high pressure damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys' filtering units. Other causes include glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the filters), polycystic kidney disease, repeated kidney infections, blockages such as kidney stones or an enlarged prostate, and long-term use of some medicines, including regular high-dose painkillers.

Risk Factors

• ⚠Diabetes
• ⚠High blood pressure
• ⚠Heart disease
• ⚠Family history of kidney disease
• ⚠Obesity
• ⚠Older age

How to Prevent Chronic Kidney Disease

Because diabetes and high blood pressure cause most kidney disease, keeping blood sugar and blood pressure under control is the most effective protection. Not smoking, keeping a healthy weight, limiting salt, and taking non-prescription painkillers such as ibuprofen only as directed also help. People with diabetes should have their kidney function checked at least once a year.

When to Get Tested

Get tested every year if you have diabetes, and ask your doctor about regular testing if you have high blood pressure, heart disease or a family history of kidney failure. A kidney function test (creatinine with eGFR) and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio together detect most early kidney disease. See a doctor promptly if you notice swollen ankles, foamy or reduced urine, or persistent tiredness and nausea.

References & Sources

• [1]
  Mayo Clinic — Chronic Kidney DiseaseAccessed: 2026-02-14
• [2]
  Cleveland Clinic — Kidney DiseaseAccessed: 2026-02-14
• [3]
  NIDDK — Chronic Kidney Disease Tests & DiagnosisAccessed: 2026-10-03