Table of Contents
What is chronic kidney disease?
Chronic kidney disease, commonly known as chronic kidney failure, is characterized by the progressive loss of kidney function. Wastes and excess fluids are removed from your blood by your kidneys, which are then excreted in urine. Advanced chronic kidney disease can lead to dangerously high amounts of fluid, electrolytes, and wastes in the body.
Chronic kidney disease treatment focuses on delaying the progression of kidney damage, usually by addressing the underlying cause. Controlling the cause, however, may not be enough to prevent kidney damage from progressing. Without mechanical filtering (dialysis) or a kidney transplant, chronic kidney disease can proceed to end-stage kidney failure, which is fatal.
What are the symptoms?
If you are experiencing the following symptoms and live in Karachi, we suggest you visit the Best Nephrologist in Karachi and have the required tests done for a diagnosis.
- Having difficulty sleeping
- Muscle cramps in the middle of the night
- Have swollen ankles and feet
- Tiredness and less energy
- puffiness around your eyes, particularly in the morning
- Bad appetite
- Have itchy, dry skin
- Urinate more frequently, especially at night
Risk factors?
Below are the factors that may increase the likelihood of you developing chronic kidney disease:
- High blood pressure
- Heart (cardiovascular) disease
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Family history of kidney disease
- Abnormal kidney structure
- Older age
- Frequent use of medications that can damage the kidneys
- Diabetes
What can be done to treat and prevent the condition from worsening?
Kidney damage is usually irreversible. While the damage to your kidneys cannot be reversed, you can take precautions to maintain them as healthy as possible for as long as feasible. You might even be able to prevent the damage from worsening.
- If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control.
- Maintain a healthy blood pressure level.
- Maintain a low-sodium, low-fat diet.
- On most days of the week, exercise for at least 30 minutes.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Do not use tobacco or smoke.
- Alcohol should be consumed in moderation.
- Consult your doctor about medications that can aid with kidney protection
How is CKD diagnosed?
eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate):
The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a measure of how successfully your kidneys clear your blood.
Your body is constantly producing waste. This waste enters your bloodstream. The waste from your blood is removed by healthy kidneys. Creatinine is an example of a waste product. If you have too much creatinine in your blood, it could mean your kidneys aren’t filtering your blood properly.
A blood test will be performed to determine the amount of creatinine in your blood. This information will be used by your doctor to calculate your eGFR. You may have kidney disease if your eGFR is less than 60 for three months or more.
Urine Test:
This test is used to determine whether your urine contains blood or protein.
Urine is produced by your kidneys. If you have blood or protein in your urine, it could mean your kidneys aren’t functioning properly.
Your doctor may request a urine sample in the clinic or request that you collect urine at home and bring it to your appointment.
Blood Pressure:
This test determines how hard your heart must work to pump your blood.
Kidney disease can induce high blood pressure, but high blood pressure can also cause kidney disease. High blood pressure can be a symptom that your kidneys aren’t operating properly.
If you wish to get checked for chronic kidney disease and live in Islamabad, we suggest you book an appointment with the Best Nephrologist in Islamabad.
