Stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Chronic kidney disease usually develops over time. When kidney disease is detected early, there are steps that can be taken to help prolong kidney function. There are five stages of chronic kidney disease. The stages were developed to help doctors determine the appropriate treatment for their patients. An estimated 20 million adults in the U.S. have some degree of chronic kidney disease, ranging from stage one kidney disease to stage five kidney failure, requiring dialysis treatment. Learn more about the stages of chronic kidney disease.

Dialysis

How to delay the onset of dialysis

While it is scary to be diagnosed with a chronic disease, the good news is, there are steps you can take to prolong kidney function.

Lifestyle choices for those with chronic kidney disease

Doctors, health care professionals, health magazine and online articles always speak to lifestyle choices; probably because these are the things we can control that may help us live a healthier life. For people with chronic kidney disease, there are lifestyle choices regarding diet, exercise and smoking that may help prevent kidney disease from advancing to kidney failure. There are also changes that may occur in the body due to chronic kidney disease. Learn what to expect and what can be done to feel your best with chronic kidney disease.

Definition, causes and symptoms of chronic kidney disease

Looking for a quick, simple overview about some of the terms you may have heard your doctor say? Get the definition of chronic kidney disease, acute renal failure and other terms, find out who is most at risk of kidney disease and see a list of the most common symptoms of kidney disease. 

How to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease

Finding out you have chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the earlier stages of CKD may allow you to take action to slow the progression of kidney disease and prevent kidney failure. By controlling blood pressure, and blood sugar levels for those with diabetes, and making other healthy lifestyle choices, it may be possible to keep kidneys working. Learn how you can help slow the progression of kidney disease.

What to eat when you have kidney disease

Many medical professionals believe that diet plays a role in slowing the progression of kidney disease. Lower protein diets may help the kidneys because they won’t have to work so hard. Because healthy kidneys are responsible for eliminating potassium and phosphorus, as kidney function slows, these minerals may need to be reduced in the diet. Find out what to eat when you have kidney disease.

Getting a kidney transplant

A kidney transplant is a treatment option for people with chronic kidney disease that progresses to end stage renal disease. A person with kidney failure can receive a kidney from either a living donor or a deceased donor. People with kidney disease are not automatically put on a list to receive a kidney transplant. Find out what you need to know about getting a kidney transplant.