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Kidney disease

Also called: kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, CKD

Healthy kidneys function to remove extra water and wastes, help control blood pressure, keep body chemicals in balance, keep bones strong, tell your body to make red blood cells and help children grow normally. Kidney disease occurs when kidneys are no longer able to clean toxins and waste product from the blood and perform their functions to full capacity. This can happen all of a sudden or over time.

Diabetes is the number one cause of kidney disease, responsible for about 40% of all kidney failure. High blood pressure is the second cause, responsible for about 25%. Another form of kidney disease is glomerulonephritis, a general term for many types of kidney inflammation. Genetic diseases, autoimmune diseases, birth defects, and other problems can also cause kidney disease.

Articles

• All about CKD: Definition, causes and symptoms
• All about CKD: Stages
• All about CKD: Lifestyle choices

Video

• Kidney disease: Slowing kidney disease

Articles and portals

• Kidney Disease – National Kidney Foundation
• Kidney Disease Overview – National Kidney Disease Education Program

Journals

• Article: Preclinical Kidney Disease in Elderly People
• Article: Kidney Disease and Heart Attacks

Organizations

• National Kidney Foundation
• American Association of Kidney Patients