The 411 on Kidney Disease

For a comprehensive overview of chronic kidney disease (CKD), from basic terminology to risk factors and matching a treatment option to your lifestyle, DaVita has all the in-depth information CKD patients and their care partners need.

What is kidney disease?

Understanding your kidney disease is the first step in taking control of your health. When you have kidney disease, your kidneys are no longer able to remove waste effectively from your body or to balance your fluids. The build up of wastes can change the chemistry of your body causing some symptoms that you can feel, and others that you don’t.

With kidney diseases, the first symptoms you may have are ones that you won’t feel but that will show up in tests that your doctor orders. Common problems are high blood pressure, anemia and weakening bones. It is important to find a kidney doctor (also called a nephrologist). Partner closely with your doctor and your healthcare team as early as possible.

Okay… but what do healthy kidneys do?

Your kidneys—two bean-shaped organs located in your lower back—are your body’s filtration system, cleaning wastes and extra fluids from your body and producing and balancing chemicals that are necessary for your body to function. Healthy kidneys also:

• Clean and filter your blood
• Produce urine
• Produce hormones
• Control blood pressure
• Keep bones strong

Following a kidney-friendly diet, managing health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension and not smoking may help your kidneys function better and longer, even when you have kidney disease.

What stage am I in?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) comes in stages and knowing your stage is important for deciding treatment. CKD has five stages, ranging from nearly normal kidney function (stage 1) to kidney failure (stage 5), which requires dialysis or kidney transplant.

Understanding your stage can help you learn how to take control and slow the progression of kidney disease. The stages are not based on symptoms alone. Instead, they reflect how effectively the kidneys eliminate waste from the blood by using an equation that estimates kidney function, known as glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Determining your GFR requires a simple blood test.

How did I get kidney disease?

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top causes of kidney diseases. Another form of CKD is glomerulonephritis, a general term for many types of kidney inflammation. Genetic diseases, autoimmune diseases, birth defects, acute kidney failure and other problems can also cause kidney disease. Take a 3-minute Kidney Disease Risk Quiz to see if you’re at risk (located in the DaVita Educational Tools section).

How do I slow the progression of kidney disease?

Ways to take control:

• Choose a healthcare team that specializes in your stage of kidney disease.
• Don’t smoke.
• Exercise.
• Take medications as prescribed by your doctor.
• Eat right by limiting foods that are high in protein, saturated fats, phosphorus, potassium and sodium, all of which can put extra strain on your kidneys.
• Know more about medications. Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements can be very harmful. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medications.

Related kidney disease education articles on DaVita.com

• Definition, Causes and Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease
• New to Kidney Disease
• Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease