Chronic Kidney Disease

Understanding the causes, symptoms and treatment options for chronic kidney disease.

You are not alone in your chronic kidney disease diagnosis.

At Lakeland Regional Health, people are at the heart of what we do. So when it comes to navigating a diagnosis, such as CKD, we will work together to create a custom plan for your unique care needs.

About 1 in 7 American Adults Have chronic kidney disease. Most adults who have CKD don’t know they have it. CKD is a “silent disease,” so it’s difficult to recognize certain symptoms. If you’ve received a diagnosis, early action can help slow progression of the disease and protect against the need for dialysis.

What Your Kidneys Do and Why They Are Important

Kidneys filter your body's blood.

They remove waste by filtering a half cup of blood every minute. This helps to control important things like blood pressure.

Your kidney function affects every system in your body.

Damage to your kidneys can lead to severe health issues in other areas of your body.

Kidneys are hard to recover once they are damaged.

This makes it especially important to take care of them to the best of your ability.

What causes CKD?

The two leading risk factors:

Damage caused by these two health conditions can cause your kidneys to not filter blood properly, leading to chronic kidney disease.

Other risk factors:

How CKD is Diagnosed

Chronic kidney disease is measured in Stages 1 through 5. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a calculation used to determine the Stages. It measures how well your kidneys are filtering blood. eGFR is included in most comprehensive blood tests, making it easy for your doctor to track.

If your doctor sees that your kidneys are functioning poorly, they will tell you your next steps to begin treatment.

>60

eGFR greater than 60 is a normal range

<60

eGFR lower than 60 may mean you have CKD

Stages of CKD

Stage 1

eGFR: 90+

Kidney Function: 90%

Little kidney damage with normal kidney function.

Stage 2

eGFR: 60-89

Kidney Function: 80%

Kidney damage with partial function loss.

Stage 3a

eGFR: 45-59

Kidney Function: 60%

Mild to moderate loss of function.

Stage 3b

eGFR: 30-44

Kidney Function: 40%

Moderate to severe loss of function.

Stage 4

eGFR: 15-29

Kidney Function: 20%

Severe loss of function.

Stage 5

eGFR: <15

Kidney Function: 10%

Kidney failure. Need treatment to live.

Preventing CKD From Getting Worse

When your kidneys lose function, it is unlikely that they can be restored. This makes it essential to take care of them now.

Taking early action can help with:

How You Can Help Slow Down Progression

Remember, we are here for you at Lakeland Regional Health through each step of your healthcare journey. Here are the steps you can take to help manage your CKD. They are also beneficial for keeping other systems in your body in good health, especially your cardiovascular system.

Chronic Kidney Disease

Understanding the causes, symptoms and treatment options for chronic kidney disease.

What Your Kidneys Do and Why They Are Important

Kidneys filter your body's blood.

They remove waste by filtering a half cup of blood every minute. This helps to control important things like blood pressure.

Your kidney function affects every system in your body.

Damage to your kidneys can lead to severe health issues in other areas of your body.

Kidneys are hard to recover once they are damaged.

This makes it especially important to take care of them to the best of your ability.

What causes CKD?

>60

<60

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3a

Stage 3b

Stage 4

Stage 5

Preventing CKD From Getting Worse

How You Can Help Slow Down Progression

If you have diabetes, make sure you are actively managing it.

Track and control your blood pressure.

Keep cholesterol under control to decrease the likelihood of damage to blood vessels.

Talk to a dietician to discuss a kidney-friendly diet.

Tell your doctor about your current medications, including over-the- counter drugs and vitamins.

Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.

Refrain from smoking. Cigarettes can increase kidney damage.

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North Campus / Hollis Cancer Center

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