Chronic Kidney Disease

The kidneys are organs that are similar to a shape of a bean seed. Their main function is to remove waste products and excess water from the blood. The kidneys play a huge role in regulating levels of various minerals such as calcium, sodium, and potassium in the blood. The kidneys also help control blood pressure and make red blood cells.

Chronic kidney disease is when a person gradually looses the function of the kidneys. This happens gradually and over time, it could be a month or maybe even years. Acute kidney failure develops in response to a disorder that directly affects the kidney or neglect. With the correct treatment one can completely recover from this disease.

Common causes of chronic kidney disease are high blood pressure, infections or urinary blockages, diabetes, family history of the disease, age and high blood pressure. Chronic kidney disease can lead to kidney failure; however, early treatment can slow or prevent the disease.

The symptoms of chronic kidney disease are:

Feeling tired and lack of energy

Feeling weak

Loss of or poor appetite

Not sleeping or trouble in sleeping

Not thinking clearly

Swelling of the feet and ankles

Trouble focusing and concentrating

Muscle cramping at night and urinating often in the night

Puffiness around the eyes

Dry and itchy skin

Metallic taste in mouth

The five stages of chronic kidney disease is as follows,

Stage 1 - Slight kidney damage with normal or increased filtration

Stage 2 - Mild decrease in kidney function

Stage 3 - Moderate decrease in kidney function

Stage 4 - Severe decrease in kidney function

Stage 5 - Kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation

Chronic kidney disease is treated for High triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

Triglycerides are a type of fat. Triglyceride levels often are higher in people who have kidney disease, and Anemia. Doctors will also ask a person suffering from the disease to avoid certain foods and may also put the patient on a diet plan.

Chronic kidney disease can get worse over time even with the right treatment. Eventually the kidneys stop working and will lead to kidney failure. When this occurs, waste builds up in the body and becomes toxic. These toxins can cause vomiting, weakness, confusion and will lead to a coma.

Doctors would then need to treat this condition by using dialysis.

In order to prevent chronic kidney disease one should eat healthy food, have regular exercise, lower your blood pressure if suffering from high blood pressure, lower sugar levels if suffering from diabetics and quit smoking.

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