Kidney Facts
Meryem Tuncel Kara, M.D.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 26 million Americans. Millions of others are at increased risk, but aren’t aware of the disease. Efforts are underway to fight these numbers.
Those at a high risk for kidney disease will present with high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of kidney disease. CKD is a structural or functional kidney abnormality that lasts for at least three months, or a chronic and significant decrease in kidney function. The kidneys remove wastes and excess water from the blood, which are then combined to form urine. In addition to their filtering function, the kidneys secrete hormones to regulate bodily functions, including blood pressure, production of red blood cells and maintenance of healthy bones. The highest risk groups for CKD are people with diabetes, hypertension and family history of kidney disease. Early detection can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure, but gradual decline in kidney function does not usually cause symptoms or signs until the level of kidney function is severely impaired. The problem is often discovered when blood or urine tests are done for other reasons.
With advanced kidney dysfunction, patients may develop edema (swelling of the feet, ankle, or legs), high blood pressure, blood chemistry abnormalities, anemia (a decrease in red blood cells, which can cause fatigue and other symptoms) and bone disease. Patients with the most severe levels of kidney failure have a group of symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, swelling around the heart, nerve problems, and changes in mental status including drowsiness, seizures or coma.
