The Facts About Kidney Disease

Kidney disease affects an estimated 37 million people in the United States, but about 90 percent of them don't know they have it. Early detection and prevention are essential to managing the disease. Know your family history, maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, and get your blood checked to test your kidney function.

Healthy kidneys are tied to healthy sexual function. The side effects of kidney disease can include erectile dysfunction (ED), lack of vaginal lubrication and decreased libido. Staying healthy by controlling your blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar can help you prevent this condition from becoming severe.

The primary function of the kidneys is to filter blood in order to remove waste and regulate the amount of water in the body. They also produce hormones that regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

The kidneys have a great regenerative capacity and can maintain normal function for decades despite occasional damage, but some irreversible damage may occur over time. When this happens, kidney function is diminished and the kidneys can no longer filter and excrete impurities from the blood as effectively.

A few issues can affect kidney function. One of the most common is chronic kidney inflammation, known as chronic pyelonephritis, in which bacteria infect the kidney. If left untreated, an infection can cause lasting damage to the kidneys, or the bacteria can spread to the bloodstream and cause an infection.

Kidney stones are another common issue. They form when minerals naturally found in the blood, such as calcium and oxalate, bind together and harden in the urinary tract. Kidney stones are typically a painful condition that is usually treated with medication, but in some cases, may require surgical removal.

Chronic kidney disease is a gradual reduction of kidney function. It usually affects both kidneys and is often a complication of other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or a history of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

As the kidneys become less efficient at filtering waste, the body functions less effectively. This can lead to complications such as high blood pressure, fluid buildup or heart disease.

You can manage chronic kidney disease with medication, diet and lifestyle changes, but it frequently progresses to kidney failure, which means the kidneys can no longer function normally. Frequent checkups and lab tests are crucial for people with chronic kidney disease, as the condition may progress faster than expected.

There are many risk factors for kidney disease, including:

• Age. Kidney disease is more common in older people.
• Diabetes. People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at higher risk of developing kidney disease.
• Genetics. If someone in your family has kidney disease, you may be more likely to develop it.
• High blood pressure. The leading cause of kidney disease, high blood pressure can cause tiny blood vessels in the kidneys to narrow. This reduces the flow of blood and oxygen to the kidneys, which can damage or destroy them over time.
• History of kidney stones. People who have a history of kidney stones are more likely to develop kidney disease.
• Obesity. People who are obese or overweight are at an increased risk of developing kidney disease.

People can experience many different symptoms of kidney disease. Some are subtle, such as fatigue, decreased appetite, and swelling in the feet and ankles. Other symptoms are more noticeable, such as nausea, vomiting and blood in the urine.

Some people with kidney disease don't experience any symptoms. If you have significant kidney damage, you may experience a wide variety of symptoms, including cramps, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue and dry, itchy skin. People with minor kidney damage may experience milder symptoms.

One of the most important aspects to remember when dealing with kidney disease is that it can affect people differently depending on their age, race and other factors. It's important to talk with your doctor about your symptoms.

Kidney disease can affect many aspects of a person's health, including their eyesight and skin. It can also cause a number of other health issues, such as heart disease and some types of cancer.

Kidney disease can significantly impact a person's daily life. For example, it may affect their ability to work or maintain intimate relationships.

Kidney disease is also linked to other health issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The main risk factors for kidney disease include age, family history and diet, in particular, a high salt intake.

Chronic kidney disease and kidney failure are diagnosed using urinalysis, an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) analysis, blood tests and/or a 24-hour urine test. An eGFR is a measure of how well your kidneys are working. Blood tests can help rule out other conditions, such as diabetes, that can cause similar symptoms.

Your doctor may also perform a physical exam to check for signs of kidney damage, such as swelling in your feet or ankles.

Kidney disease progresses in five stages. Each stage is defined by the level of damage the kidneys have sustained and how far the disease has progressed. The earlier the condition is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances of preventing kidney failure.

Early chronic kidney disease (CKD) is diagnosed when a person has two abnormal lab tests, such as high blood pressure and high creatinine, a waste product that comes from the normal wear and tear of the body's muscles. Patients in the early stages—stages 1 to 3—of CKD are generally asymptomatic.

Advanced CKD is diagnosed when a person's kidney function has dropped below 40 percent. Patients in later stages—stages 4 to 5—are recognized to have severe kidney damage.

Many people who have kidney disease experience changes in libido and erection difficulties. These changes can be due to high blood pressure and blood sugar, which can lead to erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness and decreased libido.

Hormone levels can also be affected by kidney disease. For example, low testosterone levels can cause erectile dysfunction in men and reduced libido in women. You should talk with your doctor about how to manage your sexual health if you are experiencing the impact of kidney disease.

Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common problems experienced by men with chronic kidney disease. The main causes of ED include decreased blood flow to the penis due to a blockage in the kidneys or the constriction of the blood vessels in the penis. Other causes include damage to nerves that control erections and prostate problems.

Erectile dysfunction is typically treated with medications or injections into the penis to unblock the blood vessels and restore blood flow. If you have ED, talk to your doctor about treatment options.

If you're at risk for kidney disease, prevention begins with healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining an appropriate weight, eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding excessive alcohol and smoking.

If you have a family history of kidney disease, ask your doctor about blood tests for early detection. If you have diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol, work with your doctor to manage those conditions and keep them at acceptable levels.

In many cases, early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the progression of kidney disease.

Kidney disease can't be cured, so treatment in its early stages focuses on slowing the progression of the disease. Losing just one kidney can significantly impact your life, but you can manage with the remaining kidney if you keep up the necessary treatments and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Given that early detection is essential, if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney disease, your doctor may advise you to have urine and blood tests on a regular basis.

Managing kidney disease as it progresses requires medication and, in severe cases, dialysis.

Dialysis is a treatment that uses machines to filter blood when the kidneys are unable to do so. Though dialysis can be expensive, costs vary based on your health insurance coverage.

What are the most common kidney diseases?

The most common kidney diseases are:

• Acute kidney injury (AKI)
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Kidney cancer
• Kidney cysts 
• Kidney infections or pyelonephritis
• Kidney or renal stones 

These can all cause different symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, dark urine, and swelling in the feet and ankles.

What are the first signs of kidney disease?

One of the earliest signs of kidney disease is a change in urine color. People with kidney problems may see darker or lighter urine, or they may notice their urine has a strange odor.

Other signs of kidney disease include cramping in the calf muscles when walking or standing for long periods, swelling in the legs, fatigue, pain in the back or legs, and weight loss.

Can kidney disease be cured?

Chronic kidney disease cannot be cured, but you can treat the symptoms and prevent it from worsening. Treatment depends on the stage of your CKD, but the most common treatment is to maintain good health through lifestyle changes.