Chronic Kidney Diseases: Know how they affect you

Living with a chronic kidney disease can be quite challenging at times and experts from the best hospital in India suggest that the best way to manage the problem is by seeking early medical intervention. Now, this can be possible only if you watch out for the symptoms and go for a proper evaluation. Reading this blog will help you understand more about chronic kidney disease symptoms in females & males and how you can manage them. 

What is a Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic kidney disease or CKD refers to the gradual loss of kidney function, over a long span of time (more than 3 months), owing to the damage caused by an underlying medical condition. Initially, the patients do not feel any unusual symptoms, however, as the condition progresses, the symptoms become evident and keep on aggravating, eventually leading to end-stage kidney failure, a serious complication that calls for the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. People with chronic kidney diseases may also develop complications related to other organs including heart diseases and stroke. 

5 Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease and how They Affect You

Chronic kidney diseases progress through 5 different stages. The adversity of the symptoms, as well as the treatments, vary based on these. 

• Stage 1 of Chronic Kidney Disease (GFR is greater than 90 per cent)

Stage 1 of chronic kidney disease is marked by very mild damage, less than 10 per cent, that is often unnoticeable. The patients typically experience no symptoms and the condition may be diagnosed during a routine blood assessment performed for some other condition. At this stage, doctors generally focus on making lifestyle modifications to slow down the damage. You may be recommended to take a healthy diet, manage your high blood pressure, control blood sugar, improve your sleep cycle, refrain from smoking, avoid stress and stay physically active. 

• Stage 2 of Chronic Kidney Disease (GFR is between 60 to 89 per cent)

Stage 2 of chronic kidney disease is also characterized by mild damage, slightly more than stage 1. In this stage, too, the patients may not experience any symptoms as the kidneys are still functioning well and the condition is diagnosed accidentally. Some non-specific indications include frequent urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, oedema and traces of blood in the urine. Treatments at this stage include lifestyle modifications and medications to manage underlying factors like diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular ailments. 

• Stage 3 of Chronic Kidney Disease (GFR is between 30 to 59 per cent)

Stage 3 is further classified as Stage 3A and Stage 3B. The former is characterized by a GFR between 45 to 59 per cent and the latter between 30 to 44 per cent. While some people may experience symptoms like back pain, decreased appetite, oedema, increased urination, fatigue and weakness, others may be completely asymptomatic. It is important to understand that kidney disease symptoms in women are almost the same as those in men.  Treatment during this stage focuses on making certain changes in the diet. medication, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, may also be prescribed. You will not need dialysis or a kidney transplant at this stage.

• Stage 4 of Chronic Kidney Disease (GFR is between 15 to 29 per cent)

Stage 4 is characterized by moderate to severe damage, which means that you are likely to experience noticeable symptoms, primarily due to the build-up of wastes and toxins in the body, which the kidneys are incapable of removing. The symptoms are somewhat similar to those experienced during stage 3, however, they tend to become more severe. Some patients may also experience breathing difficulties, muscle twitching, cramps, reduced mental alertness and sleep-related problems. During this stage, the patients need more extensive treatment as the focus is on preventing kidney failure. Doctors may start discussing options like dialysis and kidney transplants. 

• Stage 5 of Chronic Kidney Disease (GFR is less than 15 per cent)

Stage 5 is the last stage and it is characterized by severe damage to the kidneys. The functioning capacity of the kidneys is lower than 85 per cent and there is excessive build-up of wastes and toxins in the body. While the kidneys of some patients are at the brim of failure, others have already failed and they are solely dependent on dialysis. At this stage, there are only two viable treatment options. Dialysis and kidney transplant. The latter generally serves as the bridge to transplant for patients who have not found a suitable donor yet.

Getting Your Life On Track

You can overcome certain challenges of living with chronic kidney disease with the help of simple lifestyle modifications. Here are a few tips that may come in handy. 

• Keep your blood pressure under control: The most important thing that you need to do to manage chronic kidney disease is to make sure that your blood pressure does not spike up. Hypertension is known to damage the kidneys and this can accelerate the progress of the disease. You need to aim at ensuring your blood pressure is lower than 140/90 mm Hg. 
• Manage your diabetes: If you have diabetes, it is very important to track your blood sugar levels on a regular basis and do your best to make sure that these are always in the safe zone. It is important to follow the guidelines recommended by your doctor and take all the medication on time. 
• Create a healthy meal plan: When it comes to your meals, it is important to choose wisely. While some foods may help to support kidney health, others may have a negative impact. Consult a certified dietician to get a personalized diet plan curated for you. 
• Stay physically active: Staging active and exercising on a regular basis can actually help to manage problems like diabetes and hypertension, which are known to damage the kidneys. These also help to improve blood flow to the kidneys and boost your strength.
• Get enough sleep: The only time that our body gets to rest is when we are sleeping and it is very important to make sure that you are getting enough of it. People with chronic kidney disease often experience problems related to sleep. The problem can be taken care of by consulting a specialist. 
• Quit smoking and drinking: If you have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease or are at risk of developing the same, it is important to refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol at all costs. You should also avoid using any kind of tobacco products. 

Chronic kidney disease symptoms in women and men can be managed with proper and timely medical intervention. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with the same, it is advisable to consult the best kidney specialists in India at Surya Hospitals.