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.
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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
+91 8828828100
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