Get the facts on kidney disease
Your kidneys (two bean-shaped organs located in your lower back) are your body’s filtration system, cleaning wastes and extra fluids from your body, and producing and balancing chemicals that are necessary for your body to function. Healthy kidneys also:
- Clean and filter your blood
- Produce urine
- Produce hormones
- Control blood pressure
- Keep bones strong
Following a kidney-friendly diet, managing health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension and not smoking may help your kidneys function better and longer, even when you have kidney disease.
The five stages of chronic kidney disease
There are five stages of chronic kidney disease. Stage 1 is the closest to healthy kidney function and Stage 5 requires dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Understanding your stage can help you learn how to take control and slow the progression of kidney disease. The stages of renal disease are not based on symptoms alone. Instead, they reflect how effectively the kidneys eliminate waste from the blood by using an equation that estimates kidney function, known as glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Determining your GFR requires a simple blood test from your doctor. Before that, you can use the GFR calculator to estimate your GFR.
Use the links below to learn about each stage of kidney disease:
Stage 1 with normal or high GFR (GFR > 90 mL/min)
Stage 2 Mild CKD (GFR = 60-89 mL/min)
Stage 3A Moderate CKD (GFR = 45-59 mL/min)
Stage 3B Moderate CKD (GFR = 30-44 mL/min)
Stage 4 Severe CKD (GFR = 15-29 mL/min)
Stage 5 End Stage CKD (GFR <15>
How did I get kidney disease?
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top causes of kidney diseases. Another form of CKD is glomerulonephritis, a general term for many types of kidney inflammation. Genetic diseases such as polycystic kidney disease (PKD); autoimmune diseases; birth defects; acute kidney failure; and other problems can also cause kidney disease.
Kidney Disease Basics Articles
How to slow progression of ckd
There are many ways to help delay kidney failure, especially when chronic kidney disease (CKD) is diagnosed in the earlier stages. Use the tips below and talk with a nephrologist for advice on how to slow the progression kidney disease.
What Is End Stage Kidney Disease?
End stage kidney disease (ESKD) is the last stage (stage five) of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This means kidneys are only functioning at 10 to 15 percent of their normal capacity. Kidneys are important organs that contribute to your overall well-being.
Kidney Disease Basics
Being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be overwhelming. Understanding your kidney disease, or renal disease, is the first step in taking control of your health. Read on for a broad overview of CKD, how to slow its progression.
What Is Kidney Failure?
Kidney disease comes in five stages. Stage 5 (also known as end stage renal disease, or ESRD) is when kidneys function below 10 to 15 percent of their normal capacity. This essentially is known as kidney failure occurs after having (CKD).