Kidney damage doesn’t happen overnight. Kidney function gradually decreases over time, often unnoticed by the patient. Most individuals do not experience symptoms until kidney function is severely reduced, which is why it may seem like it suddenly happened. However, once you understand the major causes of chronic kidney disease, you’ll realize it’s not something that happens overnight. In this article, we will discuss the three major causes of chronic kidney disease and why individuals with these conditions should be more proactive about kidney health.
What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is diagnosed when the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a measure of kidney function, falls below 60. When kidney function drops below 15, it is considered end-stage kidney failure, and dialysis or a kidney transplant may be necessary.
1. Diabetes: The Most Common Cause
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. One in three to four people with diabetes will develop kidney disease, eventually progressing to end-stage kidney failure.
More than half of dialysis patients with end-stage kidney disease are diabetic.
How Diabetes Damages the Kidneys: High blood sugar levels damage blood vessels and organs throughout the body, including the kidneys. The high blood sugar in the bloodstream affects the small blood vessels and cells in the kidneys, leading to kidney damage.
The longer the duration of diabetes, the greater the risk of developing kidney disease. The average time for Type 1 diabetes to progress to diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease) is 16.5 years, while Type 2 diabetes progresses in 9.5 years on average.
Early Signs of Diabetic Kidney Disease: One of the earliest signs of kidney damage in diabetics is microalbuminuria, which is the presence of small amounts of albumin (a type of protein) in the urine. This is detected before kidney function is significantly impaired.
2. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Hypertension is another leading cause of chronic kidney disease. Research shows that 1 in 5 people with high blood pressure will develop kidney complications.
How High Blood Pressure Damages the Kidneys: High blood pressure increases the pressure in the small blood vessels of the kidneys. This extra pressure damages the blood vessels and glomeruli (the filtering units of the kidneys), impairing kidney function.
Hypertension can both cause kidney disease and result from it. As kidney function decreases, the kidneys are less able to control fluid and blood pressure, leading to higher blood pressure.
3. Glomerular Disease
Glomerular disease, such as IgA nephropathy, is the third major cause of kidney damage. The glomerulus is the part of the kidney that filters blood. When it becomes damaged, proteins and blood can leak into the urine, leading to hematuria (blood in the urine) and proteinuria (protein in the urine).
Symptoms of Glomerular Disease:
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Protein in the urine (proteinuria)
- High blood pressure
Other Causes of Kidney Disease
In addition to diabetes, hypertension, and glomerular diseases, several other conditions can lead to kidney damage:
- Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): This hereditary condition causes fluid-filled cysts to develop in the kidneys, leading to kidney damage. PKD accounts for about 2% of dialysis patients in Korea.
- Congenital Defects: Structural abnormalities in the urinary tract can cause urine to backflow into the kidneys, leading to infections and kidney damage.
- Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus can cause kidney inflammation and damage.
- Overuse of Painkillers: Chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can lead to kidney damage.
Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease
Certain factors increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease:
- Age: Kidney function naturally declines with age.
- Cardiovascular Diseases: Conditions like heart disease often coexist with kidney disease.
- Obesity: Individuals with higher body mass indices (BMIs) are at higher risk.
- Diabetes and Hypertension: These two conditions are the leading risk factors for kidney disease.
- High Cholesterol: Elevated levels of cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol increase the risk of kidney damage.
Early Detection and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease
Early detection and management are crucial for preventing the progression of chronic kidney disease. If you have diabetes, hypertension, a family history of kidney disease, or other risk factors, it is important to get regular kidney function tests, such as urine tests (for protein and albumin) and blood tests (for kidney function markers).
Proactive Management: If you are at risk, monitoring your kidney function through regular checkups is essential. Lifestyle changes, such as controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking, are critical in managing kidney health.
Conclusion
The three most common causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes, hypertension, and glomerular disease. If you have any of these conditions, it’s important to manage them carefully to protect your kidney health. Regular checkups, lifestyle modifications, and monitoring kidney function can help slow the progression of kidney disease and improve quality of life.