CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Having chronic kidney disease means that for some time your kidneys have not been working the way they should. Your kidneys have the important job of filtering your blood. They remove waste products and extra fluid and flush them your body as urine. When your kidneys don't work right, wastes build up in your blood make you sick

What causes chronic kidney diease?

Chronic kidney disease is caused by damage to the kidneys. The most common causes of this damage are:

High blood pressure

High blood sugar (diabetes).

Other things that can lead to chronic kidney disease include:

Kidney diseases and infections, such as polycystic kidney disease, pyelonephritis, and glomerulonephritits, or a kidney problem you were born with.

A narrowed or blocked renal artery. The renal artery carries blood to the kidneys.

Long-term use of medicines that can damage the kidneys. Examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen (Advil) and celecoxib (Celebrex).

What are the symptoms?

Urinate less than normal

Have swelling from fluid buildup in your tissues. This is called edema (say "ih-DEE-muh").

Feel very tired or sleepy

Not feel hungry, or you may lose weight without trying.

Often feel sick to your stomach (nauseated) or vomit.

Have trouble sleeping.

Have headaches or trouble thinking clearly.