Are you concerned about your kidneys? Let's talk about Chronic Kidney Disease

The kidneys are two small, yet powerful organs in our body. They are like two of the most powerful filters in our body. They clean our blood and remove waste products, toxins, and excess water as urine. But imagine what happens when these two filters gradually fail? That is what we call Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) . This is when the kidneys gradually lose their ability to function over time.

Simply put, how important are the kidneys to us?

These two kidney beans are located on either side of your spine, just below your rib cage. Each one is about the size of the palm of your hand.

Although their main job is to purify the blood, they also do many other important things:

• It maintains the balance of electrolytes, such as salt and potassium, in our bodies.
• Produces hormones needed to control blood pressure.
• Helps keep our bones strong.
• Helps make red blood cells .

So imagine, if the two kidneys, which do so much work, become weak, we start to get sick due to the waste that accumulates in the body.

What are the 5 stages of kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease is divided into five stages. These stages are determined by how well your kidneys are filtering waste products from your blood. Doctors do blood and urine tests to find out exactly which stage you are in.

The main measurement used in this is the GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) . Simply put, this measures how many milliliters of blood your kidneys are filtering per minute. It also checks the level of a waste product called creatinine in the blood. If the kidneys are working well, this creatinine is excreted in the urine. When the kidneys are weak, creatinine starts to accumulate in the blood.

• Stage 1: Very mild damage. GFR may be normal.
• Stage 2: Mildly decreased kidney function.
• Stage 3: Moderately decreased kidney function.
• Stage 4: Severely reduced kidney function.
• Stage 5: Complete kidney failure. This is called end-stage kidney disease .

What are the symptoms? Often the signs are not visible at first.

The most dangerous thing about this disease is that in the early stages, there are no visible symptoms. It is only when the disease becomes more severe that symptoms begin to appear. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of these symptoms.

What are the main causes of kidney disease?

Kidney disease occurs when the kidneys become damaged and unable to filter blood properly. In chronic kidney disease, this damage occurs gradually over many years.

The two main and most common reasons for this are:

1. High Blood Pressure

2. Diabetes

In addition to these two main reasons, there are other reasons.

• Glomerulonephritis: This is when the fine filtering units inside the kidneys are damaged.
• Polycystic kidney disease: This is a genetic condition that is passed down through generations. Many fluid-filled cysts form in the kidneys, reducing their function.
• Urinary tract obstruction: Blockage of urine flow due to urinary stones, enlarged prostate in men, or cancer.
• Vesicoureteral reflux: This is when urine flows back up from the bladder to the kidneys.
• Frequent kidney infections (Pyelonephritis).
• Diseases like lupus in which the body's immune system turns against itself.

Who is at higher risk of developing this disease?

Anyone can develop kidney disease, but if you have the following conditions, your risk is slightly higher.

• If you have diabetes .
• If you have high blood pressure .
• If you have heart disease .
• If someone in the family has had kidney disease (hereditary influence).
• If you are over 60 years old.
• If you use NSAID painkillers (e.g. Ibuprofen, Diclofenac) for a long time without medical advice.
• If there is any abnormality in the structure or size of the kidneys.

How is it treated? What can we do?

Chronic kidney disease cannot be completely cured. However, there are many things we can do to control the damage to the kidneys and maintain their function for as long as possible .

Lifestyle changes

• See your doctor on time: See your doctor or nephrologist on time and get tested.
• Control diabetes and blood pressure: This is the most important thing. Keep your blood sugar and pressure under control.
• Avoid medications that are harmful to the kidneys: Be sure to ask your doctor, especially when taking painkillers.
• Kidney-friendly diet: Follow a diet that limits salt (sodium), potassium, and protein. It is best to talk to a dietitian about this and get advice.
• Avoid smoking completely.
• Exercise more days a week.
• Maintain a healthy weight.

Treatment with medication

Your doctor may prescribe different medications depending on the cause and stage of your condition.

• (ACE) inhibitors or (ARB) type medications to lower blood pressure.
• Diuretic medications to remove extra fluid from the body.
• Medications to lower cholesterol levels.
• If you have anemia, take medications that help make red blood cells.
• Medicines like vitamin D to keep bones strong.

What if the kidneys fail completely? (End-Stage Kidney Disease)

If the disease reaches stage 5, meaning the kidneys have almost completely failed, other options are needed to survive. Because if the kidneys stop working and waste products accumulate in the body, it can lead to death.

There are two main options:

1. Kidney dialysis (Dialysis)

2. Kidney Transplant

1. Kidney dialysis (Dialysis)

This involves using a machine to artificially perform the blood-purifying function that your kidneys should be doing. There are two main methods:

• Hemodialysis: In this, your blood is sent to a machine that removes waste products, extra water, and salt from your body, and then the cleaned blood is returned to your body. This is usually done in a hospital setting, usually three times a week, for about four hours each time.
• Peritoneal Dialysis: In this, a tube (catheter) is inserted into your abdominal cavity and a special fluid is injected through it. After the fluid absorbs the waste products from your body, the fluid is removed and new fluid is replaced. This is a method that the patient can do at home.

2. Kidney Transplant

This involves surgically replacing a failing kidney with a healthy kidney. Since a healthy person can live well with one kidney, kidneys can be obtained from two sources for this purpose.

• From a living person: Usually from someone like a family member or friend.
• From a deceased person: A kidney from a deceased person who has expressed interest in organ donation.

What should we do to protect ourselves from this disease?

It is much more important to prevent kidney disease before it develops than to treat it after it develops.

• Follow a healthy lifestyle: A balanced diet, adequate exercise, and avoiding smoking and unnecessary alcohol are very important.
• Control your blood pressure and sugar levels: If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, control them properly. Take your medications as prescribed.
• Be careful with painkillers: Do not take painkillers for a long time without medical advice.
• Drink enough water.
• Get regular medical checkups: If you have risk factors, get your blood and urine tested at least once a year to monitor the condition of your kidneys.

Kidney disease is a lifelong condition. But there's no need to panic. With proper management and treatment, most people live happy, normal lives. The most important thing is to be an active member of your treatment team. Talk openly with your doctor, ask questions, and follow his or her instructions exactly.

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