Has your doctor told you that you have Stage 3 Kidney Disease? It's normal to feel a little scared and shocked when you hear these words. "Oh my God, what's going to happen next?", "Is my life limited?", etc. Many questions may come to your mind. But don't worry. This is not the end of your life. This is just a sign that you need to take more care of your health than usual. Let's talk about this today, clearly and simply, and find answers to all the questions you have in mind.
What exactly is stage 3 kidney disease?
Simply put, the two kidneys in our body are like two super filters. Their main job is to filter out waste and unwanted substances from the blood and excrete them as urine. Kidney disease is when the function of these two filters gradually decreases.
There are 5 stages of kidney disease. Stage 3 means your kidneys have reduced their function to about half of normal. Imagine a situation where 50 out of 100 machines in a factory are not working.
Doctors measure this with a test called GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate). Simply put, this GFR value tells you how much blood your kidneys can filter per minute. In stage 3, this GFR value is between 30 and 59. This also has two parts, 3A and 3B. In stage 3B, the risk is a little higher.
What are the symptoms and health effects felt at this stage?
The good news is that most people in stage 3 don't experience any specific symptoms. However, some people may experience some symptoms.
- Swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles.
- Back pain (where the kidneys are located).
- Changes in urination pattern (more or less urination).
However, more dangerous than these symptoms are the side effects of decreased kidney function. These are the things we really need to pay attention to.
| Possible health problem | Simply explained |
|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure | The kidneys cannot help control blood pressure. In addition, high blood pressure damages the kidneys even more. It's a vicious cycle that works both ways. |
| Anemia | The kidneys produce a hormone (Erythropoietin) that helps make red blood cells. When the kidneys fail, this hormone becomes insufficient, leading to anemia. This can make you feel tired and lifeless all the time. |
| Bone Disease | The kidneys help keep bones strong by activating vitamin D. When this process is impaired, bones become weak and begin to ache. |
If this condition is left untreated and uncontrolled, the disease can progress to stage 4. Stage 4 is a very serious condition that is very close to kidney failure. If you reach that stage, you will need dialysis treatment, which is a machine that cleans your blood, or a kidney transplant, to survive.
How to control stage 3? What should we do?
The first thing to understand is that the damage that has already been done cannot be completely reversed. But don't worry. There are many things we can do to stop further kidney damage and to control other diseases that have developed. This is the most crucial moment of your life.
Lifestyle change
It is very important to follow these things exactly.
| What we should do | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Meeting the doctor on the scheduled date | This is essential to monitor your condition and make any necessary changes. You may also need to see a kidney specialist (Nephrologist). |
| Blood pressure and diabetes control | These are two of the biggest enemies of the kidneys. Controlling these two can greatly reduce the damage to the kidneys. |
| Changing diet | This is very important. Your doctor will advise you to limit foods high in protein, salt, potassium, and cholesterol. |
| Completely abstaining from smoking | Smoking damages the channels that supply blood to the kidneys. |
| Exercise and weight control | Maintaining a healthy weight is beneficial for overall health. |
| Avoiding certain painkillers | Some pain relievers (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen can damage your kidneys. Ask your doctor before taking any medication. |
Medicines that the doctor can prescribe
Depending on your condition, your doctor may prescribe medications like these.
- Blood pressure lowering medications: Medications like ACE inhibitors or ARBs.
- Diuretics: They help to remove unnecessary fluids and waste products that accumulate in the body through urine.
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs.
- Treatment for anemia: Erythropoietin injections, which help produce red blood cells.
- Vitamin D and Phosphate binders: Keep bones strong and control phosphate levels in the blood.
Stage 3 kidney disease is not the end of your life. It is a great opportunity to rethink your lifestyle and embark on a new path to health.
Research has shown that not everyone in stage 3 will progress to stage 4. That means that if you follow your doctor's advice exactly and make lifestyle changes, you can definitely maintain your current level of diabetes and live a healthy, long life. It just takes dedication and self-discipline. Join your doctor on this journey.
Take-Home Message
- Stage 3 kidney disease means that the kidneys have lost about half of their function. But this is not a death sentence.
- Although kidney damage cannot be reversed, it is possible to stop or delay the disease from getting worse.
- Your main goals should be to keep your blood pressure and diabetes (if you have them) well controlled.
- Take the medicine prescribed by the doctor exactly on time. Do not stop taking any medicine without thinking.
- Follow the dietary advice (reducing salt, protein, and potassium) exactly.
- Don't skip any scheduled clinics and medical tests. Your life depends on it.
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