You have two kidneys, each about the size of your fist. Their main job is to filter your blood. They remove wastes and extra water, which become urine. They also keep the body's chemicals balanced, help control blood pressure, and make hormones.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means that your kidneys are damaged and can't filter blood as they should. This damage can cause wastes to build up in your body. It can also cause other problems that can harm your health. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of CKD.
The kidney damage occurs slowly over many years. Many people don't have any symptoms until their kidney disease is very advanced. Blood and urine tests are the only way to know if you have kidney disease.
Treatments cannot cure kidney disease, but they may slow kidney disease. They include medicines to lower blood pressure, control blood sugar, and lower cholesterol. CKD may still get worse over time. Sometimes it can lead to kidney failure. If your kidneys fail, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplantation.
You can take steps to keep your kidneys healthier longer:
- Choose foods with less salt (sodium)
- Control your blood pressure; your health care provider can tell you what your blood pressure should be
- Keep your blood sugar in the target range, if you have diabetes
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
- Choose foods that are healthy for your heart: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Be physically active
- Don't smoke
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, from the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Read the full topic on MedlinePlus
Medicines whose label mentions chronic kidney disease
These medicines list it among their uses on the official FDA label. This is not a treatment recommendation: only a clinician who knows your history can decide what’s right for you.
- Amlodipine And Atorvastatin
- Lisinopril And Hydrochlorothiazide
- Lisinopril
- Lisinopril And Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets
- Amlodipine Besylate
- Amlodipine And Olmesartan Medoxomil
- Metoprolol
- Metoprolol Tartrate
- Metoprolol Succinate Er Tablets
- Metoprolol Succinate
- Losartan Potassium
- Losartan Potassium And Hydrochlorothiazide
When to get urgent help
If symptoms come on suddenly, are severe, or you’re worried, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department. For anything less urgent, contact your doctor.
Questions to ask your doctor
- What is the likely cause in my case, and what tests might I need?
- What are my treatment options, and what are the trade-offs?
- Which symptoms mean I should seek urgent care?
- What changes to diet, activity or habits would help?