Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Causes and Risk Factors

Diabetes is the most common cause of CKD in many parts of the world. High sugar levels in the blood can damage the blood vessels in the kidney, leading to CKD. Kidney damage can occur in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, it is important to ensure that your blood sugar level is under control and monitor other related health issues such as high blood pressure. 

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, damages the blood vessels in the kidney and is the second-most common cause of CKD. If you have hypertension, it is vital to monitor and control your blood pressure, as high blood pressure can lead to other health issues. 

PKD is a common genetic disorder usually diagnosed with a kidney scan. In PKD, cysts develop inside the kidneys, impairing kidney function and leading to CKD. Though there is no cure for PKD, the growth rate of cysts and the condition’s progression can be slowed down. 

SLE, often referred to as lupus, is an autoimmune disease that usually affects young women. However, both men and women can develop this condition at any age. Lupus is a condition where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, including the kidneys, causing lupus nephritis. Lupus nephritis can lead to CKD and even end-stage kidney disease. If you have lupus, it is crucial that you are regularly tested for kidney function, as lupus nephritis may not display any additional symptoms at onset. 

Glomerulonephritis is a group of conditions that cause inflammation of tiny kidney filters called glomeruli. This typically leads to protein and red blood cells leaking into the urine. Glomerulonephritis can also affect other organs apart from the kidney. It is essential to be under the care of a nephrologist if you have any conditions classified as glomerulonephritis. 

Chronic pyelonephritis refers to the damage caused by repeated urinary tract infections and kidney inflammation. Causes of chronic pyelonephritis can vary, with urinary reflux as the most common cause. Repeated and prolonged inflammation of the kidneys leads to permanent damage and loss of kidney functions, eventually resulting in CKD. 

A high body mass index (BMI) increases metabolic requirements, making the kidneys work harder to filter waste. The increased workload poses a heightened risk of kidney damage when compounded over several years. Being overweight also increases the risk of developing diabetes and hypertension, the two leading causes of CKD.

Smoking affects all organs negatively, including the kidneys. Smoking can damage blood vessels, thereby contributing to heart-related conditions. Damage to the heart, blood vessels, or arteries can decrease the blood flow to the kidneys and lead to kidney damage over time.

Though kidney failure can occur at any age, those over the age of 60 are at a higher risk of developing CKD. Therefore, regular screenings are recommended if you are over 60 years. 

Inherited genetic diseases that can lead to CKD range from common ones like polycystic kidney disease (PKD) to rare ones like glomerulonephritis. If you have a history of kidney disease in the family, it is imperative to keep your doctor informed. 

Prolonged use of certain pain medications, such as over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or unregulated remedies not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), can affect the kidneys in the long term. Always discuss your medications with your doctor to minimize this risk.

Talk to your doctor about your concerns relating to the risk factors and determine if you need kidney function tests. You can also eliminate lifestyle-related risks by stopping smoking, starting a moderate exercise routine, adopting a kidney-friendly diet, and monitoring your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Work with your healthcare practitioner to keep your blood sugar under control to minimize potential kidney damage, and look out for changes in kidney function as CKD can occur within 2-5 years of Type 1 diabetes. Timely detection can slow the progression of CKD for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Find out more about the symptoms of chronic kidney disease. 

Early detection of CKD is important so that appropriate steps can be taken to help slow its progression. And since the early stages of CKD rarely exhibit any symptoms, diagnosis is usually done through health screenings: a urine test to measure the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) or protein-creatinine ratio (PCR) and a blood test to determine the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). 

Protein-creatinine ratio, or PCR, is a test that measures the protein levels in the urine. Leakage of protein into urine is a common sign of kidney damage, so this test is often used to help diagnose CKD.

The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) indicates kidney function and is obtained through a blood test. An eGFR below 60 ml/min indicates the onset of CKD. An eGFR of less than 15 mL/min indicates stage 5 CKD, also known as end-stage kidney disease. This is the start of kidney failure.

The prognosis depends on the stage at which your CKD is detected. Not all CKD leads to end-stage kidney disease or kidney failure. The progression of CKD can be slowed with careful monitoring and management. However, if kidney function continues to decline, treatment options for end-stage kidney disease need to be considered.