Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease is diagnosed and treated by the Urology Division of Premier Medical Group.

Chronic Kidney Disease

The kidneys are located just under the ribcage in the back, one on each side. The right kidney is located below the liver, so it’s a little lower than the left one. Each adult kidney is about the size of a fist. Each has an outer layer called the cortex, which contains the filtering units. The kidneys have several functions. The main purpose of the kidney is to separate urea, mineral salts, toxins, and other waste products from the blood. The kidneys also conserve water, salts, and electrolytes. At least one kidney must function properly for life to be maintained.

Some of the most common kidney diseases and conditions are: kidney stones, glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis, diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephritis, rhabdomyolysis, polycystic kidney disease, and renal tubular acidosis.

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the permanent loss of kidney function. CKD may be the result of physical injury or a disease that damages the kidneys, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. When the kidneys are damaged, they do not remove wastes and extra water from the blood as well as they should. There can be pains that are similar to pancreatitis before diagnosis.

CKD tends to run in families, so you are more at risk if there is a family history of kidney disease. Early stages of chronic kidney disease rarely show any symptoms. The disease often develops so gradually that many people don’t realize they’re sick until they are rushed to the hospital for life-saving dialysis.

Risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease

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Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. High blood pressure is the second leading cause. Risk factors for CKD are diabetes, high blood pressure, and family history of kidney failure. African Americans are nearly four times as likely to develop kidney failure as white Americans. American Indians have nearly three times the risk compared to whites and Hispanic Americans have nearly twice the risk of non-Hispanic whites.

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