CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease)
Overview:
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood. If left unmanaged, CKD can advance to kidney failure, necessitating dialysis or a kidney transplant to sustain life.
Causes:
CKD often develops as a result of underlying conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, recurrent kidney infections, glomerulonephritis, or polycystic kidney disease. Prolonged use of certain medications and genetic predispositions can also contribute to the gradual decline of kidney function.
Symptoms:
In its early stages, CKD may not present noticeable symptoms, making routine testing essential for early detection. As the disease progresses, patients may experience fatigue, swelling in the legs and face, frequent urination particularly at night, nausea, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, and elevated blood pressure.
Treatment:
Management of CKD focuses on slowing disease progression and alleviating symptoms. Controlling underlying conditions such as diabetes and hypertension is crucial, alongside dietary adjustments, fluid management, and medications to maintain blood pressure and prevent complications. In advanced stages, dialysis or kidney transplantation may become necessary to sustain kidney function.
Precautions:
Patients are advised to regularly monitor blood pressure and blood sugar levels, limit salt and protein intake, maintain proper hydration, and avoid nephrotoxic medications, including certain painkillers, without medical supervision.
Prevention:
A healthy lifestyle, encompassing a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and routine kidney function check-ups, can help prevent the onset of CKD or slow its progression.
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