Understanding Kidney Disease: A Beginner's Guide

What Are Your Kidneys and What Do They Do?

Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of your fist, located just below your rib cage on either side of your spine. Despite their small size, they perform critical functions that keep your entire body healthy and in balance.

Every day, your kidneys filter about 200 liters of blood, removing waste products and excess fluid to produce approximately 1-2 liters of urine. But filtering is just one of their many jobs.

Key Functions of Healthy Kidneys

• Remove waste products and toxins from your blood
• Balance your body fluids and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium)
• Release hormones that regulate blood pressure
• Produce a form of Vitamin D for bone health
• Control red blood cell production through erythropoietin
• Balance the acid-base levels in your body

What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?

Chronic Kidney Disease means your kidneys are damaged and gradually losing their ability to function properly. The damage usually happens slowly over many years, which is why CKD is often called a "silent disease" — most people don't feel any symptoms until significant damage has occurred.

CKD is measured by your Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), which estimates how well your kidneys filter blood. A normal GFR is 90 or higher. Lower numbers indicate reduced kidney function.

The Five Stages of CKD

1. Stage 1 (GFR 90+): Kidney damage with normal function. Focus on protecting remaining function.
2. Stage 2 (GFR 60-89): Mild reduction in function. Lifestyle changes and monitoring are important.
3. Stage 3 (GFR 30-59): Moderate reduction. You may start experiencing symptoms. Close medical management needed.
4. Stage 4 (GFR 15-29): Severe reduction. Time to prepare for dialysis or transplant.
5. Stage 5 (GFR below 15): Kidney failure. Dialysis or transplant is necessary to survive.

Common Causes of Kidney Disease

Understanding what causes kidney disease can help you take steps to protect your kidney health. In the Philippines, the most common causes are:

• Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2): High blood sugar damages the filtering units of your kidneys over time
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Puts extra strain on the small blood vessels in your kidneys
• Glomerulonephritis: Inflammation of the kidney's filtering units
• Polycystic Kidney Disease: An inherited condition causing cysts to grow in the kidneys
• Prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract from kidney stones or enlarged prostate
• Recurring kidney infections
• Overuse of certain medications, especially pain relievers (NSAIDs)

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Early kidney disease often has no symptoms, making regular check-ups essential. As the disease progresses, you might notice:

• Fatigue and weakness — feeling tired even after rest
• Swelling in your feet, ankles, hands, or face
• Changes in urination — more or less frequent, foamy urine, blood in urine
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
• Difficulty concentrating or mental fogginess
• Persistent itching
• Muscle cramps, especially at night

Your Journey Ahead

A kidney disease diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but remember: you are not alone, and there is hope. With proper treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and the support of your healthcare team, many people with kidney disease live full, active lives.

At Avitus Kidney Care, we are committed to walking this journey with you. Our team of nephrologists, nurses, dietitians, and social workers are here to provide comprehensive care tailored to your needs.

Next Steps

• Schedule a consultation with one of our nephrologists
• Bring your medical records and a list of current medications
• Write down any questions or concerns you want to discuss
• Consider bringing a family member for support
• Explore our other resources to learn more about treatment options