| The kidneys remove waste products and excess | | | | disease, because of the blood pressure effect on |
| fluid from the body through the urine. They also | | | | the blood vessels. |
| serve to regulate the sodium, potassium, | | | | Anyone can get chronic kidney disease at any |
| phosphorus and calcium levels. Additionally, the | | | | age. Early detection and treatment can often |
| kidneys remove toxins from the blood and | | | | keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse. |
| release hormones into the blood stream to | | | | Some of the symptoms of kidney disease could |
| regulate blood pressure, and to have strong | | | | include fatigue, concentration difficulty, a lack of |
| bones and to make more red blood cells. | | | | appetite, insomnia, swelling in the extremities (such |
| Chronic kidney disease involves damage to | | | | as feet and ankles), muscle cramps, dry skin and |
| kidneys where they can't regulate these bodily | | | | frequent urination. |
| functions anymore. Kidney disease problems | | | | If you have any of these conditions, see your |
| manifest themselves when wastes accumulate in | | | | doctor for help. You can work together to |
| the blood and you feel fatigued. Complications | | | | determine the cause of any of these symptoms. |
| include heart disease, high blood pressure, anemia, | | | | If it is chronic kidney disease, your doctor may |
| bone problems, and nerve damage. Often kidney | | | | recommend a special diet to minimize buildup of |
| disease occurs gradually over time. Kidney disease | | | | the waste products and fluid in your blood. Your |
| can lead to kidney failure, and once the kidneys | | | | doctor may recommend that you see a renal |
| fail, either a transplant or dialysis is needed to | | | | dietitian (they specialize in diets for kidney |
| stay alive. | | | | disease). |
| Two main causes of chronic kidney disease are | | | | The goal is to control the amount of protein, |
| high blood pressure and diabetes (although kidney | | | | phosphorus and sodium that you eat in order to |
| disease can also cause high blood pressure). For | | | | reduce the workload on your kidneys. This helps |
| diabetics, they have to monitor their blood sugar | | | | to keep your body healthy. |
| level. If it gets too high and can cause damage to | | | | This information is not meant to replace medical |
| other organs, such as to the kidneys, heart, | | | | advice. If you need medical advice see your |
| nerves, and eyes. While high blood pressure can | | | | physician. Your physician can work with you to |
| lead to strokes, heart attacks, or chronic kidney | | | | come up with a solution for your lasting health. |