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