What are the stages of kidney disease?

 CKD can occur to anyone, but some people are more susceptible to it. It is more prevalent in old age and is more commonly found in natives of South Asia. The problem of CKD worsens in patients over the age of 65 years.

If you are suffering from chronic kidney disease, your kidneys have slowly stopped working properly. The damage caused is long-lasting and usually worsens with time. This worsening is categorised as different stages of chronic kidney disease.

The modern medical system has no cure for chronic kidney disease. Early diagnosis and treatment can help your disease reach a worsening condition. It has also been observed that many people live long and normal lives with CKD. And it is also important to consult a doctor regularly to manage your condition.

What are the CKD Stages?

The kidneys work to maintain a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals like sodium, calcium, and potassium in the body. These kidneys filter extra fluid and waste from your body through units called nephrons. They also produce hormones to control blood pressure, keep bones strong, and help make red blood cells.

The kidney’s filtering speed is called the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This GFR will be lowered when your kidneys are damaged. Blood tests help you show your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and different stages of damage. 

Also Read :What should I do if I am a patient with kidney failure? And What are the chances of recovery from kidney failure?

Stage 1 of Chronic Kidney Disease

At stage 1 chronic kidney disease (CKD), the kidney is damaged, and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is 90 ml/min or more. There are no significantly different kidney damage symptoms.

Common symptoms of stage 1 kidney disease

• The ways a person may discover they are in stage 1 CKD include:
• Slightly higher than normal levels of creatinine or urea in the blood
• Blood or proteins in the urine
• Kidney damage evidenced in MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound  
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) history

Stage 2 of Chronic Kidney Disease

A patient with stage 2 chronic kidney disease (CKD) has kidney damage. There is a slight decrease in their glomerular filtration rate (GFR) i.e., GFR ranges from 60-89 ml/min. Here also are no symptoms specific to indicate that the kidneys are damaged.

Signs of stage 2 kidney disease

• The ways a person may discover they are in stage 1 CKD include:
• Slightly higher than normal levels of creatinine or urea in the blood
• Presence of blood or proteins in urine
• Kidney damage evidenced in MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound  
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) history

Stage 3 of Chronic Kidney Disease

A person in stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) would have moderate kidney damage. This stage is further broken into two stages i.e., Stage 3A, with a decrease in glomerular filtration rate of 45-59 mL/min, and another is Stage 3B, with a decreased GFR of 30-44 mL/min. As we know that when kidney function declines, waste products start accumulating in the blood, causing a condition known as “uremia.”

In stage 3 A, a person is more likely to develop complications of kidney disease along with high blood pressure, anemia, and/or low bone (calcium) density.

Symptoms of stage 3 CKD

Symptoms that start to become visible in stage 3 are:

1. Change in urination (the urine becomes foamier; dark coloured, presence of blood; and urine amount is either more or less than normal)
2. Fluid retention or edema of extremities
3. Shortness of breath
4. Fatigue
5. Pain in kidneys
6. Sleep disorders due to muscle cramps or restless legs

Stage 4 of Chronic Kidney Disease

A person who is passing through stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) has advanced kidney damage. They find a severe decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), i.e., 15-30 ml/min. A person with stage 4 CKD is more likely to need dialysis or a kidney transplant in the near future.

As kidney function starts decreasing, waste products start accumulating in the blood, causing a condition known as uremia. In stage 4 CKD, a person develops complications relating to kidney disease such as high blood pressure, anemia, decrease in bone density, and CVDs.

• Symptoms that starts to become visible in stage 4 are:
• Bad breath because of urea buildup in the blood
• Difficulty in focussing and concentrating.
• Fatigue
• Fluid retention or edema
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in kidneys
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Nerve problems
• Sleep disorders due to muscle cramps or restless legs
• Metallic taste in the mouth

Change in urination (the urine becomes foamier; dark coloured, presence of blood; and urine amount is either more or less than normal)

Also Read :Things to know about Proteinuria

Treatment options for stage 4 CKD

Hemodialysis: The process of hemodialysis involves a dialysis machine that removes a small amount of a patient’s blood through a man-made membrane called a dialyzer to clean out the toxins that the kidneys naturally are unable to do and is then returned to the body.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD): Unlike hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis is a needle-free treatment. It can be performed at home.

Kidney transplant: This is a process of replacing the damaged kidney with a new donor kidney. It is a costlier process.

Stage 5 of Chronic Kidney Disease

A person with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) has advanced kidney damage. They find a severe decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), i.e., 15 ml/min or less. Stage 5 chronic kidney disease is also known as End stage renal disease (ESRD). At this stage, the kidneys have lost their ability to do their job effectively. Eventually, dialysis or a kidney transplant is required.

• Symptoms of stage 5 CKD
• Symptoms start to become visible in stage 5 are
• Bad breath because of urea buildup in the blood
• Difficulty in focussing and concentrating.
• Fatigue
• Fluid retention or edema
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in kidneys
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Nerve problems
• Sleep disorders due to muscle cramps or restless legs
• Metallic taste in the mouth

Change in urination (the urine becomes more foamy; dark coloured, presence of blood; and urine amount is either more or less than normal)

Since the kidneys have reached the stage where they are no longer able to remove waste and fluids from the body, toxins start to build up in the blood. This accumulation of toxins causes a sick feeling. Kidneys are also not able to perform other functions such as regulating blood pressure, production of hormone-erythropoietin and activation of vitamin D for healthy bones.

If you are in stage 5 CKD, you must be in consultation with a nephrologist immediately. The doctor will decide the treatment as per your body’s requirements. It may be—hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis (PD), or kidney transplant.

Treatment of kidney disease

Regular testing for protein in the urine and serum creatinine indicates kidney health. A healthy lifestyle will help to decrease the progression of kidney disease. It is recommended that people with CKD should adopt the following:

• Eat a healthy diet:
• Include a variety of whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
• Include a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
• Limited intake of refined and processed foods.
• Include foods with less salt
• Aim for a healthy weight and have some physical activity each day.
• Include recommended levels of proteins.
• Consume adequate calories.
• Consume vitamins and minerals, whenever recommended by a doctor.
• Potassium and phosphorus should be in range
• Maintain blood pressure at normal levels.
• 125/75 for people with diabetes
• 130/85 for non-diabetes and non-proteinuria patients
• 125/75 for non-diabetes and proteinuria patients
• Diabetes should be under control.
• Regular serum creatinine test to measure GFR.
• Proper medications
• Regular Exercise
• Reduce smoking and consumption of alcohol.

Chronic kidney disease treatment in ayurveda - Karma Ayurveda Health

Chronic kidney disease is a term used to describe a number of conditions in which the kidneys lose their ability to filter the blood. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that remove waste from the blood and produce urine. They are located just below the rib cage in the middle of the back. When the kidneys become damaged, waste products can build up in the blood. This can cause a number of health problems. The condition is usually diagnosed by your doctor and can be treated with medication and lifestyle changes.