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According to studies conducted by international agencies, up to 28% of the young population in India is born with a lower kidney volume or smaller kidneys owing to various social and environmental factors. Further, health conditions like Hypertension, Diabetes and exposure to Nephrotoxins can lead to impaired filtration activity in the Kidney.
Chronic Kidney Disease is a condition where the kidneys of a person are damaged and unfit to perform their regular function. Kidneys are responsible for filtering out wastes from our blood and when they are unable to do so, it can become a life-threatening condition.
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
The glomerular filtration rate is the rate at which the kidneys are able to filter out various body wastes from the blood to produce urine. Specialized tests are required to assess the GFR and only a trained nephrologist can assess if your GFR is in the healthy range or not.
Based on the GFR the chronic kidney disease stages are characterized as below:
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Stage 1
Mild stage, with no noticeable symptoms. The GFR is 90 mL/min or higher.
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Stage 2
Mild kidney damage, with no major symptoms The GFR is 60 to 89 mL/min.
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Stage 3
a. Moderate to severe damage. The GFR is 45 to 59 mL/min.
b. Moderate to severe damage to the kidneys. The GFR is 30 to 44 mL/min.
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Stage 4
Severe damage and the patient needs dialysis support to function. The GFR is 15 to 29 mL/min.
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Stage 5
Severe kidney damage, leading to failure. The GFR drops to less than 15 mL/min.
Tests for CKD Stages
Your kidney doctor may prescribe you a certain test such as:
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Urine Test
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eGFR Test
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Blood test
To check for the presence and the levels of indicators in blood and urine for a clear assessment of the extent of function loss of a kidney.
Signs and Symptoms
Spotting the early signs of chronic kidney disease one can seek treatment in a timely manner and consult with the best kidney doctors to take good care of themselves. People with stage 1 or 2 CKD may not show any noticeable symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, some notable signs and symptoms such as those listed below may surface:
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Fatigue
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Trouble concentrating
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Muscle cramps
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Nausea and vomiting
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Dark urine
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Foamy urine
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Pale skin
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Swelling in the hands and feet.
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Increased thirst
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Frequent urination
If you have any of these symptoms, it's important to see a doctor to get tested to understand the stages of kidney disease. Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the progression of the disease and prevent serious complications.
Treatment for Kidney Diseases
Treatment for kidney disease depends on the source of the disease and the extent of the damage. In the initial stages of CKD, your doctor will recommend prescription medicine along with certain dietary restrictions.
During stages 3 a and 3 b, the patient may be prescribed to undergo dialysis to supplement kidney function and support normal body function. Once the patient’s health slips beyond stage 3, then continued dialysis support is a must. At stage five, the patient needs a kidney transplant or continuous dialysis to support life.
Treatment for CKD depends on the stage of the disease. In the early stages, treatment may focus on lifestyle changes such as:
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Eating a healthy diet
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Exercising regularly
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Controlling blood pressure
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Controlling blood sugar
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Quitting smoking
In the later stages of CKD, treatment may also include medications, dialysis, or a kidney transplant.
In order to keep your kidney healthy, it is important to maintain few tips and tricks suggested by the nephrology doctors. Contact us now for booking.
At Manipal Hospitals Kharadi we have some of the best doctors for kidney diseases. They are highly specialized in their field of diagnosis and treatment of the condition. If you or your loved ones are experiencing any of the mild symptoms or have a lifestyle condition that predisposes you to develop the condition, then visit the best nephrology hospital in Kharadi, Pune or book an appointment online.
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