Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a condition in which the kidneys have been damaged and have not worked normally for at least three (3) months. Normally, the kidneys filter extra water and waste of the blood and make urine. The kidneys also help control blood pressure, and they make hormones that the body needs to stay healthy (United States Preventive Services Task Force).

CKD disease has increased in incidence in recent years. This is the reason for the proliferation of dialysis centers in the country. Most people with CKD also have diabetes, high blood pressure, or both. Other factors related to CKD are older age and obesity. Chronic kidney disease can be congenital or familial and therefore a history of kidney failure in the family is also a related factor.

Signs and symptoms of CKD

Symptoms related to CKD may not be bothersome. Symptoms may not be present at all. To most people with CKD, symptoms related to the urine and urinary tract that point to CKD may be mild that will not cause serious problems. To some, however, CKD leads to kidney failure.

Two tests that will show that kidneys are working

The two important laboratory examinations for the kidneys are namely: Urine Albumin and Serum Creatinine. The first is a urine examination while the second is a blood examination. The first test checks a protein that passes into the urine when the kidneys are damaged, while the latter test is used to estimate how well the kidneys are filtering waste out of the blood. These tests are recommended as routine tests to detect chronic kidney disease or CKD. They may not apply to people diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes, wherein several other tests are needed as part of health care and health maintenance of people with aforesaid illnesses.

Who should be screened for CKD?

Being healthy also means making smart decisions. Consider your own health and lifestyle. Talk with your personal or family physician or a health care professional about your risk factors for CKD, and consider scientific recommendations. If you need the screening tests and you do get results from the same, go back to your physician to discuss with him about the results of the tests.

Some points to consider

During his assumption of office as health secretary, the late senator, Juan Flavier, initiated a nationwide study to detect risk factors for CKD with the use of urine dipsticks. The results concluded that those from Batangas province, more specifically those from Calaca, Nasugbu, Lemery, and nearby towns, have high risks of developing CKD. The water supply, from deep well in aforesaid province was found to be high in metals that can damage the kidneys overtime.