Are you taking good care of your kidneys? These fist-sized organs work around the clock, filtering waste, balancing fluids, and even helping control blood pressure. Most of us don’t think about our kidney health until something goes wrong, and by then, it might be too late. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) often develops silently, with few warning signs, until the damage is severe.
March is National Kidney Month, a time to spotlight kidney health and the millions of people affected by CKD. Whether you know someone battling kidney disease or just want to ensure your own kidneys stay in top shape, this guide will help you understand risk factors, symptoms, and proactive steps you can take to keep your kidneys functioning at their best.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) by the numbers
Did you know that it’s possible to lose up to 60 percent of kidney function before you notice any symptoms? When kidneys become damaged, their ability to function declines. This can lead to serious health complications like a heart attack, stroke, anemia, weakened bones, nerve damage, and cardiovascular disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- An estimated 37 million adults in the U.S. have CKD, but 9 out of 10 don’t know they have it.
- 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. is at risk for developing CKD.
- CKD is a leading cause of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant for survival.
- Diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of CKD, contributing to nearly three-quarters of all cases.
Despite its prevalence, early detection and lifestyle changes can help slow the progression of CKD and reduce the risk of serious complications.
Know your risk factors for kidney disease
Anyone can develop CKD, but certain factors increase the risk. You may be more likely to develop the disease if you:
- Have diabetes (the most common cause of CKD)
- Have high blood pressure (which can damage kidney blood vessels over time)
- Have a family history of kidney disease
- Are over the age of 60
- Have obesity or a history of heart disease
- Use certain medications (such as NSAIDs like ibuprofen) regularly
If any of these apply to you, talk to your doctor about your kidney health and what you can do to lower your risk.
What you should do: Important health screenings
Routine checkups are key to detecting CKD early. Ways to monitor your kidney health may include:
- Blood pressure checks – High blood pressure is a major cause of kidney disease, so keeping it under control is crucial.
- Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) test – A GFR test measures how well your kidneys filter waste. A lower number may indicate kidney disease.
- Urine test (Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio, ACR) – This test detects protein in the urine, an early sign of kidney damage.
- Blood sugar check – If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar under control can help protect your kidneys.
Early detection allows for earlier intervention, helping you manage CKD and avoid severe complications.
Symptoms you may notice
CKD is often called a “silent disease” because it may not cause noticeable symptoms until it reaches advanced stages. However, some signs to watch for include:
- Fatigue or weakness
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Foamy or dark-colored urine
- Muscle cramps
- Puffy eyes
- Increased thirst
Talk to your doctor if you experience the symptoms listed above, all of which can be an indication of kidney malfunction.
CKD progresses in five stages, as described below:
- Stage 1 & 2: Mild kidney damage with normal or slightly reduced function. Often no symptoms.
- Stage 3: Moderate kidney damage, with some function loss. May experience swelling and fatigue.
- Stage 4: Severe loss of kidney function, requiring close medical supervision.
- Stage 5 (End-Stage Renal Disease): Kidneys fail, requiring dialysis or a transplant.
For those who reach end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a kidney transplant becomes their best chance of survival. Dialysis can help but it is not a cure, while transplantation offers patients the opportunity to regain independence, improve their quality of life, and live longer.
Give the gift of life by registering as an organ donor
Join us this March as we work to raise awareness about kidney disease and the life-saving power of organ donation. Right now, over 96,000 people on the transplant waiting list need a kidney. By becoming a registered organ, eye, and tissue donor, you might be able to give someone suffering from kidney disease a new chance at life. Sign up for the donor registry and increase the chance that patients waiting will get the transplants they need to survive.