Dialysis uses a machine or other equipment to filter the blood. THE GOOD NEWS: If chronic kidney disease is found in the early stages, it can be treated. Stage 1 is the earliest. Early treatment may keep it from getting worse. COPYRIGHT: NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION. DO NOT REPRODUCE. 9 People with kidney damage for 3 months or more usually have chronic kidney disease. AND People with a GFR less than 60 for 3 months or more usually have chronic kidney disease. COPYRIGHT: NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION. DO NOT REPRODUCE. What Can Damage the Kidneys? 10 COPYRIGHT: NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION. DO NOT REPRODUCE. Normal Glomeruli Damaged Glomeruli (continued) 11 Diabetes • Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney disease. • Diabetes is a chronic disease where the body cannot control sugar. A high sugar level in the blood damages the small filters (glomeruli) in the kidneys. • In people with diabetes, kidneys do not filter as well. They are more likely to filter out tiny amounts of albumin into the urine instead of keeping it in the blood. Albumin is a type of protein needed by the body. Having protein in the urine is a sign of kidney damage. • When diabetes is controlled, there is less chance of damage to the kidneys. COPYRIGHT: NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION. DO NOT REPRODUCE. What Can Damage the Kidneys? (continued) High Blood Pressure • High blood pressure is the second most common cause of chronic kidney disease. • High blood pressure makes the kidneys work harder. This can damage the filters. Even a little rise in blood pressure is dangerous. • People with high blood pressure can also have protein in the urine. Protein in the urine can mean the kidneys are damaged. 12 COPYRIGHT: NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION. DO NOT REPRODUCE. Kidney Conditions • Glomerulonephritis (“glom-air- you-low-ne-fry-tis”) is the third most common cause of kidney disease. It is usually caused by an infection that affects the glomeruli. Glomeruli are very small, filtering parts of the kidneys. • Polycystic (“pol-ee-sis-tic”) kidney disease is an inherited kidney problem. With this disease, there are many cysts in the kidneys. These cysts take over the normal tissue. The kidneys can’t do their jobs as well. • Obstructions, such as kidney stones. If these are not quickly fixed, they can cause kidney damage. 13 COPYRIGHT: NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION. DO NOT REPRODUCE. What Can Damage the Kidneys? (continued) Certain Medicines • Some medicines used too often for pain or fever can cause kidney damage. These medicines are called NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen. • Certain contrast drugs (dyes) used in x-rays and scans • Some bowel cleaning products • Other medicines and supplements Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist... 14 COPYRIGHT: NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION. DO NOT REPRODUCE. Severe or Chronic Infections • HIV • Hepatitis C virus • Other severe viral and bacterial infections Injury • Accident • Trauma Other • Diseases of the ureters or bladder • Diseases such as lupus • Birth defects • Environmental exposures to: lead, mercury, or toxic chemicals • Smoking • Tumors • Obesity 15 COPYRIGHT: NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION. DO NOT REPRODUCE. Tests for Chronic Kidney Disease 16 People at risk should have 2 simple tests. Early kidney disease has no symptoms. You may not know anything is wrong. In fact, you can lose most of your kidney function before symptoms appear. This is why it is so important to find it early. The right treatment may slow it down. A blood test for creatinine (“kree-a-tin-in”). The result of this test is used to estimate GFR. GFR is the best way to test how well the kidneys are working, so know your GFR number! 1 (See chart on page 9.) COPYRIGHT: NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION. DO NOT REPRODUCE. 17 2 A urine test to find out if protein is in the urine, and, if so how much there is. Protein in the urine is a sign of kidney damage. COPYRIGHT: NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION. DO NOT REPRODUCE. 18 How Is Kidney Disease Treated? Chronic kidney disease can’t be cured, but it can be treated. • Chronic kidney disease needs to be treated. • The earlier kidney disease is found, the earlier it can be treated. • The treatment plan depends on the stage of kidney disease and other health problems. • The goals of treatment are to slow kidney disease and keep it from getting worse. COPYRIGHT: NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION. DO NOT REPRODUCE. 19 Did you know that more people with kidney disease die of heart disease before their kidneys fail? This is because kidney disease causes heart and blood vessel problems. People with or without kidney disease can help lower their risk of heart and blood vessel problems. Make heart-healthy and kidney-healthy choices: • Don’t smoke. • Know your goals for important tests, like blood pressure and blood glucose (sugar). • Control high blood pressure. • Control diabetes. • Control cholesterol. • Eat healthy meals. • Exercise regularly. • Lose weight if you are overweight. • Follow your doctor’s instructions and take medicines as prescribed. COPYRIGHT: NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION. DO NOT REPRODUCE. What Could Happen if Kidney Disease is Not Treated? If kidney disease is not treated, you have a higher risk of: • High blood pressure (if you didn’t have it