SEKTC

What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) also known as chronic renal disease is a condition in which kidney function gradually decreases over time. Kidneys are a key component in removing excess fluid and other waste products out of your body by the secretion of urine. Without a stable production of urine, kidneys have a difficult time regulating other body chemicals such as potassium, salt, and acid contents. Kidneys produce hormones that impact the function of other vital organs and can aid with regulating blood pressure and maintaining control of calcium metabolism. Two-thirds of all CKD cases are caused by other chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.  

With CKD the ability for your kidneys to maintain their key role decreases and causes more waste to build up in the blood and complications (e.g., poor nutritional health, anemia, weak bones, nerve damage, and high blood pressure) arise. Furthermore, CKD has also been known to increase risk of developing blood vessel and heart diseases, which is currently the leading cause of death among CKD patients. This gradual loss of kidney function is not easily detected thus making it important for medical professionals and researchers to continue their interest in improving prevention methods so less individuals with CKD fall into kidney failure and require dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.

To learn more, view this National Kidney Foundation video for more background information on chronic kidney disease.

What is Kidney Failure?

Unfortunately, chronic kidney disease worsening over time can result in kidney failure, which is defined when 15% or less of kidney function is acting normally. Symptoms experienced in earlier stages continue to worsen as an individual nears kidney failure. Specific treatment options during kidney failure that aid in filtering blood include hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation. Conservative management is another option for treatment, in which medical professionals preserve quality of life and kidney function without dialysis or transplantation and plan for end-of-life care. Choosing a treatment option should be focused on individual needs, as it is important to care for your body in a manner that is effective and maintains quality of life if kidney failure occurs. This can include working with a dietician to ensure your diet is nutritional and aids in treatment success, attending all dialysis appointments regularly, and taking medicine to prevent kidney rejection if a kidney transplant is performed.  

To learn more, check out: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidney-failure 

What are Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease? 

There is no singular cause that can be traced to a CKD diagnosis. Complex chronic diseases like CKD are typically a mixture of environmental and medical risk factors. A few medical-based risk factors include: 

• Previous diabetes diagnosis 
• Chronic high blood pressure 
• Obesity 
• Older age 
• Family history of CKD or kidney failure (genetic factors) 
• Populations including African Americans, American Indians, Hispanic Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders 

Having one or more of these traits does not equate that an individual is going to receive a CKD diagnosis but acknowledging these risks factors will help promote those who have a higher risk of CKD to seek out earlier medical attention to ensure that the disease is caught in its earlier stages. 

For more information, check out: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/about-chronic-kidney-disease 

Social Determinants of Health Impacting CKD: 

Social determinants of health are environmental or social factors that can create hardships for individuals to maintain a healthy lifestyle of access proper healthcare. These factors can play a role in adding stressors and negatively impacting health outcomes. Some of these key social determinants of health include: 

• Housing instability 
• Food insecurity 
• Unreliable transportation 
• Lack of medical insurance 
• Safety concerns 
• Unreliable source of utilities (water, electricity, refrigeration, internet, …) 
• Lack of educational resources or community-based programs 
• Unstable employment status 
• Environmental exposures 
  • Poor air quality (outdoor or indoor) 
  • Lack of quality water sources 
  • Presence of hazardous or toxic substances/wastes

SEKTC has a mission to address these health inequities and determine how these barriers can lead to poorer health outcomes among CKD patients and kidney transplantation access.  

For more information, check out: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneydiscauses 

References:

Kidney basics. National Kidney Foundation. Published February 21, 2020. https://www.kidney.org/kidney-basics

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Kidney Failure | NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Published November 27, 2019. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidney-failure