Causes and stages
Diabetes and high blood pressure cause most cases. CKD is diagnosed when your eGFR (estimated from blood creatinine) stays below 60 or your urine shows albumin for more than three months. It's staged 1 through 5; stage 5, an eGFR under 15, is kidney failure. Swelling, fatigue, and itching usually show up late.
Slowing it down
Keeping blood pressure and blood sugar on target matters most, and SGLT2 inhibitors have shown kidney-protective benefits. A lower-sodium diet, not smoking, and a healthy weight help. Ask your doctor before using NSAIDs like ibuprofen or herbal supplements, which can strain the kidneys.
This article is general health information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
FAQ
- Can kidney damage be reversed?
- Usually not, but good management can slow progression a lot.
- Is drinking lots of water good for CKD?
- Moderate fluids are fine, but people with advanced CKD sometimes need to limit fluids.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-26
References
- KDIGO CKD Work Group. (2024). KDIGO 2024 clinical practice guideline for the evaluation and management of chronic kidney disease. Kidney International, 105(4S), S117–S314.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). NIDDK.
- 대한신장학회. 만성콩팥병 환자 정보.