Chronic kidney disease (CKD) comes in stages and knowing your stage is important for deciding treatment. CKD has five stages, ranging from nearly normal kidney function (stage 1) to kidney failure (stage 5), which requires dialysis or kidney transplant.
Understanding your stage can help you learn how to take control and slow the progression of kidney disease. The stages of renal disease are not based on symptoms alone. Instead, they reflect how effectively the kidneys eliminate waste from the blood by using an equation that estimates kidney function, known as glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Determining your GFR requires a simple blood test.
How did I get kidney disease?
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top causes of kidney diseases. Another form of CKD is glomerulonephritis, a general term for many types of kidney inflammation. Genetic diseases (such as polycystic kidney disease, or PKD), autoimmune diseases, birth defects, acute kidney failure and other problems can also cause kidney disease. Take a 3-minute Kidney Disease Risk Quiz to see if you’re at risk for renal disease (located in the DaVita Educational Tools section).
How do I slow the progression of kidney disease?
Ways to take control:
Choose a healthcare team that specializes in your stage of kidney disease.
Don't smoke.
Exercise.
Take medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Eat right by limiting foods that are high in protein, saturated fats, phosphorus, potassium and sodium, all of which can put extra strain on your kidneys. If you need help managing a kidney diet, use DaVita Diet Helper™, a tool that makes it easy to plan meals, track your nutrients and more.
Know more about medications when you have renal disease. Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements can be very harmful. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medications.
How did I get kidney disease?
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top causes of kidney diseases. Another form of CKD is glomerulonephritis, a general term for many types of kidney inflammation. Genetic diseases (such as polycystic kidney disease, or PKD), autoimmune diseases, birth defects, acute kidney failure and other problems can also cause kidney disease. Take a 3-minute Kidney Disease Risk Quiz to see if you’re at risk for renal disease (located in the DaVita Educational Tools section).
How do I slow the progression of kidney disease?
Ways to take control:
Choose a healthcare team that specializes in your stage of kidney disease.
Don't smoke.
Exercise.
Take medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Eat right by limiting foods that are high in protein, saturated fats, phosphorus, potassium and sodium, all of which can put extra strain on your kidneys. If you need help managing a kidney diet, use DaVita Diet Helper™, a tool that makes it easy to plan meals, track your nutrients and more.
Know more about medications when you have renal disease. Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements can be very harmful. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medications.
