Table of Contents

I. What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

II. Early Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease

III. Stage 3 of Chronic Kidney Disease

IV. Late Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease

V. Conclusion

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) often goes unnoticed, slowly damaging the kidneys over time. Recognizing the symptoms associated with each stage of CKD is vital for early detection and intervention. The sooner CKD is diagnosed, the sooner steps can be taken to preserve remaining kidney function and manage your health.

This article explores the various stages of CKD, their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs in your lower back that filter waste and excess fluid from your bloodstream. Inside each kidney are millions of tiny structures called nephrons that act as mini filters, removing waste and excess water from your blood to produce urine. In addition to removing waste, your kidneys release hormones that regulate blood pressure and stimulate red blood cell production. [1]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) refers to long-term damage to the kidneys that gradually reduces their ability to function properly. When the kidneys are damaged, waste builds up in the blood instead of being filtered out, which can lead to health issues like high blood pressure and heart disease. [1]

CKD is categorized into five stages based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) test, which measures how well your kidneys filter waste from the blood. As CKD progresses through the stages, kidney function decreases. [2]

• Stage 1 CKD: The kidneys show mild damage but still work well. You may have no symptoms, though protein in the urine or signs of kidney damage could be present.

• Stage 2 CKD: The kidneys have mild damage, but function largely remains normal. Again, there may be no symptoms, but protein in the urine or physical kidney damage is possible.

• Stage 3 CKD: The kidneys have moderate damage, and waste builds up in the body, potentially causing high blood pressure, bone disease, fatigue, swelling, and weakness.

• Stage 4 CKD: The kidneys have significant damage, and waste accumulates, leading to issues such as high blood pressure, bone disease, and heart disease. Swelling, pain, and other symptoms are likely.

• Stage 5 CKD: The kidneys are severely damaged or have failed. Waste products build up in the body, causing severe illness. Treatment options at this stage include dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. [2]

Early Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease

In the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), the kidneys can still function relatively well despite some damage. Identifying CKD in these early stages provides an opportunity to slow the progression of kidney disease through lifestyle changes and treatment. [3]

• Stage 1 CKD means your kidney filtration rate is normal, but proteins are leaking into your urine (called proteinuria). This proteinuria signals your kidneys' filtering units are stressed. [3]

• Stage 2 CKD means your kidney filtration rate has dipped slightly below the normal range. It's still adequate to filter waste from your blood, so you may not have symptoms. However, the decreasing filtration rate indicates your kidneys are losing their ability to function properly. [4]

Symptoms

The early stages of chronic kidney disease often have no obvious symptoms. Many people with Stage 1 or 2 CKD feel normal and do not realize there is any damage to their kidneys. However, some possible signs of early kidney disease include: [3]

• High blood pressure
• Swelling in your hands and feet
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Protein or blood in your urine
• Kidney damage that shows up in an ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, or kidney biopsy [3]

The good news is that catching CKD in stages 1 or 2 allows time to slow or stop the progression of kidney disease through lifestyle changes and medical management. Monitoring symptoms and getting checked regularly can help detect early kidney damage before it advances too far. [3]

Diagnosis

The early stages of chronic kidney disease often have no symptoms. But if kidney problems run in your family or you have other health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure, your doctor may check how well your kidneys are working. This allows early detection and treatment of kidney disease. [4]

Doctors use several tests to evaluate kidney health and look for signs of CKD:

• Urine tests to check for increased protein levels
• eGFR blood tests, which check how well your kidneys are functioning
• Blood pressure checks
• Imaging tests for your kidneys (ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs) [4]

Treatment

If you have stage 1 or 2 chronic kidney disease (CKD), treatment will focus on slowing the progression of kidney damage and preserving kidney function for as long as possible. Here are some key aspects of early-stage CKD treatment:

• Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes: Work closely with your doctor to keep your A1C consistently in the target range through medications, diet, exercise, and regular monitoring. This can significantly slow the rate of decline in kidney function.

• Evaluate your medications: Your doctor may recommend medications to help protect your kidneys. In some cases, adjusting or stopping certain medications may be better for preserving kidney function. [4]

Stage 3 of Chronic Kidney Disease

Stage 3 of chronic kidney disease is a middle stage where the kidneys have mild to moderate damage. At this point, the kidneys are still working well enough that dialysis or a transplant are not needed, but the damage means they have a harder time filtering waste and fluid from the blood. [5]