If you’re over 65, talk to your doctor about chronic kidney disease
Over time, your kidney health may start to decline and your kidneys may not work as well as they did before. These two bean-shaped organs filter blood and remove waste from the body. They also regulate your body chemistry, blood pressure, blood production, and bone health. In short, kidneys are essential to your wellbeing.
Mirna Boumitri, MD, is a nephrologist – or kidney doctor – with M Health Fairview. Stage 3 chronic kidney disease is one of the topics she is frequently asked about. Here, she answers your common questions and offers some advice.
What is chronic kidney disease?
Kidneys play a large role in our overall health. They filter blood and remove toxins from the body by putting them into the urine. They balance electrolytes and help regulate blood pressure. Your kidneys are also important in maintaining healthy bones and regulating the production of red blood cells.
Chronic kidney disease happens when the kidneys’ filtering function is decreased. It can sometimes lead to a gradual further loss of function. Kidney disease is categorized into stages. Stage 3 means that a person’s kidneys are filtering the blood at between 30 to 60 percent of their normal capacity. People with stage 5 chronic kidney disease – the most severe stage – have less than 15 percent of their original kidney function, and often require dialysis three or more times a week to clear their blood of toxins. At this stage, kidney transplant is the best treatment option for patients who are healthy enough.
Who is most at risk to develop chronic kidney disease?
The most common causes of chronic kidney disease and eventually kidney failure are diabetes and high blood pressure. Other less common causes are autoimmune diseases, polycystic kidney disease, and other inherited diseases. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, make sure you are controlling them. Talk to your doctor about your risk for developing chronic kidney disease – and get screened for chronic kidney disease. Many insurance providers require a referral for a kidney evaluation. Contact your primary care physician first to discuss appropriate next steps.
How do I know if I have it?
Chronic kidney disease often starts to develop without you noticing it. Symptoms may appear in stage 3, but most often not until stage 4 or 5. High blood pressure is typically one of the earliest signs. People who do experience symptoms may notice fatigue, swelling around the eyes or ankles, trouble sleeping, restless legs, or poor appetite. Some people also develop a strange or metallic taste in their mouth.
Fortunately, a simple blood test helps us measure kidney function and diagnose kidney disease. Given that there are no symptoms in early kidney disease, getting tested once a year is very important – especially if you have high blood pressure or diabetes. Testing for kidney disease is easy. It involves a routine blood chemistry test and a urine test to look for protein or blood.
