What is Chronic Kidney Disease and Who is at Risk?
One in seven adult Americans has chronic kidney disease, up 30 percent in the past decade. Most don’t know it because there are often no noticeable symptoms.
Chronic kidney disease can be prevented, and if caught early, it can be slowed or stopped.
Chronic kidney disease means that your kidneys aren’t working well, and you are at risk for serious health problems. Extra water and waste, normally removed as your kidneys make urine, stay in your body. The healthy balance of chemicals and other substances in your body is disturbed. If the disease gets worse, you may need dialysis or kidney transplant in order to survive.
Who’s at risk? The leading causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure. Certain ethnic groups, especially African Americans, are at higher risk, and also people with a family history of chronic kidney disease or its risk factors, and people with heart disease.
• Quick summary
• More details about chronic kidney disease risk and what to do if you're affected
• Take a quiz to see if you’re at risk
• Chronic kidney disease and blood pressure
• Chronic kidney disease and diabetes
• African-Americans and chronic kidney disease
• Chronic kidney disease and families: If you are a family member of a dialysis patient, you may be at high risk.
• Fill out a family history form and share it with your doctor. It can tell your doctor a lot about your risk for chronic kidney disease.