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Lowering Your Risk
Symptoms and Diagnosis
If you are at risk for developing CKD, there are steps you can take to lower your risk:
There is no cure for CKD, but treatment can ease symptoms and prevent it from getting worse over time. Your type of treatment will depend on the stage of your CKD.
1 in 7 adults in the United States have CKD (37 million people)
About 9 in 10 adults with CKD do not know they have it (90%)
About 1 in 3 adults with diabetes have CKD
About 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure have CKD
3% of people in New Jersey have CKD
CKD is more common in people age 65 or older
808,000 people in the United States are living with ESRD
CKD is the 8th leading cause of death in the United States
Your kidneys play an important part in keeping your entire body heathy. They filter your blood, and remove waste and extra water from your body. Your kidneys also help:
The Role of Your Kidneys
Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition that occurs when the kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood as well as they should. As a result, fluid and waste stay in the body. CKD usually worsens over time, but treatment can help. If you have CKD, you may be at risk for other health issues, such as:
Treatment
Facts About CKD
People with CKD may not have symptoms until their condition gets worse or they develop complications. Symptoms can include:
Risk Factors
Facts on Health Care Disparities
A health disparity is a difference in health that is closely linked with social, economic, and/or environmental factors, such as race, ethnicity group, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity and more. Addressing health disparities is important for improving the health and well-being of everyone.
Learn more about Health Equity
Cardiovascular disease (heart disease and/or stroke)
High blood pressure
Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
Hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood)
Low calcium levels and high phosphorous levels in the blood
If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar range on track.
Keep your blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg, or the target set by your doctor.
If you smoke, quit.
Get regular physical activity.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Take medicine as prescribed by your doctor.
Eat a healthy diet.
Talk to your primary doctor about your risk for CKD and getting tested.
Visit a kidney doctor (a nephrologist) and get tested for CKD regularly.
Risk Factors
Lowering Your Risk
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Treatment
Facts About CKD
Facts on Health Care Disparities
Urinating more or less often
Foamy urine
Itchy and/or dry skin
Feeling tired
Nausea and/or appetite loss
Unexpected weight loss
Kidney Disease and Health Disparities
Kidney Disease and Health Disparities
Race and ethnicity: Some population groups have higher rates of CKD. Black Americans have a higher rate of CKD because diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease – the main causes of kidney disease – are more prevalent among this population. Black and Hispanic populations are more likely than White populations to need dialysis or a kidney transplant due to kidney failure.
Language Barriers: Limited language proficiency may make it harder to communicate with health care providers, which can impact getting the care you need. Your Horizon health plan has resources for you to get hep in your language. Call the number on the back of your member ID card for more information.
New Jersey Department of Health
The New Jersey Department of Health has resources for people with ESRD living in New Jersey, including the ESRD Patient Assistance Program.
Sources:
National Kidney Foundation
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institutes of Health
Race and Ethnicity
Español
Make red blood cells
Control your blood pressure
Keep your bones healthy
Balance important chemicals in your body
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Cardiovascular disease
Obesity
Lupus
Family history of CKD
Anyone can develop kidney disease, but people who already have certain health conditions are at a higher risk. If you have any of the following conditions, your risk of having CKD is higher:
Having cardiovascular disease, diabetes or high blood pressure can also make CKD worse and increase your chances of developing complications.
People with advanced stages of CKD may have other symptoms:
Numbness or swelling in the arms, legs, ankles or feet
Achy muscles or cramping
Trouble concentrating
Shortness of breath
Vomiting
Breath odor
CKD is diagnosed through simple blood and urine tests.
An estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) test is a blood test that measures creatinine (waste from protein and muscle breakdown) levels.
A urine albumin-creatinine ration (uACR) test is a urine test that measures protein levels.
There are five stages of CKD, depending on eGFR test results. Stages 1-3 are the early stages. During these stages, the kidneys can still filter blood. Stages 4-5 are the later stages. In these stages, the kidneys are more damaged and need to work harder to filter blood. They can even stop working altogether. This is called end-stage renal disease, or ESRD.
Lifestyle changes
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Exercise and stay active
Quit smoking if you smoke
Limit alcohol intake
Limit sodium intake
Maintain a healthy weight
Medicine
Some medical conditions can make CKD worse, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure. Treatment of these conditions can help your kidneys, so be sure to take any medicine as prescribed by your doctor.
Dialysis
During the later stages of CKD, the kidneys can function at only 10-15% of their normal ability. They will not be able to effectively filter waste and extra water in your body. If you are in the later stages of CKD, you will need dialysis to replace your lost kidney function.
Hemodialysis: A type of dialysis that uses a filtering machine to remove waste and fluid from your blood, and then pumps the filtered blood back into the body. A minor surgery is done to create an access port (usually in the arm) to the blood vessels.
Peritoneal dialysis: A type of dialysis where the blood is filtered inside your body, instead of using a machine. In peritoneal dialysis, the lining of your abdomen is used as a filter. A minor surgery is done to place a catheter (a small, flexible tube) in your belly.
Kidney Transplant
Some people with ESRD may be able to get a kidney transplant. This is when a healthy kidney from a donor is put into your body to replace your failing kidney. A kidney transplant requires surgery, and not every person may be a candidate. The first step in this process is to talk with your doctor.
Racial and ethnic:
Rates of CKD in the United States by race/ethnicity in 2021:
Black – 16%
Hispanic/Latino – 14%
White – 13%
Asian – 13%
Compared with White people:
Black people are 4x more likely to develop ESRD
Hispanic and Native American people are more than 2x as likely to develop ESRD
Asian people are 1.4x more likely to develop ESRD
Gender:
Men are more than 1.5 times more likely to develop ESRD than women
Socioeconomic Factors
Heath Literacy: Limited health literacy, associated with lower economic status, can affect someone’s ability to understand their diagnosis and test results.
Access to Health Care Services: People with lower socioeconomic status may face barriers in accessing health care services, which can lead to a delayed diagnosis and/or treatment of CKD. Black patients on average are less likely to receive a kidney transplant evaluation, have less access to the transplant waitlist, stay on the waitlist longer and are less likely to survive on the waitlist than White patients.
Cost: People with low incomes may be under or uninsured and not be able to afford doctor visits, tests and/or treatment.
Resources for You
Resources for You
Your doctor may also prescribe medicines to stop your CKD from getting worse. It is important to follow your doctor’s orders and take your medicine as prescribed. Always tell your doctors if you are prescribed a new medicine or supplement (over-the-counter or prescription), and if you are experiencing any side effects.
National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation is a non-profit organization for people with CKD. You can find education and resources on kidney health, managing CKD and community connection.
American Kidney Fund (AKF)
AKF provides grants to patients in need. They can also connect you with community resources in your area.
American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP)
AAKP provided education and resources for people living with CKD. You can sign up to become a member and get educational resources sent directly to you.