Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), also known as kidney failure, is the stage that is considered bad for the kidneys.
The following table summarizes the progression of CKD and highlights why Stage 5 is the most critical:
| Stage of CKD | Kidney Function | Description | Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stages 1 & 2 | Mildly Reduced | Kidneys are damaged but still functioning relatively well. | Often asymptomatic; focus on managing underlying conditions like diabetes and hypertension. |
| Stages 3 & 4 | Moderately to Severely Reduced | Kidneys are working harder to remove waste. | Increased risk of complications; requires careful monitoring and management to slow progression. |
| Stage 5 | Kidney Failure | Kidneys have stopped working or are close to stopping. | Requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. |
According to the reference, in Stages 3 and 4 CKD, kidneys have to work harder to get rid of waste. However, it's in Stage 5 CKD (kidney failure) that the kidneys may stop working altogether. At this point, dialysis or a kidney transplant becomes necessary for survival.
