CKD stands for Chronic Kidney Disease. It's a long-term condition where your kidneys don't work as well as they should, gradually losing their ability to filter waste and fluid from your blood. CKD is a common condition, often associated with getting older.
If left untreated, CKD can progress and lead to kidney failure, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to slow down the progression of the disease.
Here are some key points about CKD:
- Gradual Damage: CKD develops over time, with kidney function declining slowly.
- Waste Buildup: When kidneys don't filter properly, waste products build up in the body, causing various symptoms.
- Risk Factors: Several factors can increase the risk of CKD, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and autoimmune diseases.
It's important to understand that CKD is not the same as acute kidney injury (AKI), which is a sudden loss of kidney function.
