Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an illness in which the kidneys are no longer able to clean toxins and waste from the blood. CKD is often the result of other health problems that impact the kidneys and cause deterioration, either all at once or slowly over time. Living with kidney disease can be difficult, and as the disease progresses, more care is needed to maintain a high quality of life. Here’s what you should know about the chronic kidney disease stages and what to expect during each one.
Glomerular filtration rate, or GFR, measures kidney function based on how much serum creatinine, a waste product, is in the blood. The resulting measurement determines a person’s kidney disease stage. In Stage 1 kidney disease, a person’s GFR is not so high that there are any symptoms of the illness. Kidneys are capable of filtering blood even if they’re not working perfectly, and the only signs of illness at this point are higher than normal levels of creatinine in the blood, blood or protein in the urine, or evidence of kidney damage in a scan, ultrasound, or X-ray. Treatment involves eating a kidney-friendly diet, maintaining a healthy blood pressure, exercising, stopping smoking, and keeping blood sugar under control.
While GFR is worsening in Stage 2 kidney disease, symptoms are still not pronounced and will be the same as in Stage 1. Regular testing for protein in the urine and serum creatinine in the blood will be more important, as will eating a good diet and maintaining general health. While there is no cure for kidney disease, its progress can be slowed or stopped with proper monitoring from a doctor and lifestyle changes.
Stage 3A and Stage 3B
Stage 3 CKD is broken up into two parts based on GFR amounts. As kidney function declines in this phase, waste products begin to build up more quickly and can cause high blood pressure, anemia, diabetes, and bone disease. Symptoms may consist of fatigue, fluid retention, swelling in the arms and legs, shortness of breath, changes in the frequency and color of urination, kidney pain, and problems sleeping due to muscle cramps or restless legs. People with Stage 3 kidney disease should receive treatment from a nephrologist or a doctor who specializes in kidneys, and a dietician, as a better diet may help preserve kidney function. Medications to treat illnesses that may have developed as a result of CKD and regular exercise can be beneficial at this stage.
Those with Stage 4 CKD will likely need a transplant or kidney dialysis in the near future to prolong their life. Uremia, which is caused by a buildup of waste products, is common, as are high blood pressure, heart disease, and other cardiovascular issues. In addition to the symptoms found in Stage 3 kidney disease, patients may experience nausea, vomiting, a metallic taste in the mouth, bad breath, loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating, and nerve problems, such as numbness in the fingers and toes. People with Stage 4 CKD should visit their nephrologist every three months for various tests and treatments for additional health concerns. Doctors typically recommend dialysis or a transplant when kidney function drops to 15% or less, and conversations about the types of dialysis available should begin at this stage.
Also known as late stage kidney disease, Stage 5 CKD occurs when the kidneys have lost nearly all of their ability to function. Additional symptoms at this point consist of headaches, constant fatigue, inability to concentrate, little to no urine production, swelling, muscle cramps, and changes in skin pigmentation. The heavy buildup of toxins in the body causes general feelings of illness. Red blood cells and vitamin D production will also decline. Dialysis or a transplant is necessary at this stage, and both can lead to a much higher quality of life within a short period of time after treatment.
Securing Hospice Care Services
If you or a loved one is unable to receive treatment for CKD, it may be time to consider hospice care services, as the disease is not fully curable. Reach out to Harbor Light Hospice for more information about CKD or to use Harbor Light’s hospice care services for a loved one in the late stages of CKD. The organization’s customized hospice care services include the support of nurses, doctors, and mental and spiritual health counselors, who provide comprehensive care for patients and their loved ones as the patient nears the end of their life.