Kidney disease causes

In many parts of the world, including Australia, diabetes is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease. All people who get diabetes are at risk of developing CKD.

High sugar levels in the blood can damage the blood vessels in the kidney, leading to CKD. Kidney damage can occur in people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, it is important to ensure that your blood sugar level is under control and monitor other related health issues such as high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a common cause of CKD. High blood pressure, often coupled with cardiovascular issues, damages the blood vessels in the kidney. If you have hypertension, it is vital to monitor and control your blood pressure as high blood pressure can lead to other health issues, including CKD. 

Glomerulonephritis refers to a group of conditions that causes inflammation of tiny filters inside the kidneys called glomeruli. Glomerulonephritis can also affect other organs apart from the kidney. It is important to be under the care of a nephrologist if you have any of the conditions classified as glomerulonephritis. 

Chronic pyelonephritis refers to damage caused by repeated urinary tract infections and inflammation in the kidneys. It is uncommon unless there are anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract. Repeated and prolonged inflammation of the kidneys can lead to permanent damage and loss of kidney functions, which may eventually result in CKD. 

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a common genetic disorder that is usually diagnosed with a kidney scan. In PKD, cysts develop inside the kidneys, impairing kidney function and may lead to CKD. Though there is no cure for PKD, the growth rate of cysts and the progression of the condition can be reduced. 

Lupus is a condition where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, including the kidneys, causing lupus nephritis. Lupus nephritis may lead to CKD and even end-stage kidney disease. If you have lupus, it is important that you are regularly tested for kidney function as lupus nephritis may not display any additional symptoms at onset. 

A high body mass index (BMI) increases metabolic requirements, which makes the kidneys work harder to filter out waste. The increase in workload puts your kidneys at greater risk of kidney damage when it is present over several years. Being overweight also increases the risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure, which are the two main causes of chronic kidney disease. 

Smoking causes damage to all organs, including the kidneys. Smoking is a common cause of damaged blood vessels that contributes to heart-related conditions. A damaged heart, blood vessels, or arteries, can decrease the blood flow to the kidneys and lead to kidney damage over time. 

Though kidney failure can occur at any age, people over the age of 60 are at a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease and is a common cause for CKD at a later age. Therefore, regular screenings are recommended if you are over 60 years. 

Inherited genetic diseases that can lead to CKD range from common ones like polycystic kidney disease (PKD) to rare ones usually leading to glomerulonephritis. If you have a history of kidney disease in the family, it is very important to keep your doctor informed. 

Prolonged use of certain medications, such as over-the-counter Non- Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), commonly known as pain medications and other unregulated remedies, can affect the kidneys in the long term. Always discuss your medications with your doctor to minimise this risk. 

Talk to your doctor about your concerns relating to the risk factors and determine if you need kidney function tests. You can also eliminate lifestyle-related risks such as smoking, start a moderate exercise routine, adopt a kidney-friendly diet, and monitor your blood pressure as well as your blood sugar level. 

Work with your healthcare practitioner to keep your blood sugar under control to minimise potential kidney damage. You should have a yearly diabetes check which includes a blood test for kidney function, an urine test to look for protein in your urine (an early sign of CKD) and blood pressure check. Everyone who has diabetes has a risk of developing CKD so regular monitoring at the doctor is important. The key to preventing kidney damage is to control blood sugar levels and high blood pressure. There are specific medications which can help to protect your kidneys so regular follow up with your GP is important if you have diabetes.

Find out more about symptoms of chronic kidney disease. 

Early detection of CKD is important so that appropriate steps can be taken to help slow down its progression. And since the early stages of CKD rarely show any symptoms, diagnosis is usually done through health screenings: a urine test to measure the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) or protein-creatinine ratio (PCR) and a blood test to determine the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). 

When kidneys become damaged they leak protein into the urine. Albumin-to-creatinine ratio, or ACR, is a test for detecting albumin (a type of protein) in the urine, an indication of CKD for patients with diabetes.

Protein-creatinine ratio, or PCR, is a test that measures the protein levels in the urine. Leakage of protein into urine is a common sign of kidney damage. 

The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is an indication of kidney function and is obtained through a blood test. eGFR below 60 ml/min indicates the onset of chronic kidney disease. An eGFR of less than 15 ml/min indicates stage 5 of chronic kidney disease, end-stage kidney disease or the start of kidney failure. 

The prognosis depends on what stage your CKD is detected at and the cause of the CKD. Not all CKD leads to end-stage kidney disease or kidney failure. The progression of CKD can be slowed with careful monitoring and management. And if kidney function continues to decline, treatment options for end-stage kidney disease need to be considered.