The ABCs of Kidney Disease: Understanding the Basics

💧The kidneys help balance water in the body, conserving it when necessary and eliminating it as waste when needed.

🧪The kidneys also play a role in maintaining the balance of chemicals, such as sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium, in the body.

🚰The kidneys act as the body's washing machine, helping to remove toxins, drugs, and waste products.

💪The kidneys respond to hormones to regulate blood pressure, produce red blood cells, and balance calcium and phosphorus levels.

🩺Chronic kidney disease is diagnosed through urine and blood tests, specifically the glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

What are the common causes of kidney disease?

—Common causes of kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, family history, obesity, and certain ethnic backgrounds.

Can kidney disease be reversed?

—In some cases, kidney disease can be slowed down or managed through lifestyle changes, medication, and medical interventions. Complete reversal is rare.

What are the symptoms of kidney disease?

—Symptoms of kidney disease may include fatigue, swelling in the legs and ankles, changes in urine output, fluid retention, and high blood pressure.

What is the treatment for kidney disease?

—Treatment for kidney disease focuses on managing underlying conditions, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and making dietary and lifestyle changes.

When is dialysis or kidney transplantation needed?

—Dialysis or kidney transplantation may be necessary when kidney function declines to a point where the body can no longer efficiently remove waste and excess fluids.

00:00Welcome to the ABCs of kidney disease, a class that provides education on kidney disease for patients and those interested in learning more about it.

01:00The kidneys are vital organs responsible for managing water balance, maintaining chemical balance, and removing toxins and waste products from the body.

04:00Chronic kidney disease is a slow loss of kidney function that affects millions of adults. It is often asymptomatic until advanced stages.

07:00Diagnosis of kidney disease involves urine and blood tests, specifically the measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

09:00The GFR reflects how well the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood. It is a better measure of kidney function than creatinine levels alone.

11:00Kidney disease is categorized into five stages based on GFR levels. Early detection and management are crucial for slowing disease progression.

12:00Common causes of kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, family history, obesity, and certain ethnic backgrounds.

15:00Treatment for kidney disease focuses on managing underlying conditions, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and making dietary and lifestyle changes.