Kidney disease is a serious health issue that affects millions of people, but many don’t realize they have it until it’s too late.
Your kidneys are like the body’s natural filters. They remove waste and extra fluid from your blood, help control blood pressure, balance fluids and even keep your bones strong. When your kidneys aren’t working properly, these important jobs are affected, which can lead to serious health problems.
Kidney disease often develops silently, with few or no symptoms in the early stages. By learning the signs, causes and risk factors, you can take steps to protect your kidneys and prevent kidney failure.
What Is Kidney Disease?
Kidney disease happens when your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood as well as they should. This causes waste and extra fluid to build up in your body, which can lead to other health problems. Repeated damage over a period of time to the kidney can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Many people don’t know they have CKD because it often doesn’t cause symptoms in the early stages. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in seven adults in the U.S. have CKD, but as many as nine in 10 don’t know they have it.
Early Signs of Kidney Disease
Kidney disease can be hard to spot early on because symptoms are often mild or easy to miss. Here are some common early signs:
- Feeling tired or having low energy
- Swelling in your feet, ankles or hands
- Changes in how often you urinate or how your urine looks (such as foamy urine)
If you notice these signs, it’s important to see a doctor. Early testing can catch kidney problems before they get worse.
What Causes Kidney Disease?
The two main causes of CKD are:
- Diabetes: High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys over time.
- High blood pressure: This can strain your kidneys and reduce their ability to function.
Other factors that can increase your risk include:
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- A family history of kidney problems
- Older age
What Is Kidney Failure?
Kidney failure, also called renal failure, happens when your kidneys stop working well enough to keep you healthy. This usually occurs after years of worsening CKD. When your kidneys fail, waste and fluids build up to dangerous levels, and you may need treatments like dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.
Symptoms of Kidney Failure
As kidney disease progresses, symptoms become more noticeable. These include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble concentrating
- Muscle cramps
- Severe swelling
If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical care right away.
CKD Stages
Doctors classify CKD into five stages based on how well your kidneys filter blood:
- Stage 1–2: Mild damage with few or no symptoms
- Stage 3: Moderate damage
- Stage 4: Severe damage
- Stage 5: Kidney failure (requires dialysis or transplant)
Regular check-ups and tests can help track your kidney health and slow the progression of CKD.
Kidney Disease and the Black Community
Kidney disease impacts everyone, but Black Americans are at a higher risk than other groups. Research shows that Black adults are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure compared to white Americans. In fact, Black Americans are nearly four times more likely to experience end-stage kidney disease.
Why is this? Several factors contribute to this disparity, including:
- High blood pressure and diabetes: These are the two leading causes of CKD, and they are more common in the Black community.
- Genetics: Certain genetic traits, like APOL1 gene variants, can increase the risk of kidney disease.
- Healthcare access: Barriers to affordable and quality healthcare also play a role.
Understanding these risks is the first step toward protecting kidney health in the Black community.
Why Early Screening Matters
Simple blood and urine tests can detect kidney disease before symptoms appear, often years before serious problems develop. These tests — including a blood test that measures how well your kidneys filter waste (eGFR) and a urine test that checks for protein in the urine — can help your doctor spot early kidney damage and start treatment right away. Early detection can slow disease progression, protect kidney function, and lower the risk of kidney failure.
Talk to your doctor about getting screened if any of the following apply to you:
- You have diabetes or high blood pressure.
- You have a family history of kidney disease.
- You are part of the Black community, which is at a higher risk for CKD and kidney failure.
Can Kidney Disease Be Reversed?
In most cases, kidney disease cannot be fully reversed. However, if caught early, the damage can often be slowed or even stopped with the right treatment and lifestyle changes. This is why early detection is so important.
For advanced CKD or kidney failure, treatments like dialysis or a transplant are usually needed.
How to Protect Your Kidneys
The good news is that there are steps you can take to keep your kidneys healthy:
- Control blood pressure and blood sugar: These are the top causes of kidney disease, so managing them is key.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water helps your kidneys filter waste.
- Eat a healthy diet: Choose foods low in salt and processed ingredients.
- Avoid certain medications: Long-term use of some painkillers can harm your kidneys.
- Get regular check-ups: Routine blood and urine tests can catch kidney problems early.
By managing risk factors like high blood pressure and diabetes, you can protect your kidneys and improve your overall health.
Kidney disease is a serious but often preventable condition. By understanding the risks, recognizing the early signs and taking steps to protect your kidneys, you can reduce your chances of developing CKD or kidney failure.
