According to the National Kidney Foundation, 26 million Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic renal failure. The kidneys have many functions including regulating water and minerals such as sodium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium. They also help remove drugs and toxins from the body, make red blood cells and regulate blood pressure and bone mineralization. Chronic kidney disease develops over time and can progress quickly causing damage to the kidneys and waste products to build up in the blood, subsequently resulting in the loss of kidney function. There are many causes of chronic kidney disease and, fortunately, some risk factors can be controlled to delay the onset of the disease.
Diabetes
According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetes is the most common risk factor for developing chronic kidney disease. Diabetic nephropathy, which is chronic kidney disease caused by diabetes, is the leading cause of kidney failure in the United States, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Diabetes, characterized by high blood sugar levels, will eventually cause damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys and throughout the body if not properly controlled. This results in the inability of the small blood vessels to properly cleanse the blood to get rid of wastes and excess water. The damage to the small blood vessels by diabetes can also hurt the kidneys by causing hypertension, or high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, nerve damage and repeated urinary tract infections.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the second highest cause of kidney failure in the United States according to the National Kidney Foundation. High blood pressure, characterized by an increase in pressure on the pumping of the heart due to narrowed blood vessels, may have no symptoms so continuous screening is important. Over time, this increase in pressure will damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, causing them to become rigid and thick, decreasing flow. The reduced flow and blood supply to the kidney tissue results in irreversible damage and the kidneys are unable to work properly.
Glomerulonephritis
The third highest cause of chronic kidney failure is glomerulonephritis which is an inflammation of the glomeruli that filter the blood. As the glomeruli become inflamed, they are unable to properly filter the blood and remove waste. Globerulonephritis can be short-term or long-term, and can occur in anyone. However, the damage done by one case can cause kidney failure due to possible lack of blood supply and loss of kidney function.
Other Risk Factors
Those with a family history of kidney failure have a high risk of developing the condition, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Other risk factors include having diseases such as polycystic kidney disease, sickle cell disease, lupus erythematosus, and atherosclerosis. Those over the age of 60, those with common urinary tract infections, and those who commonly develop bladder outlet obstructions such as kidney stones also have a higher risk.
