What are the kidneys and what do they do?
The kidneys continuously filter the bloodstream, clearing waste products and playing a vital role in controlling the body's level of water and various chemicals. They also produce certain essential hormones.
What is chronic kidney disease?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) refers to all conditions of the kidney, lasting at least three months, which results in kidney damage and/or reduced kidney function.
CKD is in many cases preventable. Many people do not know they have kidney disease, as up to 90% of kidney function can be lost before symptoms are evident. For this reason it is often call a 'silent killer'. Fortunately, simple tests performed by a general practitioner can identify most cases of CKD when the disease is in its early stages, enabling treatment to prevent or slow progression.
CKD is categorised into five stages (stages 1 through 5) according to the level of reduced kidney function and evidence of kidney damage, such as blood or protein in the urine.
End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is the most severe form of CKD where the kidney function deteriorates so much that in most cases kidney replacement therapy in the form of dialysis or kidney transplant is required to survive.
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