Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Key Information:

• The Cleaning Team: Your kidneys act as your body’s essential cleaning and balancing team. They filter your blood to remove waste and excess fluid, turn it into urine, and help control your blood pressure.
• A ‘Silent’ Condition: CKD rarely causes symptoms in the early stages. It is usually detected during routine blood or urine tests carried out for other reasons (like diabetes or blood pressure checks).
• What ‘Chronic’ Means: The word “chronic” does not mean the condition is severe; it simply means it has developed over a long period. It indicates that your kidneys are working less efficiently than they used to.
• Reassurance: For the vast majority of patients, a diagnosis of CKD does not mean your kidneys will fail. Our primary goal is to protect the function you have and prevent further decline.