What Is Chronic Kidney Disease?
What you don’t know (about kidney disease) can hurt you
Many Americans with chronic kidney disease are unaware of it. One in nine adults in the United States has CKD. Yet many of them don’t even know it!1 That’s because CKD symptoms can be subtle. In fact, people don’t usually notice any symptoms until the disease has progressed.
That’s why it’s important to learn all you can about chronic kidney disease, including the risk factors and tips for early detection.
Kidneys and their function
Your two kidneys are each approximately the size of your fist. You can find them on either side of your spine, underneath the bottom of your rib cage.
Think of your kidneys as your body’s filters. Their main job is to remove waste products and extra fluid from the blood. They eliminate these waste products through your urine.
The kidneys regulate the body’s salt, potassium, and acid content and produce hormones that affect the function of other organs.
Your kidneys are also essential in helping:
- Remove drugs from the body
- Release hormones that regulate blood pressure
- Maintain levels of certain important minerals and hormones, like calcium and vitamin D
- Control the creation of red blood cells
- Balance the body’s fluids
When you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), your kidneys cannot do all of these important jobs efficiently.
Chronic kidney disease is defined as having some type of kidney abnormality or "marker" such as protein in the urine, and having decreased kidney function for three months or longer.
There are many causes of chronic kidney disease.
In this section, you’ll learn more about CKD, including:
What Causes CKD?
Warning Signs of CKD
Kidney Disease Progression and Stages
CKD Fact Sheet
Next: What Causes CKD?
