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Kidney Disease:
What you need to know
What do kidneys do?
Your kidneys clean your blood by taking out waste and extra water (fluid).
This waste and extra water make up your urine.
Your kidneys are bean-shaped organs that are located near the middle of
your back. You have one on each side of your spine, just below your rib
cage.
Visit KidneyFund.org/KidneyBasics to learn about all the other
important jobs your kidneys do!
What is kidney disease?
If you have kidney disease, it means your kidneys are not working as well as they should. Chronic kidney disease
(CKD) is caused by permanent damage to your kidneys, and can get worse over time. If the damage gets very
bad, your kidneys may stop working. This is called kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
If your kidneys stop working, you will need a kidney transplant or a treatment called dialysis to survive.
Visit KidneyFund.org/KidneyFailure for more information about kidney disease and the treatment options for
kidney failure.
Who gets kidney disease?
Anyone can get kidney disease. Some people are more at risk than others.
The #1 cause of kidney disease is diabetes.
If you have diabetes, your body has trouble using the sugar you eat (also called glucose)
for energy. When the sugar is not used correctly, it stays in your blood. This can hurt your
kidneys.
The #2 cause of kidney disease is high blood pressure.
If you have high blood pressure, it means your heart is working too hard to pump your blood
through your body. Instead of moving normally through your body, your blood moves quickly and
forcefully. This can hurt your kidneys.
Other things that raise your chances of getting kidney disease include:
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Having heart disease
Having a family member with kidney disease
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Being African-American/Black,
Hispanic, Native American or Asian
Being over 60 years old
Visit KidneyFund.org/AtRisk for more information about the risk factors for kidney disease.
What are the signs of kidney disease?
Kidney disease usually has no symptoms until your kidneys are very badly damaged. The only way to know how
well your kidneys are working is to get tested!
If you do notice symptoms, they might include:
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Itching
Muscle cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Not feeling hungry
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Swelling in your feet and ankles
Too much OR not enough urine (pee)
Trouble catching your breath
Trouble sleeping
Visit KidneyFund.org/CKDsymptoms for more information about the symptoms of kidney disease.
How can kidney disease be prevented?
Kidney disease can often be prevented. If you already have kidney disease, you can
take steps to keep it from getting worse.
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Work with your healthcare team! Keep your blood pressure and blood sugar
under control, take your medicines exactly as your doctor tells you to, and have
checkups regularly.
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Follow a healthy diet! Eat a diet low in salt and low in fat. Limit alcohol.
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Exercise! Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week.
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Don’t use tobacco! If you use tobacco of any kind, including chewing tobacco,
quit now.
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Keep a healthy weight! If you are overweight, work with your doctor or dietitian to make a healthy eating
and exercise plan.
Visit KidneyFund.org/LiveHealthy for more healthy living tips!
What are the tests for kidney disease?
You can have simple tests to find out how well your kidneys are working. Ask your doctor, nurse or medical
assistant about the tests for kidney health and which ones are right for you.
The eGFR (short for estimated glomerular filtration rate) test tells your doctor how well your kidneys are
cleaning your blood.
The urine test checks for protein in your urine, which can be one of the earliest signs of kidney disease.
Visit KidneyFund.org/Tests for more information about the tests for kidney health.
You can learn more by:
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Visiting KidneyFund.org
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Visiting americanmedtech.org or calling
(847) 823-5169
Calling the American Kidney Fund’s toll-free
HelpLine at (866) 300-2900
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Asking your doctor, nurse, or medical assistant.
11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852
(800) 638-8299 • KidneyFund.org
CFC #11404
© 2016 American Kidney Fund