To complete this assignment, do the following:
1. Research this disease using a minimum of 2 sources). You can use your textbook for one of the sources. Choose the remaining
sources from the GALE Virtual Reference Library provided on the Structure and Function of the Human Body library guide page.
2. In a minimum of 2 pages (not counting the references page), address the following:
• Explain how chronic kidney disease develops and the potential causes.
• Describe the treatment options that exist.
3. Include a references page at the end of your document, formatted using the APA guidelines, that lists your research sources. Chronic Kidney Disease Essay Paper
Chronic Kidney Disease
Explain how chronic kidney disease develops and the potential causes. Describe the treatment options that exist.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a medical condition characterized by damaged kidneys that are unable to filter blood as they should in healthy individuals. In fact, it can be perceived as a long-standing kidney disease that leads to renal failure. A healthy normal kidney filters excess fluids and wastes from the blood. However, the kidney’s blood filtration function is inhibited in individuals with CKD. The main risk factors of developing CKD are a family history of kidney failure, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Once an individual has developed CKD, there is no treatment. However, management can stop the disease progression and slow down the damage to the liver (Kimmel & Rosenberg, 2019).
CKD does not result in the kidneys’ failing all at once. Rather, the kidney failure occurs in stages with each successive disease stage is characterized by progressively lower glomerular filtration rates (GFR). GFR is a mathematical formula that determines the level of creatinine in the blood based on serum creatinine, race, gender and age. Creatinine is a waste product that is normally eliminate from the body through kidney activity. If the kidneys are functioning normally, then they would remove creatinine from the blood. As CKD progresses, the kidney function would slow down so that creatinine levels rise in the blood. Other than creatinine levels, GFR can also be calculated based on serum albumin, blood urea nitrogen and weight (Kasper et al., 2018).
CKD progression is divided into five stages based on the GFR, with each stage calling for a different management plan. The first stage of CKD has normal to high GFR with figures greater than 90 ml/min. Symptoms of kidney damage may not present because although the kidney is not functioning at 100%, it is still doing a good job. Indicators of stage 1 CKD can be a family history of kidney disease, and protein or blood in urine. Treatment of CKD at this stage requires regular testing to determining if the kidney damage is progressing. Additionally, there is a need for a healthy lifestyle that include eating a healthy diet, keeping the blood pressure at a healthy level, keeping blood sugar under control, taking prescribed medication, stopping smoking, and exercising regularly. Medication that can be prescribed include calcium channel blockers (CCB), statins, diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) (Hummerlfarb & Ikizler, 2019).
The second stage of CKD has mild decrease in GFR to between 60 and 89 ml/min. Symptoms are unlike to present since the kidneys are still doing a good job. Indicators of stage 2 CKD can be a family history of kidney disease, and protein or blood in urine. Treatment of CKD at this stage requires regular testing to determining if the kidney damage is progressing. Also, there is a need for a healthy diet, keeping blood pressure at a healthy level, keeping blood sugar under control, taking the prescribed medication, regularly exercising and stopping smoking (Hummerlfarb & Ikizler, 2019).
The third stage of CKD has moderate kidney damage. GFR is between 30 and 59 ml/min. as the kidney function declines, the wastes build up in the blood to cause uremia. The individual is likely to develop health conditions associated with kidney damage to include early bone disease, anemia, and high blood pressure. Symptoms include sleep problems due to muscle cramps, kidney pain, urination changes, fluid retention, and fatigue. Managing CKD at this stage requires a healthy diet. Also, medication is prescribed to slow the progression of CKD, with some of the medication being ACEIs and ARBs. Also, not smoking and exercising regularly can help to prolong kidney health (Hummerlfarb & Ikizler, 2019).
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The fourth stage of CKD has advanced kidney damage. GFR severely decreases to 15 ml/min. as the kidney function declines, the waste products build up in the blood to cause uremia. The patient can develop cardiovascular diseases, bone disease, anemia and high blood pressure. Symptoms include nerve problems, difficulty in concentrating, loss of appetite, bad breath, metallic taste in the mouth, nausea and vomiting, sleep problems due to muscle spasms, kidney pain, urination changes, and fluid retention. Managing CKD at this stage requires dialysis or a kidney transplant. Also, management requires medication and a healthy diet (Hummerlfarb & Ikizler, 2019).
The final stage of CKD has end stage renal disease (ESRD) with GFR less than 15 ml/min. The kidneys loose nearly all their ability to work effectively. Symptoms include increased skin pigmentation, tingling in extremities, swelling around ankles and eyes, little to no urine, itching, unable to concentrate, being tired, headaches, nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite. Managing CKD at this stage requires dialysis or a kidney transplant. Also, management requires medication and a healthy diet (Hummerlfarb & Ikizler, 2019).
References
Himmerlfarb, J., & Ikizler, T. A. (2019). Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, and Transplantation: A Companion to Brenner and Rector’s The Kidney (4th ed.). Elsevier, Inc.
Kasper, D. L., Fauci, A. S., Hauser, S. L., Longo, D. L., Jameson, J. L., & Loscalzo, J. (2018). Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine (20th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Kimmel, P. L., & Rosenberg, M. E. (2019). Chronic Renal Disease (2nd ed.). Elsevier Science. Chronic Kidney Disease Essay Paper