What Are the 5 Stages of Kidney Disease?

Are you experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, swelling, or changes in urination patterns? These could be potential signs of kidney disease, and it's essential not to ignore them. By learning more about this disease, you can take steps to seek timely medical attention and address your condition. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at the five stages of kidney disease, explaining what each stage means for your health, how it progresses over time, and the best ways to manage it effectively. Read this blog to learn more.



What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition characterised by the progressive decline in kidney function over time. The kidneys play a vital role in filtering blood by eliminating waste, toxins, and excess fluids. However, damaged kidneys fail to filter blood as effectively as they should, which in turn, disrupts the normal functioning of various organs and systems. 



Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease

CKD typically stems from underlying conditions that put a strain on the kidneys. However, certain lifestyle choices and other factors can also heighten the risk. Here are a few conditions that can lead to CKD:

• Diabetes
• Kidney stones
• Kidney infection
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Enlarged prostate
• Smoking
• Severe dehydration that causes lowered blood flow
• Family history
• Older age



Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease

In the early stages of CKD, symptoms may not manifest as the body can adapt to reduced filtration. Typically, early CKD is detected through routine tests. As the condition progresses, symptoms become more noticeable, indicating worsening chronic kidney disease. These symptoms include:

• Swollen ankles and feet
• Weight loss
• Poor appetite
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble sleeping
• Blood in your urine
• Itchy skin
• Headaches
• Frequent urination, particularly during nighttime
• Inability to maintain an erection in men



The 5 Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease

The five stages of CKD refer to how well your kidneys are working and how they can get worse in time. Each stage is determined based on factors such as the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which measures how effectively the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood.

Typically, individuals with CKD will routinely undergo urine and blood test to assess kidney function, monitor disease progression, and detect complications. As kidney function declines, the risk of complications and kidney failure increases. Let's take a closer look at the five stages of chronic kidney disease:



Stage 1 CKD: eGFR 90 or higher and kidney damage

Stage 1 Kidney Disease indicates that your eGFR is 90 or higher, with mild damage to your kidneys. Generally, your kidneys may function normally during this stage. While you might not experience any symptoms, there could be other indicators of kidney damage, such as the presence of protein in your urine. Other symptoms to look out for may also include high blood pressure or swelling in your legs.

Stage 2 CKD: eGFR 60-89 and kidney damage

If you are diagnosed with Stage 2 Kidney Disease, it means that your eGFR has decreased to between 60 and 89, indicating early-stage kidney disease. During this stage, your kidneys may show evident signs of physical damage. Generally, your kidneys are still functioning well, so you might not experience any symptoms. Similar to Stage 1, fatigue, high blood pressure, swelling in the ankles, and protein in the urine may also be present in Stage 2. 

Stage 3 CKD: eGFR 30-59 and kidney damage

In Stage 3 Kidney Disease, your eGFR falls between 30 and 59, indicating you have mild to moderate damage to your kidneys. As your kidneys may not effectively filter waste and excess fluid from your blood, this can lead to the accumulation of waste and fluid. 

Stage 3 CKD is divided into two substages depending on your eGFR:

Stage 3a CKD (eGFR between 45 and 59)

Stage 3a indicates that you have mild to moderate loss of kidney function with an eGFR of 45 to 59 for 3 months or more. Some symptoms, such as fatigue, swelling in the ankles or feet, high blood pressure, and changes in urination patterns, may start to become noticeable at this stage. To manage symptoms and prevent further deterioration, close monitoring and potential intervention is required. 

Stage 3b CKD (eGFR between 30 and 44)

Stage 3b indicates a moderate to severe decline in kidney function, characterised by an eGFR of 30 to 44 for 3 months or longer. This stage marks a critical point in chronic kidney disease (CKD), and you may need careful monitoring and potential treatment to mitigate complications and prevent kidney failure.



Stage 4 CKD (eGFR 15-29 and severe loss of kidney function)

In Stage 4 Kidney Disease, your eGFR falls between 15 and 29 for 3 months or more. Your kidneys are not working as efficiently as they should to filter waste from your blood, which leads to severe loss of kidney function. At this point, you are one step closer to experiencing kidney failure. Aside from having protein in your urine, accumulation of waste products in your blood may also lead to various health complications, including high blood pressure, bone disease, heart disease, metabolic acidosis and lack of red blood cells in your body or anemia.

Stage 5 CKD (eGFR less than 15 and kidney failure)

Stage 5 Kidney Disease, also known as end-stage kidney disease is characterised by an eGFR less than 15, which indicates kidney failure. At this point, the kidneys have lost almost all of their ability to function, leading to a critical state where waste products and excess fluids accumulate in the body. Without intervention such as dialysis or kidney transplant, Stage 5 CKD can be life-threatening. Kidney transplant is a crucial treatment option for individuals with end-stage renal disease, as it provides them the opportunity to improve their quality of life and restore long-term kidney function.

Takeaway

Chronic kidney disease is a complex condition that progresses through five stages, each representing a different level of kidney function decline. By identifying CKD in its early stages, individuals can address risk factors, make lifestyle changes, and work closely with healthcare providers to slow disease progression and preserve their kidney health.



Living with CKD can be challenging, as individuals may experience anxiety about their health or safety. At INS LifeGuard, we offer innovative solutions to enhance the safety and well-being of individuals managing kidney disease. In the event of an emergency, such as sudden complications related to CKD, you can use our health and safety focused personal alarm to summon help. No matter where you are, our personal alarm provides peace of mind, offering assistance at the push of a button. For more information on INS LifeGuard's products and services, get in touch with us or feel free to explore our website.