Let’s learn about some of the common health problems associated with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) so that we can be more aware of its importance.
Heart disease
Heart disease and stroke increases the risk of CKD. High blood pressure can damage your blood vessels around your heart but can also damage the small blood vessels of your kidney as well. As a result, your kidneys do not function properly and the blood filtration process becomes impaired. Heart disease is also the most common cause of death for patients on dialysis.
Bone disease
Our kidneys play an important role in maintaining healthy bone mass. They help balance calcium and phosphorus levels in your blood and activate Vitamin D for bone health. Damaged kidneys prevent Vit D transformation and create an imbalance of calcium in your blood, resulting in weakened and brittle bones.
Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis caused by swelling and joint pain and is due to a build-up of uric acid in your blood. If kidney function is impaired and unable to filter out waste, this can lead to an episode of gout.
Anemia
Anemia can result if your kidneys are unable to properly filter blood and make new red blood cells. The fewer the red blood cells made, the less oxygen can be delivered to other organs and tissues. Blood cells also tend to die faster than they can be replaced, increasing the risk of complications such as stroke.
Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (SHPT)
SHPT is common in people with end-stage kidney disease. As kidney function decreases, the body has low levels of vitamin D and calcium. In response, the parathyroid glands grow larger due to increased hormonal requirements. An enlarged parathyroid gland can be resistant to treatment and may require surgery.