Chronic kidney disease is a critical condition that means lasting damage to the kidneys that cannot be reversed. It can turn life-threatening if the damage to your kidneys is grave, and they may even stop working. It can reduce your life expectancy and also affect your quality of life. Consult experienced and board-certified nephrologists at the Century Medical and Dental Center to get expert advice if you are at high risk of kidney failure or suspect something wrong. The specialist doctors accurately diagnose your condition, the stage of kidney damage and recommend dialysis or kidney transplant depending on the phase of the disease to help you live better and increase your life expectancy.

Kidney diseases can reduce life expectancy considering the severity of the problem, the inability to grasp the gravity of the situation, and many other factors. Age and sex play a significant role along with the stage of the disease and allow the doctors to help patients with a prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment.

It is also important to remember that every person is different. With their unique genetics, current health conditions, mental issues, and reactions, it becomes difficult for doctors to estimate life expectancy, especially in something as critical as kidney disease. Life expectancy estimates do not make any guarantees. They may only provide you with a general outlook.

Understanding the stages of kidney disease gives you a better idea of what to expect and how to take good care of yourself to stop further damage to your kidneys.

The Stages of Kidney Disease

The stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) refer to how well your kidneys are working or the extent of damage they have suffered. Kidney disease can worsen with time if it is not cared for properly.

In the early stages, from stages 1 to 3, the kidneys continue to filter the waste out of the blood. In the later stages, 4 and 5, the kidneys need to work harder to filter the blood, and in severe cases, they may stop working altogether. Each phase is determined by measuring the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which checks how well the kidneys are doing.

The goal of healthcare providers at each stage of kidney disease is to work carefully and slow down the damage to the kidneys to ensure they keep on functioning for as long as possible.

Stage 1 – Early Warnings

Stage 1 CKD means your kidney is mildly damaged. It indicates a normal eGRF of 90 or greater. At this stage, your kidneys are healthy and working well, but you may face some problems. Signs of kidney damage could be the presence of protein in your urine or physical damage to your organs. At this stage, kidney damage can be caught and even reversed before it causes any significant damage.

Some effective ways to slow down kidney damage in stage 1 disease includes:

Controlling your blood sugar if you are diabetic

Controlling your blood pressure

Eating a healthy diet or a kidney-friendly diet

Giving up smoking or tobacco

Staying active

Keeping a healthy weight

Asking your doctor for any medications or supplements to support kidney health

Visiting a nephrologist for better advice on protecting your kidneys

Stage 2 – Mild kidney damage

Stage 2 CKD indicates you have mild kidney damage and an eGFR between 60 and 89. It means your kidneys are still working well. However, healthcare experts believe that even if your eGFR is normal, it means you have other warning signs of kidney damage, and they are not to be taken lightly.

You can take good care of yourself in stage 2 CKD in the following ways:

Keeping an eye on your rising blood sugar levels

Maintaining your blood pressure levels

Including kidney-friendly foods in your diet

Giving up smoking and tobacco usage

Incorporating exercise into your daily routine

Shedding the excessive pounds

Staying connected with your primary care doctor and nephrologist to know more about managing your kidney problems

Stage 3 – Kidney damage

Stage 3 CKD means you have an eGFR between 30 and 59. It means your kidneys have suffered some damage, and they are not working as well as they should be.

Stage 3 is divided into two stages:

Stage 3a means you have an eGFR between 45 and 59

Stage 3b means you have an eGFR between 30 and 44

Many people with Stage 3 kidney disease do not have any symptoms. But if there are any symptoms, they include:

Swelling in the hands and feet

Back pain

Urinating less than often

At this stage, you may face health complications. It is because waste buildups begin in the body, and kidneys may not work well. They include:

High blood pressure

Anemia

Bone disease

Consulting with an expert doctor and following the doctor’s advice is crucial at this stage. Using the medications as directed by the physician and taking good care of yourself can help you live a better quality of life despite the renal disease.

Stage 4 – Nearing kidney failure

Stage 4 CKD means you have an eGFR between 15 and 29. It means your kidneys are moderately or severely damaged and not working well. This stage should be taken very seriously as you are nearing kidney failure, and it can land you with dangerous complications if you are not careful.

Symptoms commonly faced by people at stage 4 kidney disease include:

Swelling on the hand and feet

Back pain

Urinate more or less than usual

Elevated blood pressure

A low number of red blood cells or anemia

Bone disease

At this stage, you need to consult a nephrologist regularly who comes up with a treatment plan that works for your condition. The doctor will monitor your kidney performance to ensure your disease does not deteriorate.

At this stage, the doctor will also discuss the possibility of a dialysis or kidney transplant and help you prepare for them if your kidney functions do not improve.

Stage 5 – Kidney failure

Stage 5 CKD means you have an eGFR of less than 15. It means either your kidneys are very close to failure or have failed. It is a critical condition that can turn life-threatening if proper measures are not taken timely.

If your kidneys fail, waste and toxins begin to build up in the blood, leaving you very sick. Symptoms of kidney failure are:

Itching

Muscle cramps

Feeling sick and throwing up

Not feeling hungry

Swelling in your hands and feet

Back pain

Urinating more or less than normal

Trouble breathing

Trouble sleeping

Once your kidneys have failed, you will have to start dialysis or get a kidney transplant to live.

Read more: https://www.centurymedicaldental.com/kidney-disease-life-expectancy-the-5-stages/

Century Medical & Dental Center

425 Westchester Avenue

Bronx, NY 10455

718-705-2555

https://www.centurymedicaldental.com/

https://www.centurymedicaldental.com/bronx-ny-10455/

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Our Bronx medical office proudly serves patients from the immediate surrounding neighborhoods, including Mott Haven (10455), Melrose (10451, 10455, 10456), and Woodstock (10455).

We are also conveniently located near several other Bronx communities:

Nearby neighborhoods within ~2 miles:

The Hub (Third Ave–149th St area) (10455), Concourse (10451), Longwood (10459), Port Morris (10454), Morrisania (10456), and Hunts Point (10474).

Slightly farther (2–3 miles away, but still close):

Soundview (10472, 10473), Castle Hill (10462, 10472), Clason Point (10473), Pelham Bay (10461), and Tremont (10457).

Working Hours:

Monday-Friday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm

Sunday: Closed

Payment: cash, check, credit cards.