The 5 Stages of Kidney Disease

A person with stage 2 chronic kidney disease (CKD) has kidney damage with a mild decrease in their glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 60-89 ml/min.

As seen in stage 1, there are usually no symptoms to indicate the kidneys are damaged. If you have entered into Stage 2, it’s because you had been tested for another condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, which are the two leading causes of kidney disease.

Though there is no cure for kidney disease, it might be possible to stop its progress or slow down the damage. For many people, the correct course of treatment, and lifestyle changes, along with a positive outlook, can help keep a person and their kidneys healthier, longer!

Regular testing for protein in the urine and serum creatinine can show whether the kidney damage is progressing. A lifestyle that can help slow the progression of kidney disease includes eating a well-rounded and healthy diet. 

Try your best to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level:

• 125/75 for those with diabetes
• 130/85 for non-diabetics and non-proteinuria
• 125/75 for non-diabetes with proteinuria

If you have stage 3 kidney disease, you have moderate kidney damage. With modifications in diet and lifestyle will assist you in maintaining kidney function without digressing to next stage.

At this point, your doctor should refer you to a Nephrologist. Your nephrologist and your diet become one of your best lines of defence in helping you maintain your kidney function for as long as possible.

When you see your nephrologist, the doctor will examine you and order some lab tests to obtain current information on your kidney function. With those results, your doctor will offer the best advice for treatment. 

As kidney function declines, waste products build up in the blood resulting in a condition known as uremia.

In stage 3, a person is more likely to develop complications of kidney disease such as high blood pressure, anemia (a shortage of red blood cells) and or an early bone disease called Renal osteodystrophy

Try your best to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level:

• 125/75 for those with diabetes
• 130/85 for non-diabetics and non-proteinuria
• 125/75 for non-diabetes with proteinuria

Regular testing for protein in the urine and serum creatinine can show whether the kidney damage is progressing. Living a healthy lifestyle can help slow the progression of kidney disease.

• Take your prescribed medicine regularly
• Follow a kidney-friendly diet that has been created for you by your registered renal dietitian
• Work with your doctor on what form of exercise will help you maintain overall good health
• If you smoke, stop. Your doctor can provide tips on how to stop
• Maintain a positive outlook on life. Mediation, even a few minutes a day can be beneficial
• Maintain regular visits to y our doctor and have your kidneys tested regularly 

When you have been diagnosed with stage 4 chronic kidney disease, this means that you have advanced kidney damage with a severe decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to 15-30 ml/min. 

A decline in kidney function causes waste products to build up in the blood, resulting in a condition called uremia.

At Stage 4, it's more likely to develop complications such as high blood pressure and anemia - a shortage of red blood cells. Additionally, you may develop renal osteodystrophy, heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases.      

You will also be discussing with your nephrologist what course of treatment will be best for you soon. Treatment options are: 

Hemodialysis: the patient is connected to a machine where an artificial kidney performs the process of cleaning their blood 

Peritoneal dialysis:  automated dialysis treatment takes place during bedtime for most patients.

Kidney transplant: Several factors determine if a transplant is an option for you. Your doctor will discuss if you are a candidate for a kidney transplant.

Managing stage 4 CKD In addition to eating right and taking prescribed medicines, exercising regularly and not smoking are helpful in maintaining health.

Patients should talk to their doctors about an exercise plan. Doctors can also provide tips on how to stop smoking.

Try your best to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level:

• 125/75 for those with diabetes
• 130/85 for non-diabetics and non-proteinuria
• 125/75 for non-diabetes with proteinuria

Dietitians review your lab results with those results design a kidney-friendly diet. They will also teach you the ones to avoid. Depending on your lab results, the diet may have restrictions and limitations for you to follow. 

If you are at stage 5 chronic kidney disease this means you have end stage renal disease (ESRD) with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 15 ml/min or less.

At this stage in kidney disease, the kidneys have lost nearly all or have lost their ability to function effectively. Treatment options are dialysis or kidney transplant, if possible, to stay alive.

With the kidneys no longer able to remove waste and fluids from the body, toxins build up in the blood, causing an overall ill-feeling.

Other functions, kidneys, are no longer able to perform are regulating blood pressure, producing the hormone that helps make red blood cells and activating vitamin D for healthy bones.

Most likely, you have spoken with your nephrologist, what course of treatment is best for you. If you have not seen a nephrologist, then you need to be seen by one immediately.

Your diet is a big part of your treatment, so you will be working with a dietitian who will coach you on what you should be eating.

Depending on the dialysis treatment you choose and your lab test results, your dietitian will help create a meal plan based on your requirements to keep you feeling your best. Your dietitian will explain what foods are restricted and which ones are recommended on the renal diet.  

Though there is no cure for kidney disease, it may be possible to slow its progress or at least slow down the damage. For many people, with the correct course of treatment and lifestyle changes, along with a positive outlook, can help keep a person and their kidneys healthier, longer!

Hemodialysis - Dialysis patients are connected to a machine where a "artificial kidney" helps in the process of cleaning their blood.

Peritoneal dialysis - Automated peritoneal dialysis treatment, takes place for most during bedtime.

Kidney transplant - Several factors determine if a transplant is an option for you. Your doctor will discuss if you are a candidate for a kidney transplant.

Try your best to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level:

• 125/75 for those with diabetes
• 130/85 for non-diabetics and non-proteinuria
• 125/75 for non-diabetes with proteinuria