Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), also known as chronic renal disease, is progressive loss in kidney function over a period of months or years.

The symptoms of worsening kidney function are not specific, and might include

• feeling generally unwell
• experiencing a reduced appetite.

Often, chronic kidney disease is diagnosed as a result of screening of people known to be at risk of kidney problems, such as those with high blood pressure or diabetes and those with a bloodline relative with CKD. This disease may also be identified when it leads to one of its recognized complications, such as Cardiovascular Diseases, Anemia, Pericarditis or Renal Osteodystrophy

CKD is a long-term form of kidney disease; thus, it is differentiated from Acute Kidney Disease (acute kidney injury) in that the reduction in kidney function must be present for over 3 months. CKD is an internationally recognized public health problem affecting 5–10% of the world population.