Chronic kidney disease or CKD means the kidneys are damaged. The term chronic means the damage to the kidneys that happens over a period of time. This destruction of the kidneys causes waste to buildup in the blood or bloodstream. Chronic kidney disease also causes serious health problems because the kidneys are vital to our well-being. Their main job is to filter extra water and wastes out of the blood to make urine. To keep your body functional, the kidneys do maintain salt and minerals that circulate in the blood. The kidneys also help with hormone production that controls blood pressure, keeps the bones strong, and generate red blood cells. Kidney disease can get progress over time and may lead to kidney failure. If your kidneys fail, they may stop working at all, and you need dialysis or transplant to maintain your health. Another alternative approach to treating chronic kidney disease is CKD Kidney disease treatment in Ayurveda. The sooner you know you have kidney disease, the early you can start with the treatment and protect your kidneys. In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, only a few signs or symptoms may become apparent by this time. It is important to note that CKD often leads to nonspecific symptoms such as fever or vomiting. Who is more likely to develop CKD? You are at risk of kidney disease if you have: Diabetes: High blood sugar is the dominant cause of chronic kidney disease. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys or in your heart. High blood pressure: Hypertension is the second cause of chronic kidney disease. Like high blood glucose, high blood pressure can injure the blood vessels in the kidneys and cause impaired function. Heart disease: There is a link between kidney disease and heart disease because of the common factor called hypertension. People with heart disease likely get kidney disease or vice-versa. Family history of kidney failure: Kidney disease runs in families. If your mother, father, brother, or sister has kidney failure, likely you may have it later in your life. Age: Age is yet another causative factor related to kidney disease. The longer you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, there is an increased risk of developing CKD. You need Chronic kidney disease treatment at the earliest to get better without having to endure many complications. What are the causes of chronic kidney disease? It may take months or years to have your kidney function destroyed by certain medical conditions. • Type 1 or type 2 diabetes • High blood pressure • Glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the kidney's filtering units • Interstitial nephritis, an inflammation of the kidney's tubules and surrounding structures • Polycystic kidney disease • Prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract from conditions such as enlarged prostate, kidney stones, and some cancers • Vesicoureteral reflux, a condition that causes urine to back up into your kidneys • Recurrent kidney infection also called pyelonephritis What are the symptoms of CKD? Early stages of chronic kidney disease may not have signs. The kidneys have the capacity to compensate for the loss, so they can work well without letting you know. This is why one can live with only one working kidney. For many people, the only way to know if you have kidney disease is to get your kidneys checked with blood and urine tests and look for the signs. As kidney disease gets worse, a person may have swelling called edema due to fluid retention. During kidney disease, the kidneys cannot get rid of excess fluid and salt, which may start to build in the blood. This fluid then starts to seep into cells and tissues and cause you weight gain. Symptoms of advanced stage kidney disease may include: • chest pain • dry skin • itching or numbness • feeling tired • headaches • increased or decreased urination • loss of appetite • anemia • malnutrition • Nausea or vomiting • muscle cramps • shortness of breath • sleep problems • trouble concentrating • vomiting • weight loss Does CKD cause other complications? Kidney disease can add to health complexities, such as heart disease, chest pain, etc. The waste buildup can make it hard for the heart to function at its core capacity. High blood pressure can be a cause as well as a result of kidney disease. High blood pressure damages the kidney at the same time, damaged kidneys may not eliminate too much fluid from the blood and so high blood pressure is common. Acute kidney injury is yet another complication of kidney disease. How does CKD affect your life? Many people with chronic kidney disease sometimes find it hard to accept that their kidney function is not accurate. Since we have a phobia of daunting procedures like dialysis and transplant in our minds, people are afraid to learn the fact. If you have kidney disease, you can still live well with CKD Kidney disease treatment in Ayurveda and lead a productive life. You may need to bring a healthy change in your lifestyle and diet to protect your kidneys.