INFO FROM NHS WEBSITE
How common is chronic kidney disease?
CKD is very common and is mainly associated with ageing. The older you get, the more likely you are to have some degree of kidney disease. It is estimated that about one in five men and one in four women between the ages of 65 and 74 has some degree of CKD.
The most common cause of CKD is damage caused by other chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes.
CKD is more common in people of south Asian origin (those from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan) and black people than the general population. The reasons for this include higher rates of diabetes in south Asian people and higher rates of high blood pressure in African or Caribbean people.
Outlook
CKD is a potentially serious condition. People with CKD are known to have an increased risk of a stroke or heart attack because of the changes that occur to the circulation.
In some people, CKD may cause kidney failure, which is also known as established renal failure (ERF) or end-stage kidney disease. In this situation, the usual functions of the kidney stop working. In order to survive, people with ERF may need to have artificial kidney treatment, called dialysis.
However, if the condition is diagnosed at an early stage, further damage to the kidneys can be prevented with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. These changes can also reduce your risk of a stroke or heart attack. It is, therefore, very important to help yourself as much as you can.