Chronic Kidney Disease (Nephrosis/Nephritis)

The kidneys filter the blood at the rate of 12 times in an hour. The excess water and unwanted chemicals (waste products) in the blood are then disposed of as urine. The kidneys will not be able to filter the blood effectively when they are damaged.

Kidney disease is called a ‘silent disease’ as there are often few or no symptoms until one loses up to 90% of your kidneys’ functionality. Some signs and symptoms include:

• a change in the frequency and quantity of urine you pass, especially at night (usually an increase at first)

• blood in your urine (haematuria)

• changes in the appearance of your urine

• puffiness around your legs and ankles (oedema)

• pain in your back (under the lower ribs, where the kidneys are located)

• pain or burning when you pass urine

• high blood pressure

Often, the development of kidney disease is gradual and its functions worsen over a number of years. If you permanently lose more than 40 per cent of your kidney function, it is called ‘chronic kidney disease’ (CKD). This can lead to kidney failure.

You are more at risk of CKD if you:

• have diabetes 

• have high blood pressure 

• are obese

• are over 60 years of age

• have a family history of end-stage kidney disease or hereditary kidney disease in a first or second degree relative

• have established heart problems (heart failure or a past heart attack) or have had a stroke

• smoke 

• have a history of acute kidney injury

• are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin.

The risk of CKD resulting in kidney failure depends on your level of kidney damage. If kidney disease is found early, medication, combined with diet and lifestyle changes, can prolong the life of your kidneys. 

If you have one or more of the risk factors for developing CKD, it is important to ask your doctor to check your kidney function.