Kidney Physician

A population study of over 11,000 Australian adults (AUSDIAB) suggests that approximately 11% of adults have Stage 3 CKD. 

 

An estimated 1.7 million (10%) Australian adults aged 18 years and over had signs of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 2011–12, based on measured data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

 

At the other end of the spectrum, approximately 25,000 Australians are on dialysis or have a kidney transplant.

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What are the causes of CKD?

The commonest causes of advanced CKD are:

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1. Diabetes

2. Type of kidney inflammation called glomerulonephritis

3. High blood pressure / hypertension

4. Polycystic kidney disease

5. Other major risk factors include obesity and smoking

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Symptoms and signs of CKD

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Many patients with CKD have no symptoms (it is also called a silent illness). It is usually diagnosed on routine blood or urine tests. This why a health check by your GP or other doctors will often include a blood and urine test.Common features of CKD include symptoms or signs of the cause of CKD, such as poorly controlled blood pressure, high blood sugar, blood or protein in the urine, or the presence of ankle swelling. Advanced CKD patients often become anaemic (low red blood cell count) and will feel lethargic and may report feeling short of breath with exercise.

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Treatment of CKD

Treatment can range widely from minimal intervention to kidney dialysis and transplantation. Patient education about their own disease is a key aspect to help people manage their chronic illness. Components in managing kidney disease include:

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1. Establishing the cause of CKD, its severity, and trying to determine if it will remain stable, or if it is likely to get worse

2. Treatment of the underlying cause of CKD.

3. Aggravating factors including hypertension, poorly controlled diabetes, obesity, and smoking needs to be adequately controlled to slow progression of kidney disease. This will involve taking regular medications (and avoiding some) as advised by your doctor.

4. Diet is important in some people, and may include restrictions of protein, sodium, potassium, and phosphate. Need for dietary restriction varies significantly from person to person. Specialist Kidney Dietitian may be able to advise about the restrictions in details.

5. Patients with advanced CKD can develop different complications e.g. anaemia, bone disease, retention of acid in body (called acidosis) etc. that needs to be monitored and treated.

 

Will I end up on dialysis or need a kidney transplant?

Vast majority of people with chronic kidney disease have mild disease, and with treatments and other interventions that slow down decline, most patients with CKD can be prevented from needing dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Some people who have more severe patterns or forms of kidney disease will require kidney replacement therapy in the form of dialysis or kidney transplant. You will be kept informed about your progress.