Did you know that approximately 40% of people living with type 2
diabetes develop chronic kidney disease, or CKD1? Let’s
learn more about exactly how CKD develops and how you can look after
your kidneys in the episode below.
CKD occurs when there is persistent damage to the kidneys for at
least 3 months, which can cause them to slowly stop working
properly2,3. The term “chronic” explains the long duration
of the disease.
This damage to the kidneys can occur from inflammation due to
chronically high blood sugar levels, which damages the network of
blood vessels and tubules inside the kidneys4. Therefore,
it is common for CKD to develop in people with type 2 diabetes. This
being said, people with obesity are also at higher risk5.
CKD is a common disease that can affect people of any age but becomes
more prevalent as we get older6. After reaching 40 years of
age, the kidneys’ ability to function properly declines each year7.
CKD progresses in stages. The damage to the kidneys can start off as
mild, leading to mild loss of kidney function3. If the
damage continues, CKD can progress to more advanced stages,
potentially leading to kidney failure, kidney transplant or the need
for dialysis – a treatment that filters the blood3.
CKD is classified based on glomerular filtration rate, known as GFR,
which is a measure of kidney function8.
It’s important to understand that not all cases of CKD progress to
the most advanced stage. In fact, most people fall into the
mild-to-moderate stages, where hospital-based care may not be necessary9-11.
Catching damage to the kidneys as early as possible is key to
preventing CKD progression12. Be sure to work with a
healthcare professional to closely monitor your kidney health and
maintain their function.
