Chronic Kidney Disease Stages
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a long-term medical condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to function properly. Our kidneys are responsible for filtering waste, balancing electrolytes, regulating blood pressure, producing hormones, and maintaining overall health. When kidney function declines slowly over months or years, it is known as chronic kidney disease. Understanding the Chronic Kidney Disease Stages is important to identify the condition early and take the right treatment steps. Doctors categorize CKD into five stages based on Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) — a number that tells how well the kidneys are filtering blood. GFR is measured using blood tests and shows kidney function percentage. In simpler terms, a higher GFR means healthier kidneys, while a low GFR indicates decreased kidney function. Stage 1: Normal or Slight Kidney Damage GFR: 90 or higher Kidney Function: Almost normal Symptoms: Usually no visible symptoms What Happens? ...