You cannot survive without your kidneys. They filter waste and extra water (fluid) out of your blood, but they also do many other important jobs that keep your body working the way it should.
The term chronic kidney disease means lasting damage to the kidneys that can get worse over time. If the damage is very bad, your kidneys may stop working. This is called kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). If your kidneys fail, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant in order to live.
Kidney failure, also called end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is the last stage of chronic kidney disease. When your kidneys fail, it means they have stopped working well enough for you to survive without dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Some kidney problems can be early signs of chronic kidney disease (CKD), the type of kidney damage that can get worse over time and lead to kidney failure. Other kidney problems can lead to CKD if they are not treated. Knowing your body and contacting your health care provider when you notice something isnt right can help you prevent bigger problems in the future.
Kidney disease in children, also called pediatric kidney disease, often has causes that are different from those that usually account for kidney disease in adults.
Many people with kidney disease experience challenges with their mental wellbeing.
Learn more about other kidney conditions including glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, kidney cancer and rare kidney diseases.
Nearly 100,000 people living with kidney failure are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, but there are not nearly enough kidneys available for all the people who need them. Most people can live with only one kidney.
Do you have questions about kidney disease or kidney failure? Send a question to our free HelpLine.
Most cases of kidney disease could be prevented, and if it is caught early, its progression can often be slowed or stopped. Testing is the only way to know if your kidneys are working properly. See a list of free kidney health screenings from the American Kidney Fund.
For more information about kidney disease, kidney problems and other kidney conditions, see these websites.
In Kidney Kitchen, you can take a deep dive into what each nutrient means for people with kidney disease, and how much of these nutrients common foods contain. Learn what healthy eating means for people in every stage of kidney disease, including those on dialysis or living with a kidney transplant.
Mineral and bone disease can affect those who have chronic kidney disease (CKD). But what exactly does that mean? Two minerals, calcium and phosphorous, plus hormones, are needed for healthy kidneys to function properly.
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