The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) states that millions of Americans are at higher risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). To help you determine whether you may be at greater risk, the NKF and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) describe CKD’s most common causes.*

Primary causes

• Diabetes: The number one cause of CKD, as high blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the kidneys and other organs. About one-third of people with diabetes have CKD.
• High blood pressure: Also known as hypertension, which can damage blood vessels in kidneys. Almost one-fifth of adults with high blood pressure have CKD.
• Heart disease: Increases the risk for CKD. Likewise, people with kidney disease are at higher risk of heart disease
• Family history of kidney failure

The National Kidney Foundation explains that as many as two-thirds of all CKD cases are caused by diabetes or high blood pressure.

Additional causes

Other diseases and conditions that may cause CKD are glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units, glomeruli); interstitial nephritis (inflammation of the kidney’s tubules and surrounding structures); a birth defect in the urinary system; frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs); kidney stones; and an enlarged prostate.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that age, race, sex, obesity, and past kidney damage are all other risk factors for CKD. African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans all have a higher incidence of chronic kidney disease. Women, people 65 years and older, those who are overweight, and people with prior kidney damage are all more likely to be affected by kidney disease, as well.

Early detection of CKD is important to slow the advancement from kidney disease to kidney failure. When and if CKD progresses to kidney failure, it then requires dialysis or a kidney transplant.

*National Kidney Foundation. (2020, April 27).  About Chronic Kidney Disease: Symptoms and Causes