Stages of Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) stages are divided into five stages based on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which measures how much blood the kidneys filter each minute.
Stage 1: Kidney damage with normal or high GFR (GFR ≥ 90 ml/min)
- The kidneys have some damage but still function normally.
- Symptoms: Generally, there are no visible symptoms.
- Treatment: Control blood pressure and blood sugar levels if necessary.
Stage 2: Kidney damage with a slight decrease in GFR (60-89 ml/min)
- The kidneys show slight damage and a mild decrease in function.
- Symptoms: Generally, there are no visible symptoms.
- Treatment: Same as in Stage 1, with more focus on reducing the risk of progression.
Stage 3: Moderate decrease in GFR (30-59 ml/min)
- The kidneys have a moderate decrease in function.
- Symptoms: Some symptoms such as fatigue, swelling, and changes in urination may begin to appear.
- Treatment: Medications to control blood pressure, specific diets, and regular monitoring.
Stage 4: Severe decrease in GFR (15-29 ml/min)
- Severely reduced kidney function.
- Symptoms: Worsening symptoms, including severe swelling, extreme fatigue, and digestive problems.
- Treatment: Preparation for kidney replacement treatments, such as dialysis or transplant.
Etapa 5: Insuficiencia renal (TFG < 15 ml/min)
- The kidneys cannot effectively filter waste from the body.
- Symptoms: Severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and confusion.
- Treatment: Dialysis or kidney transplant.