The kidneys are among the hardest-working organs in the body.
Unlike many other organs, the kidneys can lose a significant amount of their function before noticeable symptoms appear.
This is one reason chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often referred to as a "silent disease."
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), chronic kidney disease affects millions of people worldwide, and many remain unaware they have it because early stages usually have no symptoms.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that kidney damage is not always caused by rare diseases.
The kidneys are among the hardest-working organs in the body. Every day, they filter around 50 gallons (roughly 180 litres) of blood, remove waste, maintain the right balance of salts and minerals, help control blood pressure, and even support the production of red blood cells.
Despite doing so much, they rarely make a fuss.
Unlike many other organs, the kidneys can lose a significant amount of their function before noticeable symptoms appear. This is one reason chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often referred to as a "silent disease." By the time fatigue, swelling or changes in urination become obvious, considerable damage may already have occurred.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), chronic kidney disease affects millions of people worldwide, and many remain unaware they have it because early stages usually have no symptoms.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that kidney damage is not always caused by rare diseases. More often, it develops slowly through small decisions repeated every day.
