What Chronic Kidney Disease Means for You
A clear, practical explanation of chronic kidney disease — what it is, why it happens, and how you manage it — from Civil Hospital Ahmedabad.
Last updated: 2026-09-24
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means your kidneys have slowly lost some of their ability to filter waste and extra fluid from your blood. The loss usually happens over months or years, and because your kidneys have a lot of spare capacity, you may not notice anything for a long time.
Why it happens
- Diabetes — the leading cause in India
- High blood pressure
- Inflammation of the kidney filters
- Repeated stones or infections
- Some inherited conditions
How it is found
Two simple tests tell the story: a blood test for creatinine (turned into your eGFR) and a urine test for protein. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history, these tests are worth doing every year even when you feel fine.
CKD is usually silent early on. The earlier it is found, the more you can slow it down — so screening by risk matters more than waiting for symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
Can chronic kidney disease be cured?
Most CKD cannot be reversed, but you can often slow it down a great deal with blood-pressure and blood-sugar control, medication and diet.
Is CKD the same as kidney failure?
No. Kidney failure (stage 5) is the late end of CKD, when dialysis or a transplant is usually needed.