Newly Diagnosed CKD

No. CKD has five stages, and most people are diagnosed in the earlier stages (stage 1–3). There’s a lot you can do to treat it and prevent or delay it from getting worse. Kidney failure is the most advanced stage (stage 5), known as end-stage kidney (renal) disease (ESKD), and many people never reach it. 

Dialysis and kidney transplants don’t usually become part of the conversation until CKD reaches the advanced stage, and many people never progress to the point where they’re needed. In the earlier stages of CKD, your treatment plan will include an eating plan, physical activity, and medications, if needed. Following your treatment plan can help you slow or even prevent further kidney damage. 

There are many factors that can lead to CKD. People living with diabetes or high blood pressure carry a significantly higher risk, along with people with a family history of kidney disease and people living with overweight or obesity. CKD is also more common in non-Hispanic Black adults than non-Hispanic white adults or Hispanic adults. 

No. CKD is a very common complication of diabetes—four in ten adults with diabetes has it. It’s not your fault, and there’s no reason to feel guilty. What matters is how you care for your kidneys moving forward! 

Most people feel no symptoms in the early stages, and an important goal of your treatment plan is for you to feel healthy while you’re living with CKD. 

In the later stages of CKD, more noticeable symptoms can develop, like swelling (often in the feet or hands), unusual fatigue, and changes in how often you need to urinate. But if you do notice any of these changes, you should tell your care team right away. They can help figure out what's going on and work with you to make changes to your treatment plan. 

You and your healthcare team will make a treatment plan to help you feel your best and protect your kidneys. This will include managing blood glucose and blood pressure to reach your targets, an eating plan, physical activity, and sometimes taking medications. If you’re in advanced stage CKD, you may talk about additional treatment options. There’s a lot you can do to stay healthy, and even small steps make a difference for your long-term health.

Damage to your kidneys can be slowed or even stopped by following your treatment plan and working with your healthcare team. The goal is to keep you feeling your best and to protect your kidneys as much as possible. 

Most people following their treatment plan won’t ever reach the later stages of CKD or the point where CKD can be fatal. Over time, CKD can weaken your immune system and raise the risk of other serious health problems, like heart disease, but those risks mostly depend on how you care for your kidney health from now on. Your everyday choices, alongside your treatment plan, make a big difference for your long-term health.