The kidney’s primary function is to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. They achieve this by filtering the blood that circulates through them, excreting the wasteful products and excess fluids through the urine.

In early stages of the disease, the kidneys can still partially perform tasks such as excreting toxic substances, regulating the water balance and producing certain hormones, but as the disease progresses, the kidneys are less and less able to perform their tasks. 

As a result, toxic substances that are normally excreted in the urine accumulate in the blood and organs. These substances disrupt the body’s balance and internal equilibrium. 

In addition, the kidneys produce fewer hormones that are needed for blood production and bone metabolism. CKD can progress to end-stage kidney failure, which requires artificial filtering of the blood (known as dialysis) or a kidney

transplant.

In the US, CKD affects up to 15% of the adult population; that’s more than 1 in 7 adults and approximately 90% of those with CKD don’t even know they have it. 1 in 3 American adults (approximately 80 million people) are at risk for CKD. [3]

CKD may progress slowly over a long time. A lot of people are not aware that they have kidney disease until the disease is advanced and severe. However, if detected and treated early, CKD may often be slowed down or controlled.