What are the common causes of kidney disease?

Diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension) are the most common causes of kidney disease. Not everyone with diabetes or high blood pressure will develop kidney disease. It is important for those with these conditions to be checked regularly to find out if their kidneys are affected.

There are some inherited forms of kidney disease, such as polycystic kidney disease or Alport’s disease. Some people have a kidney disease that happens as one part of a condition that affects many parts of the body, such as systemic lupus erythematosis, which can also cause arthritis and other problems.

Some kidney diseases occur and we never know why they happen. There are kidney diseases that cause damage rapidly, causing “acute (sudden) kidney failure.” But most kidney diseases damage the kidneys slowly, over a period of years, hence the term “chronic kidney disease.” Making the proper diagnosis involves blood and urine tests, a complete physical examination, and sometimes a kidney biopsy.

For those who do get kidney disease, kidney failure, or end stage renal disease (ESRD), can often be delayed, and sometimes prevented, by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and getting proper medical care.