20/11/2025
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The 5 Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease — What Really Happens Inside Your Body
Most people never notice the early signs of kidney damage. That’s why chronic kidney disease (CKD) often goes undiagnosed until it’s more advanced. Doctors classify CKD into five stages based on how well your kidneys filter waste (eGFR) and how damaged the tissue has become.
Stage 1: Kidneys look normal and the eGFR is still high, but there’s early damage like protein leaking into urine.
Stage 2: Mild loss of kidney function with more noticeable signs of damage.
Stage 3: A moderate drop in filtration. Symptoms like fatigue, swelling, and high blood pressure can appear.
Stage 4: Severe loss of function. Toxins build up faster, and complications such as anemia and bone problems become common.
Stage 5: Kidney failure. At this stage, dialysis or a transplant is usually needed to survive.
Albumin in urine is just as important as eGFR. High protein leakage means the kidneys are under stress even if the numbers still look “okay.”
The good news is that CKD progression can be slowed. Managing blood pressure, blood sugar, salt intake, and avoiding overuse of painkillers can make a huge difference.
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney issues, regular screening is one of the easiest ways to catch CKD early.
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