Risk factors and causes
Your age, weight, family history, overall health, and even your race may put you at greater risk for kidney disease.
If you have any of the risk factors listed below, be sure to discuss your kidney health with your doctor and get tested as soon as possible.
Family history or background
- Someone in your family has kidney disease
- You are over 50 years old
Health problems
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Blockage in the kidneys or ureters
- Obesity
- Lupus
Race
- You are of South Asian descent. This risk is due in part to higher rates of diabetes and hypertension in these communities.
Lifestyle
- Overuse of ibuprofen, naproxen and acetaminophen medications
- Chronic street drug use
Learn about the causes of kidney disease
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of kidney disease, but there are other, less common conditions that can cause kidney disease.
Diabetes
Diabetes affects blood circulation in the glomeruli, which are part of the kidneys’ blood filtration system. People with diabetes may also have other risk factors, including high blood pressure (hypertension), poor blood sugar control, and a family history of kidney disease.
Changes in kidney function may begin within 2-5 years after a diagnosis of diabetes. Within 10-30 years of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, 30%-40% of people will develop late-stage renal disease. The onset of kidney disease in type 2 diabetes is similar to that in type 1 diabetes, but type 2 diabetes usually occurs later in life.
What is diabetes?
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension (High blood pressure) weakens blood vessels throughout the body, including the kidneys, causing them to lose function.
When the blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged, they lose their ability to remove waste and excess fluid from the body. Extra fluid can raise blood pressure further—creating a cycle that can lead to kidney failure.
What is high blood pressure?
How to lower high blood pressure?
Glomerular disease
The glomeruli are tiny filters within each kidney where blood is purified. Glomerular disease damages these important filters, preventing the kidneys from filtering waste and fluid properly.
With glomerular disease, waste products can accumulate in the blood. Protein and even red blood cells can leak into the urine. When the blood loses its ability to absorb extra fluid, it can cause swelling in the body, especially in the hands and ankles. These stresses on the kidney’s filtration system can eventually lead to kidney failure.
Polycystic kidney disease
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) causes cysts in the kidneys, which are filled with fluid. When there are too many cysts or they become too large, the kidneys can expand and not work properly.
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) slowly gets worse. People with polycystic kidney disease have it from birth, but it can take years for symptoms to appear. Although symptoms can be treated with medication, PKD can still lead to kidney failure. Fortunately, people with polycystic kidney disease may be good candidates for kidney transplantation.
Early detection can make a difference
The sooner your doctor confirms a diagnosis of kidney disease, the sooner you can begin developing a treatment plan that may help protect kidney function and slow the progression of damage.
What you can do to prevent kidney disease?
Learn how to keep your kidneys healthy. Early kidney disease rarely has symptoms. If you are at risk for kidney disease, talk with your doctor about testing for kidney disease and tracking changes in your health.