Since 1995 - Non Profit Healthcare Advice

What does it mean to have kidney disease?

11/18/2011

Question:

Is that different from loss of kidney function? What`s the most % of loss of kidney function that I can have, and still lead a normal life without drugs and monitoring?

Answer:

It’s hard to say how much kidney function a person can lose without needing special treatment, because it depends largely on the underlying disease that causes the kidney problem.  With diabetes, for instance, it’s very important for a person to take meds and be closely monitored, because that’s the best way to prevent the kidney disease from occurring in the first place, or from becoming worse.  In general, a person can probably lose at least half of their kidney function without requiring special treatment; but again, treatment of the underlying disease, such as hypertension, lupus, or diabetes, is the most important thing to protect the remaining kidney function.  

Please see the links below for more information on chronic kidney disease in general.  Feel free to write back if you have more questions!

Related Resources:

Basic Information About the Kidneys
treatment of CKD

For more information:

Go to the Kidney Diseases health topic.