What Are the Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease?
The primary causes of Chronic Kidney Disease are Diabetes and Hypertension, which together account for the majority of CKD cases. Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter waste effectively. Similarly, high blood pressure exerts excessive force on the kidney's filtering units, leading to scarring and reduced function over time. Other common causes include glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the kidney's filtering units, and polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of cysts in the kidneys.
Less common causes of CKD include recurrent urinary tract infections, prolonged use of certain medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and exposure to toxins. Autoimmune diseases like lupus and chronic viral infections such as hepatitis C can also contribute to kidney damage. Understanding the underlying cause of CKD is critical for tailoring treatment strategies and preventing further kidney damage.
