The primary causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are diabetes and high blood pressure. Diabetes causes damage to the kidneys’ filters due to high blood glucose levels, leading to impaired kidney function over time. High blood pressure damages blood vessels and filtering parts of the kidney, which reduces kidney efficiency and contributes to worsening kidney damage. Besides these, other causes include acute kidney injury, certain cancers and related conditions, autoimmune disorders like lupus, drugs toxic to kidneys, glomerular diseases, infections, kidney stones, metabolic syndrome, polycystic kidney disease, genetic conditions, and obstructions such as renal artery stenosis or urinary tract issues. Risk factors also include heart disease, obesity, older age, family history, smoking, and prolonged urinary tract infections. Understanding the specific cause is crucial for managing CKD and preventing further kidney damage.
