Yes, it's possible to stay in Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) for years, even indefinitely, without progressing to Stage 4 or Stage 5 (end-stage kidney disease), especially with good management, but the damage isn't usually reversible, so the goal is to slow progression through diet, medication (like ACE inhibitors/ARBs), blood pressure/sugar control, and lifestyle changes, preventing complications like heart disease.
High blood pressure is the second leading cause, and that's on the rise as well. (There are other causes, including obesity and, less commonly, polycystic kidney disease, a genetic condition marked by multiple cysts in the kidneys.) Once you have CKD, it and the accompanying kidney damage cannot be reversed.
Nevertheless, Stage 3 CKD does need to be taken seriously. In particular, it is very important to take care of the conditions that may contribute to kidney damage (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure), as well as any risk factors for cardiovascular disease (for example high cholesterol, smoking).
Stage 3 is still far from kidney failure, and a diagnosis at this stage can help improve the outlook as treatment can be commenced and the progression monitored carefully. It is possible to stay on CKD stage 3 for years with your kidney disease not progressing to end stage kidney failure.
Treatment for stage 3 chronic kidney disease
Drugs such as Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) and now sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are effective at reducing further kidney damage and slowing down the progression of CKD.
At 60 years of age, the average life expectancy is: 13.6 years for males with stage 3a CKD. 16.5 years for females with stage 3a CKD. 7.8 years for males with stage 3b CKD.
With stage 3 kidney disease, you may need to limit protein to reduce strain on your kidneys: Red meat: Beef, pork, and lamb should be consumed in moderation. Limit protein portions: Work with your healthcare professional to determine your ideal protein intake.
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Conclusions: About half of the patients with stage 3 CKD progressed to stage 4 or 5, as assessed by eGFR, over 10 years.
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Although Stage 3 kidney disease is not terminal, knowing how to cope with it is key to maintaining good health. WebMD reported, “all-cause mortality rate varied from 6% in 3 years to 51% in ten years.”
Sleep disorders, are common in people with chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease. In addition to insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing, excessive sleepiness, and restless leg syndrome many have a high incidence of sleep apnea and periodic limb movements in sleep.
Many patients remain at stage 3 for years with good management. Without treatment, CKD can progress to stages 4 and 5, when dialysis or transplant may become necessary.
Fluid retention, swelling (edema) of extremities and shortness of breath: Urination changes (foamy; dark orange, brown, tea-colored or red if it contains blood; and urinating more or less than normal) Kidney pain felt in their back. Sleep problems due to muscle cramps or restless legs.
To strengthen your kidneys, focus on a healthy lifestyle: stay hydrated with water, eat a balanced diet low in salt and processed foods, exercise regularly, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, manage blood pressure and sugar, limit over-the-counter pain relievers (like NSAIDs), and maintain a healthy weight to support overall kidney function.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top culprits damaging kidneys most, as they harm the delicate filtering blood vessels, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and failure; other major factors include smoking, obesity, dehydration, poor diet (high sugar/salt/red meat), certain medications (NSAIDs), lack of sleep, and genetic conditions. These factors create a cycle where damaged kidneys worsen blood pressure, further damaging them.
Kidney damage isn't usually reversible, but there's a lot you can do to slow further kidney damage.
These medicines include an ACE inhibitor/ARB, an SGLT2 inhibitor and/or an nsMRA. Your healthcare professional may also prescribe a statin (cholesterol medicine). Guidelines recommend a statin for people with stage 3a CKD who also have diabetes, a history of heart disease, or are age 50 or older.
For a 60-year old woman, stage 1 life expectancy is 18 years, while stage 2 is only one year less. For stage 3 kidney disease, her life expectancy would be 11 years.
The protein recommendation for CKD stage 3 is 0.55-0.6 grams of protein per day per kilogram body weight if you do not have diabetes.
Stage 3b CKD means moderate to severe kidney function loss. Symptoms include fatigue, swelling, and nausea. Regular checkups and lifestyle changes can help manage it.
Many people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are able to live long lives without being unduly affected by the condition. Although it's not possible to repair damage that has already happened to your kidneys, CKD will not necessarily get worse. CKD only reaches an advanced stage in a small proportion of people.
Two major drug types to avoid or use with extreme caution in kidney disease are Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) for reducing blood flow to the kidneys, and certain antibiotics, such as aminoglycosides (like gentamicin) and some antivirals, which can directly harm kidney tissue. Always consult your doctor before taking any new medication, as many over-the-counter products and prescriptions can negatively impact kidney function.
Go for pizzas with a thick base, so you fill up on bread rather than the toppings. Pizza – avoid mushroom / tomato / sun-dried tomato to reduce potassium content, avoid extra cheese to limit phosphate and avoid too many processed meats to limit salt content.
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