Genetic and Environmental Factors Contributing to Chronic Kidney Disease
Janya Kattera - Health - Kuckreja J.
July 1, 2024
In 2021, my grandma on my mom’s side was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney
Disease or (KCD). She was diagnosed after a blood test during a checkup. The early
stages of KCD often have no symptoms, making the disease harder to detect. As the
disease progresses, symptoms include fatigue, swelling in the legs, shortness of breath,
and nausea.(Mayo Clinic, Sept. 06, 2023, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521) National Kidney
Foundation states, “CKD is evaluated using two simple tests – a blood test known as
the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and a urine test known as the urine
albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR). Both tests are needed to have a clear picture of your
kidney health.” My grandma first took the blood test, then after signs of the disease
started showing up she took the other type of blood test and the urine test which
confirmed the diagnosis.
This topic has made a personal impact on me because we usually travel once a
year to see my grandma who lives in a different country. My grandma is on dialysis and
goes to the hospital for 4 hours twice a week, and she comes back tired. After
diagnosis, a person on dialysis who is over the age of 65 has a life expectancy of 2-5
years. (American association of kidney patients, January 2010, Eli A. Friedman) Since
my grandma's diagnosis my family has spent more time with my grandma to cherish the
time we have left with her. She took care of me a lot when I was younger, and after my
grandpa died, she only had her children and grandchildren left. After coming back from
her diagnosis, she feels extremely overwhelmed by the pain and has to use an oxygen
mask at times. She also usually rests for about 4-5 hours during the day because of the
fatigue.
Understanding CKD involves knowing how kidneys function, the stages of the disease,
common symptoms like fatigue and swelling, and potential causes such as diabetes or
high blood pressure. Also, gaining knowledge about support networks and caregiving
can help in providing assistance and emotional support to my grandma. Learning about
this disease makes me want to participate in my grandma's care. “Both diabetes and
high blood pressure run in families. You may be at risk for these diseases if a close
relative (parent, grandparent or sibling) has been diagnosed with one or both of them.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of kidney disease.
Kidney disease also runs in families. You may be more likely to get kidney disease if
you have a close relative with kidney disease.” (American Kidney Fund, Medical
Advisory Committee, https://www.kidneyfund.org/all-about-kidneys/risk-factors/family-
history-and-kidney-disease#:~:text=Diabetes%20and%20high%20blood%20pressure
%20are%20the%20most%20common%20causes,close%20relative%20with%20kidney
%20disease.) This explains why I, as a close family member, should know about past
medical history in case this disease is passed on to me or any other members of my
family because CKD is genetic.”
Learning about this condition helps to understand what CKD is, how it
progresses through stages, and what symptoms to expect. There are many things to
reconsider after being diagnosed such as dietary restrictions and managing fluid intake.
Learning about Chronic Kidney Disease helps people in our close family prepare for
potential complications, financial considerations, and caregiving responsibilities that can
be expected. In case this disease is passed on to me or my other close family
members, knowing risk factors can help us know to get checked for CKD. (National
Kidney Foundation, https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/about-chronic-kidney-
disease#:~:text=Early%20detection%20is%20important
%20%E2%80%93%20CKD,should%20get%20checked%20for%20CKD.)
After being diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease, there are many changes
that have to be made in order to make sure the condition doesn’t deteriorate. Dietary
changes include reducing sodium, phosphorus, and potassium intake,to lessen the
workload on the kidneys and manage electrolyte levels. After being diagnosed, my
grandma had medications prescribed to lower blood pressure, manage cholesterol, and
treat anemia. My grandma also has regular check-ups with doctors to monitor kidney
function, blood pressure, and overall health. This helps in adjusting treatment plans as
needed. “ Make and keep your regular healthcare provider/nephrologist (kidney
specialist) visits. These providers monitor your kidney health. Avoid taking painkillers
and other medications that may make your kidney disease worse.” (Cleveland Clinic,
May 7, 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15096-chronic-kidney-
disease)
Studies focus on identifying risk factors for CKD development, such as diabetes,
hypertension, obesity, and genetic predispositions. This helps in early detection and
prevention strategies. (National Library of Medicine, Francesca Mallamaci and Giovanni
Tripeppi, Jan. 24, 2024, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10856768/)
There is research that aims to uncover the unknown causes that lead to kidney damage
and CKD progression. It focuses on understanding how inflammatory processes in the
kidneys contribute to tissue damage and impaired kidney function. This studies the
activation of immune cells, and interaction between these cells and kidney cells.
Investigative studies also explore treatments to slow CKD progression, manage
complications like anemia and bone mineral disorders, and improve cardiovascular
outcomes in CKD patients. “Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) exhibit an
elevated cardiovascular risk manifesting as coronary artery disease, heart failure,
arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death.” (American Heart Association Journals,Joachim
Jankowski, PhD, Jürgen Floege, MD, Danilo Fliser, MD, Michael Böhm, MD, Nikolaus
Marx, MD, https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.050686)
Patients with chronic kidney disease face a higher risk of cardiovascular problems such
as coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death.
Many people don’t know their kidneys are struggling until it is too late. “Most
people don’t have symptoms of kidney disease in the early stages. That’s why it’s
important to attend annual wellness exams with your primary care provider to manage
chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure that can lead to kidney disease.”
(Cleveland Clinic, May 7, 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15096-
chronic-kidney-disease) Therefore, regular annual check-ups with your primary care
provider are important. These tests help manage conditions like diabetes, which can
contribute to kidney damage over time.
References
*Note - Some authors name and dates were not included in the source*
(Mayo Clinic, Sept. 06, 2023, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-
kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521)
(American association of kidney patients, January 2010, Eli A. Friedman)
(American Kidney Fund, Medical Advisory Committee, https://www.kidneyfund.org/all-
about-kidneys/risk-factors/family-history-and-kidney-disease#:~:text=Diabetes%20and
%20high%20blood%20pressure%20are%20the%20most%20common%20causes,close
%20relative%20with%20kidney%20disease.)
(National Kidney Foundation, https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/about-chronic-kidney-
disease#:~:text=Early%20detection%20is%20important
%20%E2%80%93%20CKD,should%20get%20checked%20for%20CKD.)
(Cleveland Clinic, May 7, 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15096-
chronic-kidney-disease)
(National Library of Medicine, Francesca Mallamaci and Giovanni Tripeppi, Jan. 24,
2024, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10856768/)
(American Heart Association Journals,Joachim Jankowski, PhD, Jürgen Floege, MD,
Danilo Fliser, MD, Michael Böhm, MD, Nikolaus Marx, MD,
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.050686)
