Chronic Kidney Disease What is Chronic Kidney Disease and Who
Gets It? Reprinted with permission from DaVita, Inc. Chronic
kidney disease (CKD) occurs over time when kidneys become
damaged or diseased and no longer function properly. Diabetes
and high blood pressure are the leading causes of chronic kidney
disease in the U.S. and there are some people who are at a
greater risk for getting chronic kidney disease than others.
What is chronic kidney disease and who gets it? Your kidneys are
vital to the overall health of your body. These bean-shaped
organs located near the middle of your back work to remove
wastes and fluid from your blood. When your body digests food,
it takes the nutrients it needs and sends the leftover wastes
through your blood for the kidneys to filter. Your hard-working
kidneys filter about 200 quarts of blood each day. The end
result is about 2 quarts of waste products and excess fluid,
which is passed from the body as urine. Along with removing
waste products, your kidneys are responsibl