Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
CKD means the kidneys have been working below normal for months. With monitoring, diet and doctor-led care, its progression can often be slowed.
Medically reviewed by the RIIMS nephrology team · Last updated: June 2026
What is CKD?
Chronic Kidney Disease means the kidneys have worked below normal for months, and it is staged 1 to 5 using your eGFR, from Stage 1 (eGFR 90 or more) down to Stage 5 (below 15). Modern guidelines read eGFR together with albuminuria (urine protein), because someone at an early stage with heavy protein leak can carry more risk than the number alone suggests. The stage is not a final verdict. It can change. Finding the cause, most often diabetes or high blood pressure, while protecting remaining function is what matters most.
Symptoms to watch for
- Often no symptoms in early stages
- Swelling around ankles or eyes
- Foamy urine or a change in output
- Tiredness, weakness, poor concentration
- Rising creatinine / falling eGFR on reports
- High blood pressure or low hemoglobin
When to consult a kidney doctor
If your eGFR is falling, urine shows protein, or you have diabetes or BP with abnormal kidney reports, consult early. Early-stage care offers the most options.