Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease: What You Can Do to Protect Your Kidneys

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March is National Kidney Month, and on March 12, the world will observe World Kidney Day under the 2026 theme, "Kidney Health for All: Caring for People, Protecting the Planet." This year's campaign draws attention to the growing global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the urgent need for prevention and early detection [1].

What Is Chronic Kidney Disease?

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine, just below the rib cage. Their primary function is to filter waste products, excess fluid, and toxins from the blood, which are then excreted as urine. The kidneys also play an essential role in regulating blood pressure, maintaining electrolyte balance, and producing hormones that support red blood cell production and bone health [2].

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition in which the kidneys become damaged over time and gradually lose their ability to perform these vital functions. When the kidneys do not work well, toxic waste accumulates in the body and can lead to serious complications, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and premature death [2]. CKD is classified into five stages based on how well the kidneys are filtering blood, measured by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), with stage 1 representing mild damage and stage 5 representing kidney failure [3].

A Growing Global Health Challenge

CKD is not only a national concern but a rapidly growing global health crisis. According to the most recent Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study, the number of adults living with CKD worldwide has more than doubled since 1990, reaching nearly 800 million [4]. The study, which tracked CKD trends among adults aged 20 years and older across 204 countries and territories from 1990 through 2023, found that CKD was the ninth leading cause of death globally in 2023, claiming nearly 1.5 million lives [4]. Unlike most other leading causes of death, the global mortality rate from CKD has increased over the past three decades [4].

The GBD 2023 study identified 14 risk factors for CKD and found that high fasting plasma glucose, high body-mass index (BMI), and high systolic blood pressure were the three leading drivers of the greatest loss of healthy years of life due to CKD [4]. Dietary factors, such as low fruit and vegetable intake and high sodium consumption, also made substantial contributions [4]. In clinical terms, these risk factors correspond to diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, the three conditions explored in detail in this article.

In the United States, the burden is also significant. More than 1 in 7 adults, an estimated 35.5 million people, are living with CKD [2]. Perhaps most concerning is that as many as 9 in 10 adults with CKD do not know they have it, because early-stage kidney disease usually has no symptoms [2].

The good news is that many of the major risk factors for CKD are modifiable, meaning they can be managed or prevented through lifestyle changes, regular screening, and timely medical care. This article discusses these key risk factors and outlines practical steps you can take to protect your kidneys.

Understanding the Diabetes and Kidney Disease Connection

Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD in the United States and in most industrialized countries worldwide [5]. In 2022, diabetes accounted for approximately 45% of new cases of kidney failure in the United States [6]. Among adults with diabetes, about 1 in 3 may have kidney disease [2].

The connection between diabetes and kidney disease is driven primarily by chronic hyperglycemia, that is, persistently high blood glucose (sugar) levels. Over time, high blood glucose damages the small blood vessels in the kidneys that are responsible for filtering waste from the blood [5]. When these blood vessels are damaged, the kidneys cannot filter blood as efficiently, and protein begins to leak into the urine, one of the earliest detectable signs of kidney damage [5]. If left uncontrolled, this damage progresses and can eventually lead to kidney failure, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive [7].

What makes this especially important is that kidney disease in people with diabetes can develop silently over many years. A person may already have significant kidney damage by the time symptoms become noticeable [7]. This is why regular screening is so critical for anyone living with diabetes.

What you can do:

  • Monitor your blood glucose: Work with your healthcare provider to keep your blood glucose levels within your target range. The hemoglobin A1C test, which measures your average blood glucose over the past 3 months, is a key tool for monitoring long-term blood sugar control [5].
  • Get screened annually: If you have diabetes, get screened for kidney disease at least once a year. The two recommended tests are a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR), which checks for protein in the urine, and a blood test to estimate your glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which measures how well your kidneys are filtering blood [8].

How High Blood Pressure Affects the Kidneys

High blood pressure (hypertension) is both a leading cause of CKD and a common consequence of it, creating a cycle that accelerates kidney damage if left untreated [9]. In the United States, about 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure may have kidney disease [2].

When blood pressure is elevated, the increased force of blood flowing through the blood vessels can damage the delicate filtering units of the kidneys over time [9]. Once the kidneys are damaged, they become less effective at regulating blood pressure, which can cause blood pressure to rise further [9]. This is why controlling blood pressure is one of the most important steps a person can take to protect kidney health.

What you can do:

  • Check your blood pressure regularly: A blood pressure reading consistently at or above 130/80 mmHg may indicate hypertension [10].
  • Take medications as prescribed: If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, take your prescribed medications as directed by your healthcare provider. Certain blood pressure lowering medications, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), are specifically recommended for people with CKD because they help protect the kidneys [8].
  • Reduce your sodium intake: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting sodium to less than 2,300 milligrams per day, and many people with high blood pressure or kidney disease may benefit from even lower intake [11].

The Role of Body Weight in Kidney Health

Being overweight or obese is an independent risk factor for the development and progression of CKD [12]. Excess body weight is closely linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure, all of which increase the strain on the kidneys [12]. In addition, obesity can cause direct structural changes in the kidneys, including increased pressure within the kidney's filtering units, which contributes to kidney damage over time [12].

The GBD 2023 study confirmed that high body-mass index remains one of the leading modifiable risk factors for CKD globally [4]. The rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes, together with global population aging, is a major driver of the increasing burden of CKD worldwide [4].

What you can do:

  • Aim for a healthy body weight: Even modest weight loss, about 5% to 10% of your body weight, can improve blood pressure, blood glucose control, and kidney function [10].
  • Stay physically active: Regular physical activity helps control weight, lower blood pressure, and improve insulin sensitivity. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week [10].
  • Adopt a balanced, nutrient-dense diet: Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, and low in processed foods, added sugars, and excess sodium, support both kidney health and overall cardiovascular health [11].

Other Risk Factors to Know About

While diabetes, high blood pressure, and elevated body weight are the most significant modifiable risk factors for CKD, other factors also play a role:

  • Smoking: Tobacco use damages blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the kidneys. Smoking reduces blood flow to the kidneys, which can impair their function and accelerate the progression of existing kidney disease [10]. Smoking is also associated with an increased risk of developing albuminuria, the presence of abnormal levels of protein in the urine, which is one of the earliest markers of kidney damage [2]. Quitting smoking is one of the most impactful steps a person can take to protect both kidney and overall cardiovascular health.
  • Overuse of certain medications: Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can harm the kidneys if used frequently or over long periods, especially in people who already have reduced kidney function [2].
  • Family history: Having a close relative with kidney disease or diabetes increases your risk of developing CKD. Knowing your family history allows you to take proactive steps, such as discussing early and regular screening with your healthcare provider, so that any changes in kidney function can be detected before symptoms appear [2].
  • Cardiovascular disease: Heart disease and kidney disease are closely linked. Conditions such as heart failure can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, while CKD increases the risk of cardiovascular events [2].

Why Early Detection Matters

CKD is a progressive condition. Once kidney damage has occurred, it generally cannot be reversed. However, when detected early, the progression of CKD can be significantly slowed through lifestyle changes and medical treatment [7]. This is why screening is so important, particularly for people with one or more risk factors.

The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) organization updated its clinical practice guidelines in 2024, reinforcing the recommendation that people at risk for CKD should be tested using both a blood test to estimate kidney function (eGFR) and a urine test to check for albumin (uACR) [8]. These are simple, widely available, and cost-effective tests that can detect kidney dysfunction before symptoms appear [1].

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, obesity, or a family history of kidney disease, talk to your healthcare provider about being screened for CKD.
Early detection can make a meaningful difference.

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Protect Your Kidneys: Key Takeaways

  • Know your risk. Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, family history of kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease all increase your risk for CKD.
  • Get screened. If you are at risk, ask your healthcare provider about kidney function testing (eGFR and uACR). Early-stage CKD has no symptoms, and testing is the only way to know.
  • Manage your blood sugar. If you have diabetes, keeping blood glucose within your target range is one of the most important things you can do to protect your kidneys.
  • Control your blood pressure. Work with your healthcare provider to keep your blood pressure below recommended thresholds, and take prescribed medications as directed.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. A balanced diet and regular physical activity help reduce strain on the kidneys and lower the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure.
  • Avoid kidney-harming substances. Limit the use of NSAIDs, stay hydrated, and avoid tobacco products.

This National Kidney Month, take a moment to consider your kidney health. Your kidneys work silently every day to keep your body in balance, and protecting them starts with awareness, prevention, and early action.

 

References

1. World Kidney Day Joint Steering Committee. World Kidney Day 2026: Kidney Health for All: Caring for People, Protecting the Planet. Available at: https://www.worldkidneyday.org/2026-campaign/  Accessed February 24, 2026.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2023. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2023. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/kidney-disease/php/data-research/index.html  Accessed February 24, 2026.

3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Kidney Disease. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease  Accessed February 24, 2026.

4. GBD 2023 Chronic Kidney Disease Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of chronic kidney disease in adults, 1990-2023, and its attributable risk factors: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. The Lancet. 2025;406(10518):2461-2482. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736 (25)01853-7

5. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Diabetic Kidney Disease. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/diabetic-kidney-disease  Accessed February 24, 2026.

6. United States Renal Data System. 2024 USRDS Annual Data Report: Epidemiology of Kidney Disease in the United States. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2024. Available at: https://usrds-adr.niddk.nih.gov/2024  Accessed February 24, 2026.

7. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Kidney Disease Statistics for the United States. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/kidney-disease  Accessed February 24, 2026.

8. Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) CKD Work Group. KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney International. 2024;105(4S):S117-S314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kint.2023.10.018

9. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/high-blood-pressure  Accessed February 24, 2026.

10. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). High Blood Pressure: Treatment. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-pressure/treatment  Accessed February 24, 2026.

11. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition. December 2020. Available at: https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov  Accessed February 24, 2026.

12. Kovesdy CP, Furth SL, Zoccali C; on behalf of the World Kidney Day Steering Committee. Obesity and Kidney Disease: Hidden Consequences of the Epidemic. Kidney International. 2017;91(2):260-262. doi:10.1016/j.kint.2016.10.019.

Cynthia Chisom Edeh is a physician-scientist with years of clinical and research experience focused on evidence-based research for health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.