The Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease That Black Americans Should Know

Black Americans are generally at higher risk for kidney disease than the general population. This may stem from higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure, which are both kidney disease risk factors.

Some other causes of kidney disease are having:

• Extra weight

• Cardiovascular disease

• A family history of high blood pressure. 

One hereditary kidney disease is called polycystic kidney disease, which is when fluid-filled cysts form in the kidneys. These cysts grow and take over the kidneys; this may eventually cause kidney failure. 

It’s important to have a primary care provider and get regular blood pressure checks and blood work done. Once you know whether you have kidney disease, you will be empowered to start treating it.

What are the stages of chronic kidney disease?

If you’re diagnosed with kidney disease, the stage of your disease depends on your glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This is a measure of how well your kidneys are removing waste and extra water from your blood. 

• Stage 1: Your GFR is greater than 90.

• Stage 2: Your GFR is 60 to 90.

• Stage 3: Your GFR is 30 to 60. At this point, you’ll likely need a referral to a nephrologist. This is a physician who specializes in kidney diseases.

• Stage 4: Your GFR is 15 to 30, meaning you are progressing to end-stage kidney disease.

• Stage 5: Your GFR is less than 15, meaning you have end-stage kidney disease and you likely would need dialysis.

What are signs of kidney function decline?

“The interesting thing about kidney disease is that it’s [often] asymptomatic, meaning that you won’t [generally experience symptoms] in the early stages,” says Scherly Leon, MD, Internist specializing in Nephrology in New York City.  “However, in the later stages you [are more likely] to start having some symptoms that indicate that you’re getting sick.”

As you approach advanced stages of kidney disease, you may begin experiencing signs of kidney decline, such as:

• Fatigue

• Increased swelling

• Alterations in your urination frequency or schedule

• Foamy urine

• Bone weakness

• Symptoms of anemia, such as lightheadedness

• Lower back pain

• Headaches or blurred vision if you have high blood pressure

If your kidney decline is caused by polycystic kidney disease, symptoms can be different. You may experience earlier symptoms, such as back pain from enlarged kidneys, or blood in your urine.

Leon says that if you can accept your diagnosis of chronic kidney disease, you can live with it — as long as you make healthy choices that may help slow the progression of the disease.

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Written by:

Marisa Taylor Karas

Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.

Reviewed by:

Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Alexandra Schwarz, MD, is a board-eligible sleep medicine physician and a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a member of both the AASM and the ABFM.

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