Kidneys are one of the most important organs in the body. They are responsible for filtering excess water and waste substances out of the blood. The accumulation of toxins makes kidney disease quite common in adults. It is estimated that millions of people are suffering from damaged or defective kidneys. In the long run, the condition would result in many other health issues, such as malnutrition, nerve breakdowns, or weak bones. With proper treatment options, fortunately, people with kidney disease would improve their quality of life and live happily. Keep reading to learn more about different stages and life expectancy of the condition.
Glomerular Filtration Rate
Kidney disease is divided into many different stages, based on the glomerular filtration rate or GFR. This is basically a blood test that measures the amount of blood cleaned by your kidneys per minute. The results indicate the levels of creatinine to assess the filtering activities of these organs. A normal GFR is approximately 80 ml/minute/m2. However, the readings can be wrong in those individuals who have much less or more muscles than others with the same ethnics, sex, and age. [1]