What is Stage 3A Kidney Disease and what does it do to your body? Stage 3A kidney disease is a classification of chronic kidney disease (CKD) where the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is between 45 and 59 milliliters per minute (mL/min). The GFR is a measure of how well your kidneys are functioning, and a GFR in this range indicates that the kidneys are moderately damaged and have a reduced ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood.
As the kidneys become more damaged, waste products and fluids can build up in the body, leading to a range of symptoms and complications. In stage 3A kidney disease, some common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, anemia, reduced appetite, difficulty concentrating, and changes in urination. In addition, the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and bone disease increases as kidney function declines.
Not everyone with stage 3A kidney disease will experience symptoms or complications, and that the progression of the disease can vary from person to person. However, it is important to work with a healthcare professional to monitor kidney function and manage any symptoms or complications that may arise. Lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and not smoking can also be helpful in managing stage 3A kidney disease.
How Can You Stop 3A Kidney Disease From Progressing?
These are steps you can take to slow down or prevent further progression of stage 3A kidney disease:
- Manage underlying health conditions: If you have conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes that are contributing to your kidney disease, it's important to manage them effectively. This can include taking medications as prescribed, following a healthy diet, and staying physically active.
- Monitor your kidney function: Your healthcare provider will likely recommend regular blood and urine tests to monitor your kidney function. This can help identify any changes in your kidney function and guide treatment decisions.
- Control blood sugar levels: If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar levels under control can help prevent further damage to your kidneys.
- Follow a kidney-friendly diet: Eating a diet that is low in sodium, phosphorus, and protein can help reduce the workload on your kidneys and slow down the progression of kidney disease. Your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian can provide guidance on a kidney-friendly diet.
- Stay physically active: Regular exercise can help improve your overall health and well-being, and may also help slow down the progression of kidney disease.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption: Smoking can damage blood vessels and worsen kidney function, while excessive alcohol consumption can put additional stress on the kidneys.
It's important to work with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized plan to manage stage 3A kidney disease. They can provide guidance on the specific steps you should take to slow down the progression of your kidney disease and manage any symptoms or complications that arise.
What Other Health Conditions Can You Develop If You Have 3A Kidney Disease?
Stage 3A kidney disease is a type of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and can increase the risk of developing other health conditions. Some common health conditions that can develop as a result of stage 3A kidney disease include:
- High blood pressure: Kidney disease can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension), and high blood pressure can, in turn, worsen kidney function. Managing blood pressure is important in slowing the progression of kidney disease.
- Anemia: The kidneys produce a hormone that helps produce red blood cells. As kidney function declines, this hormone production may decrease, leading to anemia. Anemia can cause fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
- Cardiovascular disease: Chronic kidney disease, including stage 3A, is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Kidney disease can cause changes in the blood vessels, leading to hardening of the arteries, and increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Bone disease: Kidney disease can lead to an imbalance in calcium and phosphorus, which can lead to bone disease. This can cause bone pain, brittle bones, and an increased risk of fractures.
- Fluid overload: As kidney function declines, excess fluid can build up in the body, leading to swelling in the legs and other areas. In severe cases, fluid overload can cause shortness of breath.
- Nerve damage: Kidney disease can cause nerve damage, leading to symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hands and feet.
Please work with a healthcare provider to manage stage 3A kidney disease and to monitor for the development of these and other health conditions. By managing kidney disease effectively, you can reduce the risk of developing these complications and improve your overall health and quality of life.
Ways To Treat 3A Kidney Disease
The treatment of stage 3A kidney disease is aimed at slowing down or stopping the progression of the disease and managing any symptoms or complications that arise. Here are some ways to treat stage 3A kidney disease:
- Manage underlying health conditions: If you have conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or anemia that are contributing to your kidney disease, it's important to manage them effectively. This can include taking medications as prescribed, following a healthy diet, and staying physically active.
- Medications: Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to help manage the symptoms of kidney disease, such as high blood pressure, anemia, or fluid overload.
- Lifestyle changes: Making lifestyle changes such as following a kidney-friendly diet, getting regular exercise, and not smoking can help improve kidney function and reduce the risk of complications.
- Dialysis: In some cases, stage 3A kidney disease may progress to the point where dialysis is needed. Dialysis is a medical procedure that helps filter waste and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly.
- Kidney transplant: In some cases, a kidney transplant may be recommended if kidney function declines to the point where dialysis is no longer effective.
Work with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan for stage 3A kidney disease. They can provide guidance on the specific steps you should take to manage your kidney disease and improve your overall health and quality of life.