Which are the leading causes of kidney disease?

High blood pressure and diabetes are recognized as the leading causes of kidney disease due to their significant impact on kidney function over time.

When blood pressure is consistently elevated, it can cause damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys. This impairs their ability to filter waste from the blood effectively, which may lead to chronic kidney disease. Similarly, diabetes, particularly when poorly managed, can lead to a condition known as diabetic nephropathy. In this scenario, high blood sugar levels can damage the glomeruli, which are the filtering units of the kidneys. As these conditions worsen, they can result in progressive renal failure, requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation.

Understanding these connections is crucial for patient care technicians, as they often play a role in monitoring patients for these risk factors and assisting in managing their overall health to prevent or mitigate the progression of kidney disease.