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Kidney disease: What is it and how to prevent it
According to Guatemalan doctors, kidney disease is a silent condition, but can be prevented if certain measures are taken for the benefit of health.
Kidney conditions cover several conditions, including acute failures to chronic renal disease. (Free Press Photo: Shuttersock).
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In May 2025, The World Health Organization (WHO) called on all countries to prevent chronic kidney diseasethis being an initiative that was born in Guatemala.
Renal disease covers different spectra of conditions that affect the kidneys. According to doctor Stuardo Batres, This refers to the acute or chronic damage that the kidney may suffer.
This means that there may be acute consequences for Dehydration, diarrhea or infections that cause the kidney not to work properly. On the other hand, when it comes to chronic damage, the specialist explains that it is a damage that has been suffered for several years and that prevents the kidney from fulfilling its functions.
According to the nephrologist Agualuz Hernández, from the Guatemalan Social Security Institute, Chronic renal disease is defined as the progressive and irreversible loss of the function of the kidneys.
The specialist explains that renal disease is classified into five stages, depending on the degree of damage suffered by the kidneys.
Chronic kidney disease stages
- Stage 1. The kidneys work at 90 percent.
- Stadium 2. The renal function is developed between 60 and 89 percent.
- Stadium 3. Operation is reduced to 30 or 60 percent.
- Stadium 4. Renal operation ranges between 15 and 30 percent.
- Stadium 5. The kidneys operate in a percentage of less than 15 percent. According to Hernández, in this phase patients require dialysis or transplant.
Chronic kidney disease symptoms
According to the nephrologist José Antonio Loaiza, in the initial stadiums there are no symptoms. Hence the importance of performing urine, creatinine and other tests to diagnose.
In advanced stages, edemas, nausea, general discomfort and other discomforts due to the toxins accumulated in the body may occur. “Its main function is to maintain a balance throughout the body, maintaining equilibrium of electrolytes, liquids, among others,” adds Loaiza.
Renal disease prevention
Batres and other specialists agree that one of the best ways to prevent renal failure is through good habits. In particular, take the two liters of water that are required daily and increase the intake when there is warm climate.
In addition, the specialists suggest the corresponding exams to make an early detection of the disease: “For this it is recommended to regularly take creatinine exam, urea nitrogen and urine exam. To know the health of our kidneys, a healthy person, or even children and adolescents, must do so once a year,” adds the nephrologist Hernández.
Statistics in Guatemala about kidney disease
The Minister of Health, Joaquín Barnoya, reiterates that there is a broad spectrum of kidney diseases in our country. In that sense, Barnoya points out that a renal disease can be an acute failure that happens to a person who suddenly dehydrates, even a kidney cancer or chronic renal disease.
However, emphasizes that the focus is put on chronic kidney disease. As for the figures of the affection in the country, it emphasizes that it is difficult to have exact numbers because it is a silent disease and with several stages.
“In 2019 there were just over 3 thousand cases in the country and by 2024 there were already 12 thousand. They are not new cases, it is prevalence, that is, the number of people who live with the disease,” he says. In this range there are people who have a kidney transplant or are in dialysis processes.
Likewise, Barnoya warns that kidney disease It is part of the first five causes of death in Guatemalawhich is why it is essential to prevention of it.
Additional recommendations to prevent kidney disease
- Take care of water intakeas mentioned above. Drinking eight to 10 glasses daily is beneficial to prevent this condition.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain adequate weight. Remember to go with nutrition professionals if necessary.
- Consume a balanced diet. It is necessary to avoid the consumption of processed foods, junk food and packaged drinks.
- Does not smoke or eat salt in excess.
- Remember to keep your blood pressure and glucose at normal levels.
- Make regular checks of the function of the kidneys, which includes a urine exam and a measurement of creatinine and nitrogen of urea in blood.
*Other sources consulted: El Pilar Hospital.
