Chronic kidney disease is defined as having some type of kidney abnormality or "marker" such as protein in the urine, and having decreased kidney function for three months or longer. There are many causes of chronic kidney disease. The kidneys are most commonly affected by diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Some kidney conditions are inherited (run in families). Others are congenital; that is, individuals may be born with an abnormality that can affect their kidneys. The following are some of the most common types and causes of kidney damage.

• Diabetes (High Blood Sugar)
• High blood pressure (High B.P.)
• Drugs and toxins
• Kidney stones
• Urinary tract infections
• Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney's tiny filtering units called the glomeruli.)
• Polycystic kidney disease (most common inherited kidney disease).
• Congenital diseases