What causes ESRD?
In the United States, the leading cause of ESRD is diabetes. The second leading cause is uncontrolled high blood pressure. The third cause is glomerulonephritis: a disease that damages the kidney’s filtering units (called glomeruli). In many cases, the cause of this particular disease is not known, but some cases may be inherited and others may be triggered by an infection. Other reasons: Polycystic Kidney Disease, overuse of some over-the-counter painkillers, and taking illegal drugs such as heroin.
