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This week on The Med Edit Podcast, Dr. Jessica Gray and Dr. Cari Sorrell tackle one of medicine’s most overlooked yet widespread health issues: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Affecting roughly 1 in 7 adults in the U.S., CKD is a silent epidemic — often undetected until it reaches advanced stages.

To help separate myth from medicine, they’re joined by Dr. Ashley Garcia-Everett, a board-certified nephrologist, Associate Professor at UT Health San Antonio, and Medical Director at one of University Hospital’s dialysis centers. Together, they break down what kidney disease actually is, how it develops, and what you can do to protect your kidneys long before symptoms start.

Later in the episode, the doctors dive into Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) — one of the most common inherited kidney disorders — exploring how genetics, screening, and new therapies like tolvaptan are changing outcomes for families affected by the disease.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

What CKD Really Means

• How kidneys act as your body’s filters — and what happens when they start to fail
• Why diabetes and high blood pressure account for 2/3 of CKD cases
• The 5 stages of kidney disease and how eGFR testing works

Prevention and Early Detection

• What symptoms to look for (and why most people miss them)
• The simple blood and urine tests that can catch CKD early
• How lifestyle changes — like managing blood sugar and blood pressure — can slow progression

Nutrition & Lifestyle

• What a “kidney-friendly diet” looks like
• Common habits that harm kidney function — including overusing NSAIDs
• Why staying hydrated in moderation matters

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

• The difference between autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive PKD
• How cysts form and why family history is key to early screening
• The latest treatments, including tolvaptan, and when dialysis or transplant may become necessary

Myth-Busting Segment Highlights

• “Just drink more water and your kidneys will be fine.”
• “Only older people get kidney disease.”
• “You’ll always know if something’s wrong.” .
• “Kidney teas can prevent or reverse CKD.”

Resources Mentioned

• National Kidney Foundation – CKD Overview
• American Kidney Fund – CKD Stages
• PKD Foundation
• NIH – Polycystic Kidney Disease Research

Key Takeaways

• CKD is common but preventable — early screening is everything.
• Polycystic Kidney Disease may be inherited, but knowledge empowers prevention and treatment.
• Lifestyle, medication, and education are your strongest tools for kidney health.