Kidney Health 9 min read·Updated 22 July 2026 Clinician-reviewed

What Causes Kidney Disease?

A UK Consultant Nephrologist on the main causes of chronic kidney disease — and the modifiable risk factors you can act on today.

  • Clinically Reviewed
  • NHS & NICE Aligned
  • UK Evidence-Based
  • Last Reviewed 22 July 2026

Professor Mohammed Mahdi Althaf

Consultant Nephrologist & Acute Physician

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Professor Mohammed Mahdi Althaf

MD, MSc, PgDip (Clin Ed), FRCP, FHEA, FASN

Consultant Nephrologist & Acute Physician · GMC 7216325

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Direct answer

Diabetes and high blood pressure cause the majority of CKD in the UK. Other major causes are glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease (PKD), repeated acute kidney injury, long-term NSAID use, and urinary obstruction. Many causes are preventable or modifiable — early detection and BP / glucose control are the highest-impact interventions.

Key recommendation: Diabetes = #1 cause of CKD in the UK.

Quick answer

✓ Best choices

  • Vegetables, lower-potassium fruit and whole grains
  • Sensible portions of fish, eggs, chicken or tofu
  • Olive oil and unsalted nuts in small amounts

✓ Foods to limit

  • Added salt and ultra-processed foods
  • Phosphate additives in processed meats and ready meals
  • Sugary and energy drinks

Key takeaway

Diabetes and high blood pressure cause the majority of CKD in the UK. Other major causes are glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease (PKD), repeated acute kidney injury, long-term NSAID use, and urinary obstruction. Many causes are preventable or modifiable — early detection and BP / glucose control are the highest-impact interventions.

Who should be cautious

People on dialysis, post-transplant, pregnant or breastfeeding, or taking prescription medication — confirm with your renal team before changes.

What Causes Kidney Disease?

The main causes of CKD

  1. Diabetic kidney disease (diabetes type 1 or 2) — ~ 30% of cases.
  2. Hypertensive nephrosclerosis (long-standing high BP) — ~ 25%.
  3. Glomerulonephritis (immune-mediated kidney inflammation) — ~ 15%.
  4. Polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) — ~ 8%.
  5. Obstructive uropathy (stones, prostate enlargement, strictures).
  6. Reflux nephropathy (childhood urinary reflux).
  7. Drug-induced CKD (long-term NSAIDs, lithium, some chemotherapy).
  8. Recurrent acute kidney injury (AKI) — each AKI increases CKD risk.

Risk factors you can change

  • Blood pressure: target < 140/90 (< 130/80 if diabetic or proteinuric).
  • Blood glucose if diabetic: HbA1c around 53 mmol/mol (7.0%).
  • Smoking: doubles CKD progression — quit.
  • Weight: every 5% loss helps BP and glucose.
  • NSAIDs: avoid regular use; switch to paracetamol where possible.
  • Hydration: 1.5–2 L water daily (unless restricted).
  • Salt: < 6 g/day to control BP.

Kidney Vitality is a daily multivitamin developed by a UK Consultant Nephrologist using renal nutrition principles. It contains no added potassium, magnesium, phosphorus or iron, and no herbal blends. See the formulation.

Risk factors you can't change — but should monitor

Age over 60, family history of CKD, South Asian, African or Caribbean heritage, history of childhood kidney problems, and previous AKI episodes. None of these mean you'll develop CKD — but they mean annual eGFR + ACR is well worth asking your GP for.

10 Early Signs of Kidney Problems
Related reading: 10 Early Signs of Kidney Problems.

Key practical tips

Designed for quick scanning — what to order, what to avoid, sensible portions, common mistakes.

  • Cook from scratch when you can
  • Read sodium labels (≤ 0.3 g per 100 g is low)
  • Take any concerns to your GP or renal team early

Clinical guidance

TL;DR summary

Diabetes and high blood pressure cause the majority of CKD in the UK. Other major causes are glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease (PKD), repeated acute kidney injury, long-term NSAID use, and urinary obstruction. Many causes are preventable or modifiable — early detection and BP / glucose control are the highest-impact interventions.

Key takeaways
  • Diabetes = #1 cause of CKD in the UK.
  • High blood pressure = #2 cause.
  • Glomerulonephritis = #3 cause.
  • PKD is the most common inherited cause.
  • Long-term NSAIDs and repeated AKI are modifiable.
Kidney Diet & Nutrition Considerations

Diet is one of the most powerful tools you have to look after your kidneys. UK renal guidance points to a Mediterranean-style, reduced-salt pattern: plenty of vegetables, lower-potassium fruit, whole grains, sensible protein, beans and pulses in moderation, oily fish and olive oil. Personal targets — for potassium, phosphate, protein and fluid — should be set by your renal team based on your bloods.

Foods to prioritise

  • Vegetables, lower-potassium fruit and whole grains
  • Sensible portions of fish, eggs, chicken or tofu
  • Olive oil and unsalted nuts in small amounts

Foods to limit

  • Added salt and ultra-processed foods
  • Phosphate additives in processed meats and ready meals
  • Sugary and energy drinks

Potassium, phosphate and protein needs vary between individuals — please confirm personal targets with your renal team or dietitian. Browse the Kidney Diet Hub for more guides in this cluster.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common cause of kidney disease?

Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD in the UK, followed closely by high blood pressure (hypertension). Together they account for around 60–70% of new dialysis starts. Other major causes include glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease (PKD), and obstruction (stones, prostate enlargement).

Can dehydration cause kidney disease?

Repeated severe dehydration can cause acute kidney injury (AKI), and repeated AKIs increase long-term CKD risk. Day-to-day mild dehydration doesn't cause CKD, but staying well-hydrated reduces stone risk and supports overall kidney function.

Is kidney disease hereditary?

Some forms are. Polycystic kidney disease (autosomal dominant PKD, or ADPKD) affects 1 in 1,000 and is the most common inherited cause. Alport syndrome, Fabry disease and atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome are rarer inherited causes. A family history of CKD also increases your risk even without a single gene defect.

Can painkillers cause kidney damage?

Yes — regular long-term use of NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac) is a recognised cause of CKD and can trigger AKI, especially in older adults or anyone dehydrated. Paracetamol is generally safer for the kidneys. Always check with a pharmacist or GP if you take pain relief daily.

What foods are good for kidney health?

A Mediterranean-style, mostly plant-based, reduced-salt diet is the most consistent evidence-based pattern for kidney health. Build meals around vegetables, lower-potassium fruit, whole grains, fish, eggs or tofu, beans and pulses in moderation, and olive oil.

Nutritional challenges in kidney disease

Many people living with kidney disease have to limit foods because of potassium, phosphate, diabetes, dialysis, appetite changes or simply the time it takes to cook from scratch every day. That can make it harder to keep daily nutrition balanced — particularly for vitamins and minerals that food alone may not fully cover.

Kidney Vitality is a UK-formulated daily nutritional support product designed by Consultant Nephrologist Professor Mohammed Mahdi Althaf with renal nutrition in mind from the start. It keeps doses moderate, leaves out added potassium, phosphate and magnesium, and avoids megadose vitamin A — sitting alongside a kidney-friendly diet, not replacing it.

Why Kidney Vitality fits this need

Built around UK renal guidance

Aligned with NICE NG203, NICE NG148 (AKI) and KDIGO 2024 CKD guidance.

Designed by a UK Consultant Nephrologist

Formulated and reviewed by Professor Mohammed Mahdi Althaf (GMC 7216325).

Evidence-based by design

Evidence-based, NHS-aligned, focused on what you can act on.

Designed by a UK Consultant Nephrologist

Ready to support your kidney health?

If you have been researching kidney health, supplements, CKD nutrition or kidney-friendly living, Kidney Vitality was developed specifically around those principles by Professor Mohammed Mahdi Althaf (GMC 7216325). Nephrologist Developed Daily Multivitamin.

  • No Added Potassium
  • No Added Magnesium
  • No Added Phosphorus
  • No Added Iron
  • One capsule daily
  • UK GMP — BRCGS, NSF GMP, Halal
Subscribe & Save — £20.39/monthCheck your current multivitamin

✓ Free UK tracked delivery  ·  ✓ Delivered every 30 days  ·  ✓ Pause or cancel anytime  ·  ✓ Never run out

ComparisonKidney VitalityTypical high-street multivitamin
Added potassiumNoneOften included
Added phosphateNoneOften included (E338–E452)
Vitamin A (retinol)No megadoseOften high-dose retinol
Kidney-focused formulationYesNo — general population
Consultant Nephrologist involvementYes (GMC 7216325)No
UK GMP manufacturedYes (BRCGS, NSF GMP)Varies

Food supplement. Not a medicine and not a treatment for kidney disease. Speak with your GP, pharmacist or renal team before starting any new supplement, especially in advanced CKD, on dialysis, post-transplant, pregnant or breastfeeding.

Clinical reviewer

Professor Mohammed Mahdi Althaf

Consultant Nephrologist

Acute Physician

GMC 7216325

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Professor Mohammed Mahdi Althaf is a UK Consultant Nephrologist and Acute Physician with a special interest in chronic kidney disease, AKI prevention and renal nutrition. He combines hospital practice with patient education and clinical guidance review.

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View Credentials
  • MD
  • MSc
  • PgDip (Clin Ed)
  • FRCP
  • FHEA
  • FASN

About this article

Written for UK patients and based on:

  • NICE guidance
  • NHS resources
  • British Dietetic Association guidance
  • Kidney Care UK resources
View methodology

Each article is researched against current UK clinical guidance (NICE NG203, NG118, NG136), NHS patient resources, KDIGO and KDOQI international guidelines, and the British Dietetic Association Renal Nutrition Group. Drafts are written by the Kidney Vitality editorial team and reviewed by a UK Consultant Nephrologist before publication. Content is reviewed on a rolling basis and updated when guidance changes.

Editorial standards

  • Clinically reviewed
  • NHS-aligned
  • NICE-aligned
  • Evidence-based
  • Reviewed before publication
View full editorial process

Every article is researched and written by the Kidney Vitality editorial team using current UK clinical guidance (NICE NG203, NG118, NG136), NHS patient resources, KDIGO/KDOQI international guidelines, and British Dietetic Association renal nutrition guidance. Drafts are reviewed for clinical accuracy by Professor Mohammed Mahdi Althaf, MD, MSc, PgDip (Clin Ed), FRCP, FHEA, FASN (Consultant Nephrologist & Acute Physician, GMC 7216325) before publication. Content is updated when UK guidance changes.

References (4)View Sources
  1. NICE NG203: Chronic kidney disease — assessment and management
  2. KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of CKD
  3. KDOQI Clinical Practice Guideline for Nutrition in CKD: 2020 Update
  4. British Dietetic Association — Renal Nutrition Group

Medical disclaimer

This content is educational only and does not replace personalised medical advice.

Read full disclaimer

This page is general information, not personal medical advice. If you have chronic kidney disease, are on dialysis, have had a kidney transplant, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take prescription medication, please confirm any supplement with your GP, pharmacist or renal team before starting.

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