# Why Kidney Failure Is Striking the Young—And How to Stop It
Kidney disease is often associated with older adults, but younger people are not immune. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can occur at any age, and certain conditions, medications, inherited disorders, and lifestyle-related risk factors can increase the chance of kidney damage over time.
What makes kidney disease particularly concerning is that its early stages may cause few or no obvious symptoms. By the time swelling, fatigue, changes in urination, nausea, or other noticeable problems develop, kidney function may already have declined substantially.
