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Kidney disease stages describe how well the kidneys are functioning and how much damage has occurred over time. There are five stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), based on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In Stage 1, kidney function is normal but early damage is present. Stage 2 shows mild loss of function. Stage 3 indicates moderate kidney damage and may cause symptoms like fatigue or swelling. Stage 4 reflects severe loss of kidney function and requires careful medical management. Stage 5 is kidney failure, where dialysis or transplant may be needed. Early diagnosis helps slow disease progression.