About Kidney Compass
Our mission is to provide clear, practical kidney disease education that helps patients and families understand their condition, their options, and their path forward.
Why Kidney Compass Exists
Being diagnosed with kidney disease is overwhelming. You leave the doctor's office with new terminology, confusing lab numbers, and more questions than answers. When you search online, you often find medical textbooks rewritten for the web — technically accurate but nearly impossible to understand without a medical degree.
We believe every patient deserves to understand their condition in plain language — what their lab results actually mean, which dietary changes matter most, what each stage of CKD involves, and what questions to bring to their next appointment.
About the Founder
Kidney Compass was created by Constantin Schünemann after being diagnosed with stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD).
After the diagnosis, I found that many explanations of kidney disease were difficult to understand. Lab values like GFR, creatinine, and CKD stages were often explained in highly technical language that was hard to translate into everyday decisions.
Kidney Compass was created to make kidney disease information clear, structured, and accessible for patients and their families.
The goal is not to replace medical advice, but to help people better understand their condition, ask better questions, and feel less overwhelmed by complex information.
This website provides educational information only and does not provide medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your condition.
About the Author
Constantin Schunemann is the founder of Kidney Compass and a CKD patient himself. Diagnosed with stage 4 chronic kidney disease, he experienced firsthand the confusion, fear, and information overload that comes with a kidney disease diagnosis.
Unable to find plain-language resources that actually helped him understand his condition, he created Kidney Compass to fill that gap — translating complex medical concepts into clear, actionable information for patients and their families.
Perspective: Patient advocate, not a medical professional. All content on Kidney Compass is researched using peer-reviewed sources and clinical guidelines from organizations like KDIGO, the National Kidney Foundation, NIDDK, and the NHS. Content is reviewed for accuracy but does not constitute medical advice.
Read our editorial policy to learn more about how our content is created and reviewed.
The Patient Perspective
Kidney Compass is not a hospital. It is not a pharmaceutical company. It is not a clinic trying to sell you a treatment. It is an independent educational resource created from the perspective of someone who has sat in the waiting room, stared at confusing lab results, and wished someone would just explain things clearly.
Every article on this site is written with the reader in mind — someone who wants honest, practical information without the medical jargon, without the fear tactics, and without the condescension that patients too often encounter.
Editorial Standards
Every article on Kidney Compass is thoroughly researched using clinical guidelines and reputable medical sources. We reference organizations like KDIGO, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the NHS, and Mayo Clinic.
We are committed to accuracy, transparency, and independence. We have no affiliations with pharmaceutical companies, dialysis providers, or medical device manufacturers. We do not run affiliate links or accept sponsored content.
What This Site Is Not
Kidney Compass is not a doctor. It is not a substitute for your healthcare provider. It does not diagnose, treat, or prescribe. It does not know your personal medical history, and it cannot replace the relationship you have with your medical team.
What it can do is help you understand. Understanding your condition puts you in a better position to ask the right questions, follow your treatment plan, and advocate for yourself. That is the goal — not to replace your doctor, but to help you be a more informed patient.
- This is not a medical practice or clinic
- We do not provide diagnoses or treatment plans
- This site is not a substitute for professional medical advice
- No doctor-patient relationship is created by using this site
- Always consult your physician before making health decisions