When kidneys become unhealthy over time, it can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). There are many causes of CKD, but the more common ones include long-standing diabetes, high blood pressure (some may argue that high blood pressure is the result of kidney disease), inflammation of the filters of the kidney, obesity, heart disease, some familial or genetic conditions, excessive use of certain medications (like anti-inflammatory medicine), etc. 

Alport syndrome is caused by genetic disorders affecting the kidneys, ears,  eyes, and the vasculature. It is caused by inheriting certain genes responsible for producing collagen, which provides structural support to certain tissues in the body, including the tiny filters in the kidneys called glomeruli.