Kidney Disease

Treatments

One of the most important parts of treatment is to control the disease that is causing kidney damage. You and your doctor will create a plan to aggressively treat and manage your condition to help slow any more damage to your kidneys.

If you have diabetes, it is important to control your blood sugar levels with diet, exercise, and medicines. A persistently high blood sugar level can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys. For more information about kidney disease caused by diabetes.

If you have high blood pressure, it is also important to control your blood pressure with diet, exercise, and any medicines your doctor prescribes. The goal is to keep your blood pressure less than 130/80.

If other conditions or diseases are causing kidney damage, such as a blockage (obstruction) in the urinary tract or long-term use of medicines that can damage the kidneys, you and your doctor will work out a treatment plan.

Possible Complications

Kidney disease can have a variety of complications. They range from uncomfortable to damaging and even life-threatening.

• Anemia
• High Blood Pressure
• Bone Disease
• Muscle Cramps
• Itching

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you.

If you have a chronic medical condition that increases your risk of chronic kidney failure, your doctor is likely to monitor your blood pressure and kidney function with urine and blood tests during regularly scheduled office visits. Ask your doctor whether these types of tests are right for you.

Preventions

If you are at risk for kidney disease, the most important steps you can take to keep your kidneys healthy are:

• Get your blood and urine checked for kidney disease.
• Manage your diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Tips for People with Diabetes

• Get your blood and urine checked for kidney disease
• For type 2 diabetes, get tested every year
• For type 1 diabetes, get tested every year starting five years after you were diagnosed with diabetes
• Keep your blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg
• Aim for your blood glucose targets as often as you can.
• When you wake up and before meals: 70 to 130
• Two hours after starting to eat a meal: Under 180
• Keep your cholesterol levels in the target range
• Take your medicines as prescribed
• Eat healthy and cut back on salt
• Be physically active

Tips for People with High Blood Pressure or Heart Disease

• Get your blood and urine checked for kidney disease
• Keep your blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg
• Maintain your ideal weight
• Eat healthy
• Choose fruits, vegetables, grains, and low-fat dairy foods
• Limit your daily sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams (mg) or lower
• Be physically active
• Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake
• Take all medicines as prescribed – there are blood pressure medicines called ACE inhibitors and ARBs that also protect your kidneys
• Aim for your blood glucose targets as often as you can if you have diabetes
• See your health care provider as directed