S To Take At Stage 1 Kidney Disease
- See your doctor regularlyget medical attention for any unusual or unexplained health symptoms.
- Know your GFRask your doctor for a blood test to calculate your estimated glomerular filtration rate , so you can monitor your kidney health.
- Treat underlying health conditionstalk to your doctor about high blood pressure, diabetes, or other health conditions that can contribute to kidney disease.
- Make healthy lifestyle choicesquit smoking, exercise regularly, eat well , reduce stress, and get enough sleep.
- Take all medications as prescribedand talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications.
Is Kidney Disease Curable In Dogs
Acute kidney failure is reversible if its detected quickly and the dog receives proper treatment. Its critical to seek medical attention for your dog immediately if you notice symptoms of this condition.
Unfortunately, chronic kidney disease is not curable. However, you may be able to help slow the progress of this illness and manage it with proper treatment.
What Causes Kidney Failure In Cats
The filtering system in your cats kidneys consists of thousands of microscopic tubes . While a kidney will still work if some nephrons are damaged, if too many nephrons stop working too suddenly for the good nephrons to compensate, the kidneys can fail.
The most immediate symptom of kidney failure is that they stop clearing the blood of dangerous toxins. Though cats kidneys may start to fail with age, they arent the only ones at risk .
Here are some common causes of both acute and chronic kidney failure in cats:
- Acute Kidney Failure
- Ingestion of toxins or harmful substances
- Dehydration
- Bacterial infection
- Illnesses such as cancer
- Specific medications
- Trauma
- Shock
Chronic Kidney Failure
- Autoimmune diseases
- Cysts
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What Are The Symptoms Of Kidney Failure
You may notice one or more of the following symptoms if your kidneys are beginning to fail:
- Itching
- Swelling in your feet and ankles
- Too much urine or not enough urine
- Trouble catching your breath
- Trouble sleeping
If your kidneys stop working suddenly , you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- Rash
- Vomiting
Having one or more of any of the symptoms above may be a sign of serious kidney problems. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor right away.
Kidney Damage From Alcohol
Your kidneys, along with your liver, are responsible for filtering harmful waste products in your blood, which includes alcohol. However, if exposed to these harmful products in excess quantities for a long period of time, even these filtration systems become damaged.
Combined with the fact that alcohol is a diuretic , and the fact that alcohol can lead to high blood pressure in the long term, you have a three-pronged risk for kidney disease.
Most experts say that increased risk kidney damage from alcohol begins to take place at an average of more than two drinks per day, and with heavy drinkers , this risk can be doubled.
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How Can I Prevent Ckd
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of CKD. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, working with your doctor to keep your blood sugar and blood pressure under control is the best way to prevent kidney disease.
Living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease, or help keep them under control. Follow these tips to lower your risk for kidney disease and the problems that cause it:
- Follow a low-salt, low-fat diet
- Exercise at least 30 minutes on most days of the week
- Have regular check-ups with your doctor
- Do not smoke or use tobacco
- Limit alcohol
How Is Kidney Function Measured
The main indicator of kidney function is your blood level of creatinine, a waste product of the body produced by muscles and excreted by the kidneys. If kidney function is reduced, creatinine accumulates in the blood leading to an elevated level when a blood test is checked.
Kidney function is best measured by an indicator called GFR which measures the blood filtration rate by kidneys. This indicator allows doctors to determine if the kidney function is normal, and if not, to what level the reduced kidney function has deteriorated. In everyday practice, GFR can easily be estimated , from measurement of the blood creatinine level, and taking into account, age, ethnicity and gender.
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Approval Is First To Cover Many Causes Of Disease
- For Immediate Release:
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Farxiga oral tablets to reduce the risk of kidney function decline, kidney failure, cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease who are at risk of disease progression.
Chronic kidney disease is an important public health issue, and there is a significant unmet need for therapies that slow disease progression and improve outcomes, said Aliza Thompson, M.D., M.S., deputy director of the Division of Cardiology and Nephrology in the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Todays approval of Farxiga for the treatment of chronic kidney disease is an important step forward in helping people living with kidney disease.
Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood normally. Due to this defective filtering, patients can have complications related to fluid, electrolytes , and waste build-up in the body. Chronic kidney disease sometimes can progress to kidney failure. Patients also are at high risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke.
Farxiga was not studied, nor is expected to be effective, in treating chronic kidney disease among patients with autosomal dominant or recessive polycystic kidney disease or among patients who require or have recently used immunosuppressive therapy to treat kidney disease.
The FDA granted the approval of Farxiga to AstraZeneca.
What Is Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease is a slow and gradually progressive disease that causes kidney dysfunction. However, if one kidney stops functioning correctly, the other can carry out normal functions.
In many instances, a kidney will deteriorate to a certain level of dysfunction and not get any worse. Sometimes, however, the condition may progress to kidney failure.
Most people with chronic kidney disease are not aware that they have it because symptoms do not usually develop in the early stages of the disease. Typically, by the time a person notices the symptoms, the disease is in an advanced stage, and damage to the kidneys is irreversible.
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Treatment Of Kidney Disease
Most often kidney diseases are caused due to another underlying issue such as diabetes, cholesterol or high blood pressure levels. Kidney diseases are easy to cure when diagnosed earlier and the survival rate is high. Doctors provide treatments depending on the severity of the disease. This means not all kidney disease patients will undergo the same treatment. Some of the effective treatment methods for kidney problems are –
Antibiotics – Depending on the results of your blood and urine test your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to fight against bacteria. This is called antibiotic therapy.
Nephrostomy -It is a procedure followed to drain out the urine blocked in the kidneys and further relevant treatment is provided to clear the blockage. This procedure is done by passing a catheter through the skin to reach the kidneys.
Lithotripsy – This procedure is done by a machine to project ultrasound shock waves that pass through the body to break large kidney stones into small pieces. These small pieces can easily pass through urine later.
Nephrectomy – This is a surgery performed in patients suffering from kidney cancer and other severe kidney problems. The damaged kidney is removed completely during this surgery.
Kidney transplant – It is a procedure done when both kidneys fail. Transplantation of a kidney can bring back life to normal. This is done by obtaining a healthy kidney from a living or a deceased organ donor.
How To Prevent Kidney Disease In Dogs
There are things you can do to help prevent kidney disease in your dog. For instance:
- Store medications safely Avoid leaving them on low nightstands, counters, or coffee tables where your dog could knock them over and ingest them.
- Choose a safer antifreeze Purchase propylene glycol-based antifreeze, which is less toxic to dogs than ethylene glycol antifreeze. Also, be sure to clean up any spills thoroughly.
- Take precautions with pesticides and rodenticides If you use these products, follow the directions carefully. For example, you might need to keep your dog away from treated areas for a certain amount of time.
- Schedule your dogs annual exams Regular check-ups help your veterinarian detect ailments like kidney disease early and improve the prognosis of your pup.
- Maintain your dogs weight Obesity can affect the kidneys as well as your dogs heart, joints, and other organs.
If your dog suffers from kidney disease or failure, pet insurance can help you manage the costs of care. Find out if pet insurance is worth it for you and your dog.
The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.
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What Is The Treatment And Management Of Chronic Kidney Disease
There is no cure for chronic kidney disease. The four goals of therapy are to:
Strategies for slowing progression and treating conditions underlying chronic kidney disease include the following:
- Control of blood glucose: Maintaining good control of diabetes is critical. People with diabetes who do not control their blood glucose have a much higher risk of all complications of diabetes, including chronic kidney disease.
- Control of high blood pressure: This also slows progression of chronic kidney disease. It is recommended to keep blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg if one has kidney disease. It is often useful to monitor blood pressure at home. Blood pressure medications known as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers have special benefit in protecting the kidneys.
- Diet: Diet control is essential to slowing progression of chronic kidney disease and should be done in close consultation with a health care practitioner and a dietitian. For some general guidelines, see the Chronic Kidney Disease Self-Care at Home section of this article.
The complications of chronic kidney disease may require medical treatment.
- Lightheadedness
- Allergic reactions
Diuretics also may cause a decline in kidney function especially if fluid is removed rapidly from the body.
What Questions Should I Ask About Peritoneal Dialysis
You may want to ask your health care provider these questions:
- Is peritoneal dialysis the best treatment choice for me? Why? If yes, which type is best?
- What type of training do I need, and how long will it take?
- What does peritoneal dialysis feel like?
- How will peritoneal dialysis affect my ____ ?
- Will I be able to keep working?
- Will I be able to care for my children?
- How much should I exercise?
- Where do I store supplies?
- How often do I see my doctor?
- Who will be on my health care team? How can the members of my health care team help me?
- Who do I contact if I have problems?
- Who can I talk with about finances, sex, or family concerns?
- Can I talk with someone who is on peritoneal dialysis?
Learn about peritoneal dialysis.
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What Is The Prognosis And Life Expectancy For Kidney Failure Can It Be Prevented
The outlook for kidney failure depends upon the underlying condition that caused it. Kidney function may return to normal, especially if it is due to an acute obstruction and that obstruction is relieved. Other causes of decreased kidney function leading to kidney failure are due to underlying disease and occur slowly over time.
Prevention is the best chance to maintain kidney function, and controlling high blood pressure and diabetes over a lifetime can decrease the potential for progressive kidney damage. Chronic kidney failure may be managed to help monitor electrolyte and waste product levels in the bloodstream. Major abnormalities can be life-threatening, and treatment options may be limited to dialysis or transplant.
Recommendations For Stages 4 And 5 Ckd
As the disease progresses and your renal function drops below 70 percent of what it should be, your nephrologist will recommend a restriction of phosphorus and potassium, two electrolytes that can harm the body if they accumulate excessively.
Among the considerations:
- Phosphorus is important to the body as it helps to convert the foods we eat into energy, aids in bone growth and muscle contraction, and regulates blood acidity. If you have too much, it can lead to a condition known as hyperphosphatemia which can damage the heart, bones, thyroid gland, and muscles. To avoid this, adults with stage 4 to 5 CKD would need to restrict their daily intake to 800 to 1,000 mg per day by cutting back on phosphorus-containing foods.
- Potassium is used by the body to regulate the heart rate and balance of water in cells. Having too much can lead to hyperkalemia, a condition characterized by weakness, nerve pain, abnormal heart rate, and, in some cases, heart attack. To avoid this, you would need to eat on a low-potassium diet, consuming no more than 2,000 mg per day.
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How Can I Decide Which Treatment Is Right For Me
Choosing the kidney failure treatment that is best for you may be hard. To make it easier
- start learning about your treatment options early
- think about how each treatment will affect your daily routine and how you feel
Talk with your doctor and with people who are on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, or whove had a transplant, to find out the pros and cons of each treatment. Find out how the treatment changed their lives and the lives of those closest to them. Ask your doctor about the transplant waiting list, and about diet changes and medicines youll need with each treatment.
If youre thinking about conservative management, ask your doctor how youll feel and how treatment can help keep you comfortable.
Reflect on whats most important to you. If you plan to keep working, think about which treatment can make that easier. If spending time with family and friends means a lot to you, ask which treatment would give you the most free time. Find out which treatment would give you the best chance of feeling good and living longer.
You may wish to speak with your family, friends, health care team, spiritual advisor, or mental health counselor as you decide.
View a chart comparing hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation.
How Common Is Chronic Kidney Disease
- Chronic kidney disease affects 14% of the US population.
- 17,600 kidney transplants occured in the US in 2013 one-third came from living donors.
- Kidney disease is more common among Hispanic, African American, Asian or Pacific Islander, and Native American people.
- Older age, female gender, diabetes, hypertension, higher body mass index , and cardiovascular disease are associated with a higher incidence of chronic kidney disease.
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor Now
- What causes stage 1 kidney disease? Conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes are the most common causes of CKD. Certain hereditary, health, and lifestyle factors can also increase your risk of kidney disease.
- What is my GFR? Your estimated glomerular filtration rate is a measurement of how well your kidneys function to filter waste, toxins, and excess fluid from your body, and also determines your stage of kidney disease. Your doctor will calculate your eGFR using a creatinine blood test, your age, gender, muscle mass, and ethnicity.
- What steps can I take to improve my overall health? Living a healthier lifestyle by quitting smoking, getting plenty of exercise, eating well, and maintaining a healthy weight can go a long way toward slowing the progression of CKD.
Stage 3 Kidney Disease Life Expectancy
When diagnosed and managed early, stage 3 CKD has a longer life expectancy than more advanced stages of kidney disease. Estimates can vary based on age and lifestyle.
One such estimate says that the average life expectancy is 24 years in men who are 40, and 28 in women of the same age group.
Aside from overall life expectancy, its important to consider your risk of disease progression. One 10-year study of stage 3 CKD patients found that about half progressed to more advanced stages of kidney disease.
Its also possible to experience complications from CKD, such as cardiovascular disease, which can affect your overall life expectancy.
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Reverse Kidney Damage Naturally
Despite the various medical advances made to help heal kidney damage, the most powerful way that you can improve your kidney health is with lifestyle changes, especially changes to your diet.
Ensuring that you eat enough potassium, phosphorous, calcium, and vitamin D is a good start, as these nutrients are fundamental to kidney health, but without controlling your high blood glucose and blood pressure, these changes are temporary.
Thats why we recommend a heavily plant-based diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains if youre suffering from high blood glucose and blood pressure. This diet is the first step to reverse insulin resistance, and can help vastly improve your cardiovascular health overall.
Eating potassium-rich foods can dramatically reduce your blood pressure, so include foods like tomatoes, potatoes, avocados, melons, oranges, bananas, nuts, seeds, dates, cruciferous vegetables into your diet on a daily basis.
One of the most effective ways to improve your kidney function is to reduce your intake of protein to approximately 0.8-1.0 g/kg body weight per day. Even though you may be tempted to eat a high-protein diet, understand that reducing your protein intake is a safe and highly effective way to reduce your risk of developing end stage renal disease .
To accomplish this, we recommend eating a low-fat, plant-based, whole-food diet because it is an effective way to eat whole foods and target 0.8-1.0 g/kg protein intake per day.
- Whole grains