How To Prevent Kidney Failure

Take Pain Relievers Correctly

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers can cause kidney damage if you take high doses for an extended period. Taking a high dose for a short time may temporarily affect kidney function. If you are taking aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen, ketoprofen or naproxen sodium, carefully follow the manufacturers directions for dosage .

Ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen are in the same pharmacological class, so taking a combination of these drugs can cause kidney problems.

Paracetamol is metabolized by the liver and not by the kidneys, which means that you should choose this medication if you have kidney problems .

Always tell your doctor about the medicines you are taking, as pain relievers may interfere with other drug products.

Recognizing The Symptoms Of Kidney Failure

1Have your doctor test for microalbuminuria. One of the earliest signs of kidney issues is microalbuminuria, which is the presence of protein and albumin in your urine. Often diabetic patients with kidney damage show no overt symptoms, and no changes to their urinary patterns or frequency. Therefore, it is important to request specific tests such as this one from your doctor, as it is the easiest way to detect any damage to the kidneys in the early stages.XResearch source

Protein in your urine is usually a red flag that your kidneys are not in optimal health, and that it is time to begin steps to prevent any further damage.

This test is recommended to have once a year. If you have type 1 diabetes, testing should begin five years after diagnosis. If you have type 2 diabetes, testing should begin annually starting at the time of diagnosis.XResearch source

2Understand the progression of kidney disease. What starts as small amounts of protein in your urine , if left untreated eventually progresses to chronic kidney disease and ultimately to kidney failure.XResearch source This is why showing up for regular testing, and then following your doctor’s advice for lifestyle modifications and medical treatment, is key to delaying or altogether preventing the development of long-term kidney disease and kidney failure.

One of the main signs of fluid retention is the skin around your eyes becoming puffy.

The most common electrolytes include sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium.

Follow The Prescribed Treatment To The Letter

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, you will need to treat the underlying disease. For example, if a bacterial infection is causing your symptoms, you should take antibiotics. However, since kidney failure is a chronic disease, the doctor can only treat the resulting complications.

If kidney disease is at a severe stage, you may need to consider dialysis or even kidney transplantation .

Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat the complications. In particular, you may be able to take medication to manage high blood pressure, lower cholesterol, relieve swelling, treat anemia, and protect your bones. Published By Healthzigzag.com

Read Also: How To Blast Kidney Stones

How Is Chronic Kidney Disease Diagnosed

If your doctor suspects you have kidney disease, they will talk to you about your health and the health of your family, and run some tests.

Tests that help to diagnose kidney disease include:

• urine tests
• blood tests
• an Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate test
• imaging tests

If these tests show you have kidney damage, you may be referred to a specialist kidney doctor, called a nephrologist. They will try to work out the cause of your chronic kidney disease.

Healthy Food To Prevent Kidney Failure

This is a simple step and has many advantages to other parts of your body too. Look for types of diet or recipes of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy products to keep your heart healthy. To have working kidneys and avoid kidney failure, one thing to watch out for is your salt intake.

It is advised to stop or reduce your sodium intake in recipes, less than 2,300 mg/day to be specific. Best Kidney Doctor suggests Other kidney-friendly food tips follow are broiling protein rather than frying, use skim milk, choose food less in saturated & trans fats, reduce snacking, keeping a diet record, etc. Drink plenty of fluid.

Login to trustworthy blogs for more recommended diets and tests. Itâs important to learn to identify and manage symptoms on your own as education around kidney health and kidney-friendly habits is very limited. Join a good health plan and eat kidney-friendly recipes if needed.

Donât hesitate to ask for Clinical assistance and remember to keep your blood pressure in check. Donât give in to temptation and eat healthy for the sake of your health and prevent transplant.

Recommended Reading: What Is The Treatment For Kidney Failure

Keep Kidneys Healthy With Regular Exercise

According to a review published in October 2011 in Cochrane Library, regular exercise benefits those living with CKD, as well as those who have undergone a kidney transplant. The review notes that those people who exercised not only improved their overall physical fitness, but also had healthier blood pressure and heart rates, as well as overall good nutrition and lifestyle profiles.

In analyzing 45 different studies with more than 1,800 participants, researchers found that patients on dialysis, those who did not yet need dialysis, and recipients of transplants all benefited from exercise. Resistance training aided walking ability, yoga helped with muscle strength, and cardiovascular exercise improved aerobic capacity.

For more info on the relationship between kidney stones and diabetes, check out this article from Diabetes Daily!

What Is Kidney Disease

• Your kidneys clean your blood by working as a filter to remove water and wastes from your body. Kidney disease damages these filters so they dont do their job properly.
• Kidney disease usually affects both kidneys and may also damage other parts of your body, such as your heart.
• When enough of the filters are damaged, the body will fill up with excess wastes and water. This is called kidney failure. It can happen when you have kidney disease for a long period of time .
• Kidney failure is fatal if not treated by either dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Read Also: Can Child Donate Kidney To Parent

Prevent Kidney Disease Naturally

Kidneys are very important to our body to extract and excrete waste from blood as urine. They also regulate pH of blood, fluid volume, electrolytes in blood and maintain blood pressure. Kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death in the world. So here we will discuss the methods to prevent kidney diseases.

Free Kidney Health Screenings

You can attend one of our free kidney health screenings in select cities to find out how well your kidneys are working and if you might be at risk for kidney disease. We can also help you or your organization host your own screening event! Learn more about free kidney health screenings.

Read Also: How To Know If A Kidney Stone Has Passed

Symptoms Of Kidney Disease

In the early stages of kidney disease, people can have no symptoms. In fact, some people have no symptoms until over 90 per cent of their kidney function has gone. This is unfortunate because early detection of kidney disease and treatment is the key to preventing kidney failure.

Symptoms of kidney disease can include:

• tiredness
• bad breath an
• a metallic taste in the mouth.

These symptoms can be caused by other conditions, but if you are in a high-risk group for kidney disease, speak with your doctor.

Risk Assessment Referral Criteria And Shared Care

One major change that NICE has made is to recommend that healthcare practitioners use the 4-variable Kidney Failure Risk Equation,16 which uses the variables age, sex, eGFR, and uACR, both when communicating risk to adults with CKD and their family members or carers, and when identifying adults with CKD who would benefit from referral for specialist assessment.10 The rationale is simple: the equation is more sensitive and more specific than the previous eGFR threshold that was central to the 2014 NICE guidance.10 This means that people who will progress to needing renal replacement therapy are identified earlier. Full referral criteria can be found in Box 1.10

Read Also: How Long Does Kidney Pain Last

How To Prevent Kidney Disease

This article was medically reviewed by . Dr. Litza is a board certified Family Medicine Physician in Wisconsin. She is a practicing Physician and taught as a Clinical Professor for 13 years, after receiving her MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health in 1998.There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 83,948 times.

Studies show that in addition to filtering waste from your body, your kidneys also regulate your blood pressure, protect your bones, and keep minerals and fluids balanced in your body, among other things.XResearch source Unfortunately, one in three Americans is at risk for chronic kidney disease.XResearch source This disease most often develops as a consequence of another condition and develops over the course of several months or years. Experts note that there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk for this damaging kidney disease, including diet and lifestyle changes.XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source

What You Can Do To Prevent Kidney Disease With Pkd

Lifestyle changes can help prevent PKDand CKDfrom progressing. Here are some things you can do:

• Drink plain water.
• Get 78 hours of sleep per night.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Keep blood pressure levels under control.
• Treat bladder or kidney infections as soon as possible.

Keep in mind that not everyone with PKD will develop kidney failure, but certain people are at an increased risk:

• Men
• People with high blood pressure
• People with protein or blood in their urine
• Women with high blood pressure who have had more than 3 pregnancies

Don’t Miss: Can Kidneys Heal On Their Own

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

Maintain A Healthy Weight

A lot of types of diseases like heart disease, CKD, unhealthy types of recipes, and diabetes are related to obesity and anemia, according to American doctors. Most of these types of diseases lead to the development of heart and kidney failure needing a transplant.

To get working kidneys and avoid kidney failure one must maintain a kidney-friendly weight. Management of healthy weight requires planning and discipline. Some of the best kidney doctors recommend taking the assistance of NIH Body Weight Planner. It is an online tool that helps plan out your physical activity to lose calories and maintain a healthy weight.

You can also work with a dietitian to test and create and join an actionable weight-loss plan and get Clinical assistance for CKD. Remember to keep your blood pressure in check.Donât give in and stay active for the sake of your health.

Read Also: Do Carbonated Beverages Cause Kidney Stones

What Causes Chronic Kidney Disease

The most common cause of chronic kidney disease in Australia is diabetes. This is because high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, stopping them from filtering wastes properly. About 4 in 10 cases of chronic kidney disease are caused by diabetes. Chronic kidney disease caused by diabetes is also called diabetic nephropathy.

High blood pressure can also lead to kidney disease. So can glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the kidneys that can either be inherited or follows an infection.

Other things that contribute to people getting chronic kidney disease are:

• a kidney injury, infection or cyst in the past

The kidneys can also be damaged by misuse of some painkillers, prescription medicines and illegal drugs.

Using Medication For Prevention

1Reduce the amount of sugar in your blood with hypoglycemic medications. Hypoglycemic drugs act by increasing the uptake of sugar from the blood.XResearch sourceEdelstein, C. L. . Biomarkers in kidney disease. London: Academic Press, an imprint of Elsevier.

A commonly prescribed hypoglycemic medication is Metformin. The usual dosage is generally between 500 mg and 1 gram once or twice a day depending on your blood sugar levels.

Metformin is the most commonly prescribed medication in diabetic patients.

2Lower your cholesterol with statin medications. When you reduce your cholesterol levels, you also reduce your chances of developing hypertension that can lead to kidney disease. If you already have high blood pressure, you are generally advised to keep your cholesterol levels under 4.0 mmol/l.XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source

Doctors commonly prescribe a statin called atorvastatin. The dosage is normally 10 to 80 mg a day, depending on your cholesterol levels.

You can also use red rice yeast which contains the same active ingredient as statins.

Your doctor may also put you on other cholesterol medications like fish oil depending on your cholesterol numbers.

A commonly prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor is lisinopril. The normal dose is between 5 and 20 mg a day depending on your blood pressure.

Chlorpromazine .

Tolazamide .

Tolbutamide .

Glyburide .

Glipizide .

Also Check: Can An Untreated Uti Cause Kidney Failure

What Types Oflifestyle Changes Can I Make

Lifestyle changesthat can help prevent CKD include:

• Talking with your health care provider about how much fluid youshould drink each day.
• Working with your health care provider to manage your bloodpressure. This includes healthy eating, regular exercise, and taking anymedicines that are prescribed for you.
• Exercising for at least 30 minutes on five or more days ofthe week, or as much as told by your health care provider.
• Keeping your weight at a healthy level. If you are overweight orobese, lose weight as told by your health care provider.
• Not smoking or using any tobacco products, such as cigarettes,chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your healthcare provider.
• Having a yearly physical exam.
• Learning about your familys medical history. Talk to yourrelatives and siblings about diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
• Using NSAIDs for pain only when necessary. Ask your health careprovider about other pain medicines that do not increase your risk ofdeveloping CKD.

If you have diabetes, managing your diabeteswith a healthy meal plan and physical activity can help prevent CKD. Work withyour health care provider to manage your condition.

Know How To Manage Kidney Disease If You Have Diabetes Or High Blood Pressure

If your kidney disease was caused by diabetes or high blood pressure, you are not alone. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of kidney disease.

There is no cure for kidney disease, but you can take actions and medicines to manage your blood pressure and diabetes. This will help slow down the damage to your kidneys, which helps keep your kidneys working longer and helps avoid the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Don’t Miss: Can Biofreeze Affect My Kidneys

Watch Your Blood Pressure

We’ve already explained that hypertension is one of the most common triggers of renal failure. If your goal is to prevent kidney disease, then it is important to know what the proper blood pressure readings are and to then maintain habits that prevent them from rising up.

Regulating and minimising your consumption of salt, red meat, sausages, foods rich in fat, caffeinated drinks and alcoholic drinks will be key to ensure good blood pressure and heart health.

Get Enough Sleep To Prevent Kidney Failure

A lot of problems regarding health like CKD can be directly related to poor sleep. Your body needs to rest and relax to restore its strength and run at maximum capacity. Doctors believe 6-8 hours of sleep per night is kidney-friendly for working adult life. Other than getting enough sleep, it should be uninterrupted. Numerous trials are in progress to find better treatments.

Make sure to have a comfortable mattress and not to consume any substance like sugary drinks and coffee before sleep. Get the right kidney education for CKD and get Clinical assistance. Remember to keep your blood pressure in check. Donât give in and consult CKD specialists for the sake of your health.

Don’t Miss: Is Chocolate Bad For The Kidneys

What To Expect If Youre Facing Kidney Failure

Your outlook depends on the type of kidney failure.

If you have chronic kidney failure, your kidneys cant recover, but you can slow its progression with the right treatment, unless you receive a kidney transplant.

If you have acute kidney failure, your kidneys will most likely recover and start to work again.

Yes Theres A Free App For That

I mean, these days, it looks like that if you need to do anything in your life, theres an app for that.And calculating macros in a renal diet definitely is one of those things an app can make easier.Ive tested and researched various macros tracking apps Nutritionix, myfitnesspal, cronometer, loseit and more. they all do a similar job. They all let you track, with sufficient approximation, your macronutrients. The two I can recommend you to try are myfitnesspal and cronometer. The way they work is very easy. You can input any food you want as breakfast, lunch, dinner and so on, and the app will tell you exactly how much protein, but also phosphorus, potassium, sodium etc. you would be getting.Also, you can set daily goals for these nutrients, which is very useful.Both these apps are free and can be used on Android, Iphone and even on a PC via web browser.

Now guys, if you want to know more about what foods are perfectly safe and suitable for a low protein renal diet, theres a video up here just for that!A new video is coming this Sunday and I bet youre gonna like it! In the meantime keep taking good care of your kidneys! Bye!

Tags:Kidney Health, lower creatinine

About the Author

Michaelw Hi, my name is Michael and in this blog I’m gonna share the story of how I got off kidney dialysis for good. Getting off dialysis isn’t easy at all, and that’s why I’m trying to help people as much as I can.

Don’t Miss: Can Turmeric Hurt Your Kidneys