Kidney Damage From High Blood Pressure
One of the most common causes for kidney damage is high blood pressure, which can occur as a result of a wide number of different risk factors .
Think of your kidneys as one of your bodys natural filtration pumps, which function ideally at normal blood pressure. Hypertension due to heart disease, high cholesterol, or any number of other conditions that can increase your blood pressure puts an excess strain on this filtration system.
Over a long time exposed to high blood pressure, the blood vessels in the kidneys can be damaged, worn down, or hardened, which limit the kidneys ability to filter your blood and perform its vital functions.
Preventing Or Slowing Down The Progression Of Ckd
There are ways to stop CKD becoming any worse or to slow down any progression. You should have checks every now and then by your GP or practice nurse to monitor your kidney function – the eGFR test. They will also give you treatment and advice on how to prevent or slow down the progression of CKD. This usually includes:
- Blood pressure control. The most important treatment to prevent or delay the progression of CKD, whatever the underlying cause, is to keep your blood pressure well controlled. Most people with CKD will require medication to control their blood pressure. Your doctor will give you a target blood pressure level to aim for. This is usually below 130/80 mm Hg, and even lower in some circumstances.
- Review of your medication. Certain medicines can affect the kidneys as a side-effect which can make CKD worse. For example, if you have CKD you should not take anti-inflammatory medicines unless advised to by a doctor. You may also need to adjust the dose of certain medicines that you may take if your CKD gets worse.
- Diet. if you have more advanced CKD then you will need to follow a special diet. See the separate leaflet called Diet in Chronic Kidney Disease.
What Is Kidney Failure
Your kidneys are a pair of organs located toward your lower back. One kidney is on each side of your spine. They filter your blood and remove toxins from your body. Kidneys send toxins to your bladder, which your body later removes toxins during urination.
Kidney failure occurs when your kidneys lose the ability to sufficiently filter waste from your blood. Many factors can interfere with your kidney health and function, such as:
- toxic exposure to environmental pollutants or certain medications
- certain acute and chronic diseases
- severe dehydration
- kidney trauma
Your body becomes overloaded with toxins if your kidneys cant do their regular job. This can lead to kidney failure, which can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Usually someone with kidney failure will have a few symptoms of the disease. Sometimes no symptoms are present. Possible symptoms include:
- a reduced amount of urine
- swelling of your legs, ankles, and feet from retention of fluids caused by the failure of the kidneys to eliminate water waste
- unexplained shortness of breath
There are five different types of kidney failure:
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How Is Chronic Kidney Failure Diagnosed
There are two basic tests for kidney function: a complete urinalysis and a blood chemistry analysis.
A urinalysis is needed to evaluate kidney function. A low urine specific gravity is the earliest indication of kidney failure. An increase in protein in the urine also indicates decreased kidney function.
A blood biochemistry analysis assesses the function of various internal organs. Measuring the level of two waste products in the blood, namely blood urea nitrogen and blood creatinine , indicates decreased kidney function. Tests to measure the blood levels of other substances such as albumin, globulin, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and calcium, as well as the red and white blood cell counts are important in order to determine the extent of failure and the best course of treatment.
A recently developed blood test to assess levels of SDMA has been used to determine if early renal failure is occurring. SDMA concentrations increase above the normal reference interval well before serum creatinine becomes elevated. This will help your veterinarian provide treatment for your dog at a much earlier stage in the disease.
“SDMA concentrations increase above the normal reference interval well before serum creatinine becomes elevated.”
A dog diagnosed with low urine specific gravity as well as elevated BUN and CREA is said to be azotemic.
Take Medicines As Prescribed
Many people with CKD take medicines prescribed to lower blood pressure, control blood glucose, and lower cholesterol.
Two types of blood pressure medicines, ACE inhibitors and ARBs, may slow kidney disease and delay kidney failure, even in people who dont have high blood pressure. The names of these medicines end in pril or sartan.
Many people need to take two or more medicines for their blood pressure. You may also need to take a diuretic, sometimes called a water pill. The aim is to meet your blood pressure goal. These medicines may work better if you limit your salt intake.
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What Are The Pros And Cons Of In
Pros: Dialysis center
- Dialysis centers are widely available in many parts of the country.
- Trained health care providers are with you at all times and help provide the treatment.
- You can get to know other people with kidney failure who also need hemodialysis.
- You dont have to have a trained partner or keep equipment in your home.
Cons: Dialysis center
- The center arranges treatments, so your schedule is less flexible.
- You must travel to the center for treatment.
- A longer time between treatments means you will have the strictest limits on diet and liquidsbecause wastes and extra fluid can build up in your body. Having too much fluid in your blood can raise blood pressure and stress your heart. Removing too much fluid too fast during standard hemodialysis also can stress the heart.
- You may have more ups and downs in how you feel from day to day because of the longer time between treatments.
- Feeling better after a treatment may take a few hours.
Pros: Home hemodialysis
- You gain a sense of control over your treatments.
- You can choose what time to have the treatment however, you should follow your doctors orders about how many times a week you need treatment.
- You dont have to travel to a dialysis center.
- The flexible schedule makes it easier to work outside the home.
- You can travel with a hemodialysis machine or arrange for in-center treatment at your destination.
What Questions Should I Ask About Conservative Management
If youre thinking about conservative management, you may want to ask your doctor these questions:
- Is conservative management a treatment option for me to consider?
- Will dialysis improve my quality of life?
- Will dialysis prolong my life?
- Is there any downside to trying dialysis first?
- What should I do to prepare for conservative management?
- Who will continue to provide my care?
- Who will help my family?
- How long will I live?
- Will I be in pain?
- Can I stay at home?
- Where can I learn more about hospice?
- Who can I talk with about finances, advanced directives, sex, or family concerns?
Learn about conservative management.
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Managing Chronic Kidney Disease
If you have chronic kidney disease , you can take steps to protect your kidneys from more damage.
The sooner you know you have kidney disease, the better. The steps you take to protect your kidneys from damage also may help prevent heart diseaseand improve your health overall. Making these changes when you have no symptoms may be hard, but its worthwhile.
What Kind Of Kidney Damage Can A Dog Have
Some of the most life-threatening and costly are poisoning cases that cause acute kidney injury . Even with treatment, AKI can result in chronic scarring or permanent damage to the kidneys, predisposing your dog to chronic kidney disease . Thats why its important to be aware of these potential kidney toxins to keep your dog away from.
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Dietary Modification And The Management Of Ckd
A proper dietary modification combined with effective kidney support supplementsis an essential and proven aspect of CKD treatment. Studies have shown that therapeutic diets limited in protein, sodium, and phosphorus content and high in water, vitamins, fiber, and antioxidant concentrations may prolong and improve the quality of life in cats battling CKD.
On the other hand, many cats have difficulty embracing these kinds of diets, so cat owners must stay patient and dedicated to the plan. Its vital to make a slow and gradual transition to a therapeutic diet and contemplate food temperature, flavor, and texture accordingly. Cats troubled by CKD that go without food for extended periods may develop considerable health problems, so its imperative to make sure that the cat is eating during a transition to dietary modification.
Water Intake
Due to the kidneys’ decreased ability to conserve water, cats with CKD are more likely to become dehydrated. So, maintaining a proper fluid intake is very important and may help slow the disease’s progression.
Additionally, since cats obtain much of their water intake from their everyday meals, whenever possible, cats battling with CKD should be fed meals preserved in a can rather than dry foods.
Reduced Proteins
Still, protein restriction needs to be performed with extreme care because too little protein can be incredibly detrimental to general health.
Low Phosphate Content
Acute Intrinsic Kidney Failure
Acute intrinsic kidney failure can result from direct trauma to the kidneys, such as physical impact or an accident. Causes also include toxin overload and ischemia, which is a lack of oxygen to the kidneys.
The following may cause ischemia:
- severe bleeding
There are several tests your doctor can use to diagnose kidney failure.
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What Are The Basics About Conservative Management
Conservative management for kidney failure means that your health care team continues your care without dialysis or a kidney transplant. The focus of care is on your quality of life and symptom control.The decision to start dialysis is yours. For most people, dialysis may extend and improve quality of life. For others who have serious conditions in addition to kidney failure, dialysis may seem like a burden that only prolongs suffering.
You have the right to decide how your kidney failure will be treated. You may want to speak with your family, doctor, counselor, or renal social workerwho helps people with kidney diseaseto help you make this decision.
If you decide not to begin dialysis treatments, you may live for a few weeks or for several months, depending on your health and your remaining kidney function. Many of the complications of kidney failure can be treated with medicines, but only dialysis or transplant can filter wastes from your blood. As your kidney function declines, you may want to consider adding hospice, or end-of-life, care. You can have hospice care in a facility or at home. The hospice program is designed to meet end-of-life physical and emotional needs. Hospice care focuses on relieving pain and other symptoms.
What Are The Clinical Signs Of Chronic Kidney Disease
When disease or advanced age causes the filtration process to become inefficient and ineffective, blood flow to the kidneys is increased in an attempt to increase filtration. The body must increase the amount of blood flowing through the kidneys since less and less of the toxins are being removed each time. This results in the production of more urine. To keep the dog from becoming dehydrated due to increased fluid loss in the urine, thirst and water consumption is increased.
Therefore, one of the earliest clinical signs of kidney failure is increased water consumption and urination, and is called compensated renal failure. After approximately 2/3 of the kidney tissue is destroyed, there is a rapid rise in waste products in the bloodstream and an apparent sudden onset of severe disease. The clinical signs of more advanced kidney failure include loss of appetite, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, and very bad breath. Occasionally, ulcers will be found in the mouth.
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How To Treat Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease causes loss of kidney function over time and may lead to kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease . Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link
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Can A Doctor Treat Kidney Disease Protein in the urine can be a sign of kidney disease. When the filters in the. following the recommendations made by your doctor, and communicating any issues regarding your current treatment plan. Your doctor may ask you to make some changes to support your kidney health. While few medications can help treat kidney disease, managing
A dialysis social worker also can help people with kidney failure apply for help to cover treatment costs. Nephrologist. A nephrologist is a doctor who is a kidney specialist. Your PCP may refer you to a nephrologist if you have a complicated case of kidney disease, your kidney disease is quickly getting worse, or your kidney disease is advanced.
Other methods of treatment include antibiotics to prevent or treat infection, or dialysis, which may be temporary or ongoing depending on the patient’s.
Uremia may occur in dogs and cats with chronic kidney disease in association with prerenal.
How Do I Adjust To Dialysis
Starting dialysis often means creating a new normal for yourself and your family. Thereâs a lot to think about, from choosing a treatment option, to finding new ways to enjoy your favorite activities, to managing a new diet. The FIRST30 program is all about helping you through this period of adjustment. Here, youâll find videos featuring people like you, who once were new to dialysis, as well as a checklist of important questions to ask your health care team.
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Relieving Symptoms And Problems Caused By Ckd
If CKD becomes severe you may need treatment to combat various problems caused by the poor kidney function. For example:
- Anaemia may develop which may need treatment with iron or erythropoietin – a hormone normally made by the kidneys.
- Abnormal levels of calcium or phosphate in the blood may need treatment.
- You may be advised about how much fluid to drink, and how much salt to take.
- Other dietary advice may be given which can help to control factors such as the level of calcium and potassium in your body.
If end-stage kidney failure develops, you are likely to need kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.
People with stage 3 CKD or worse should be immunised against influenza each year, and have a one-off immunisation against pneumococcus. People with stage 4 CKD should be immunised against hepatitis B.
How Soon Should I Start Learning About What Type Of Treatment To Have
Start learning early about treatment optionsbefore you need one. Youll have time to
- learn about the different treatment options
- talk with other people who are living with dialysis, a transplant, or conservative management
- work with your health care team to create a kidney failure treatment plan
- prepare yourself mentally and physically for the changes ahead
Creating a treatment plan and sharing it with your family gives you more control.
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What Are The Stages Of Chronic Kidney Disease
CKD is diagnosed by the eGFR and other factors, and is divided into five stages:
| Stage of Chronic Kidney Disease | eGFR ml/min/1.73 m |
| Stage 1: the eGFR shows normal kidney function but you are already known to have some kidney damage or disease. For example, you may have some protein or blood in your urine, an abnormality of your kidney, kidney inflammation, etc. | 90 or more |
| Stage 2: mildly reduced kidney function AND you are already known to have some kidney damage or disease. People with an eGFR of 60-89 without any known kidney damage or disease are not considered to have chronic kidney disease . | 60 to 89 |
| Stage 3: moderately reduced kidney function. | 45 to 59 |
| Stage 4: severely reduced kidney function. | 15 to 29 |
| Stage 5: very severely reduced kidney function. This is sometimes called end-stage kidney failure or established renal failure. | Less than 15 |
Note: it is normal for your eGFR to change slightly from one measurement to the next. In some cases these changes may actually be large enough to move you from one stage of CKD to another and then back again. However, as long as your eGFR is not getting progressively worse, it is the average value that is most important.
How Will My Veterinarian Determine The Degree Kidney Failure In My Dog
Your veterinarian will use the IRIS staging system. IRIS staging is based on serum creatinine levels, with sub-staging based on the presence of protein in the urine and measuring your dogs blood pressure. By using this staging, your veterinarian has a better idea of how to proceed with treatment, monitor progress, and to estimate your pets prognosis.
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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