How to Manage Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is unfortunately a common medical problem with an estimated 20 million Americans suffering from it. The most common causes of chronic kidney disease are progressive high blood pressure, poorly controlled diabetes and inflammation of the kidneys. Though our kidneys have many vital functions their most important role is the filtration and removal of waste from the circulating blood. Adequate kidney function is necessary for human life. Chronic kidney disease frequently progresses to complete kidney failure. When this happens either dialysis or a kidney transplant is necessary for continued survival. What steps can a person take to properly manage chronic kidney disease and prevent the process from progressing?

Instructions

• 1

  Control your blood sugars! Good blood sugar control goes a long way in preventing progression of kidney disease.

• 2

  Keeping your blood pressure well controlled is probably the single best way to manage chronic kidney disease. Take your medications as prescribed.

• 3

  Make exercise and healthy eating a big part of your daily ritual. Both will help to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar which in turn helps to manage chronic kidney disease.

• 4

  Give up smoking now. Tobacco toxins gradually damage the small blood vessels in the kidney and accelerates chronic kidney disease.

• 5

  Be wary of consuming too much protein. Though controversial there are numerous medical studies that have shown high protein diets can place excessive strain on already damaged kidneys.

• 6

  Avoid oral anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen or naproxen if possible. They affect blood flow and function of kidneys.

• 7

  Limit foods that might elevate your bad cholesterol as well as triglyceride levels. Poorly controlled lipid levels seem to contribute to the progression of chronic kidney disease.

• 8

  Visit your doctor regularly to monitor both your symptoms as well as your kidney function.