Renal Insufficiency Treatment

If you suffer from renal insufficiency, your kidneys aren't fully doing their job to filter toxins from the body. Your doctor may diagnose renal insufficiency, also called chronic kidney disease, chronic renal failure or early-stage kidney disease, through blood and urine testing or imaging of the kidneys. She'll prescribe treatments aimed at slowing or stopping the progression of the disease and controlling symptoms.

Lifestyle Changes

• Patients with renal insufficiency often also suffer from high blood pressure, so your doctor will work with you to keep your blood pressure under control. You may have to take medication for this.

  You will also be asked to avoid certain pain medications which can place a strain on the kidneys, even over the counter remedies such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Dietary Changes

• Depending on the extent of kidney damage, you may have to monitor your fluid intake and output. You may be asked to limit sodium (salt) and potassium intake.

  For years, many patients with renal insufficiency were put on low-protein diets, but studies to prove the effectiveness of this have been inconclusive. Most patients found the diets hard to stick to over the long term. A study of 1624 women that ran from 1989 to 2000, the results of which were published in the March 2003 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, found that low-protein diets had little effect on patients with mild renal insufficiency.Patients with moderate insufficiency did see a decline in the progression of their disease while on the low-protein diet.

Diabetes and Renal Insufficiency

• Diabetes can damage the kidneys, leading to renal insufficiency. Controlling the diabetes can help prevent further damage to the kidneys. You doctor may adjust your insulin and will instruct you on ways to control your blood sugar. Since high blood pressure can further damage the kidneys, it's important to keep your blood pressure under control. Your doctor may prescribe medication for this.