How to Reduce Your Risk for Kidney Disease

Significant kidney damage is irreversible. Once your kidneys stop working, you have to be put on dialysis therapy which can be very draining and is a temporary treatment. Kidney disease is often times preventable. Reading this article will teach you how to reduce your risk for kidney disease.

Instructions

• 1

  Control your diabetes or amount of sugar intake. If you are diabetic you are already at risk for kidney disease or failure. Not controlling your diabetes more than triples your risk for kidney disease or failure. Diabetics need to be on a strict healthy diet, take insulin when sugar levels are above 150 and get plenty of exercise each week. If you need help on creating a diet specifically for diabetics, you need to ask your doctor for assistance.

• 2

  Avoid heavy consumption of dark carbonated and caffeinated drinks. Constant consumption of dark carbonated beverages over time can wear down your kidneys, eventually causing kidney disease. If you are going to have carbonated beverages, keep in mind that you need to keep this consumption at a minimum. It is recommended that you consume light soft drinks instead of dark.

• 3

  Avoid holding urine in the bladder for long periods of time. Holding urine in the bladder for long periods of time can cause it to pack up into the kidneys, usually causing extreme lower back pain. Over time this can significantly damage the kidneys, laying the groundwork for kidney disease. There are ways to avoid this. Do not drink massive amounts of liquids within 2 to 3 hours of your bedtime. When you have to use the bathroom while traveling, stop at the nearest travel stop. If you have overactive bladder disorder, you need to make sure you either take your medication or be near a bathroom at all times.