How to Stop Renal Failure

Kidney failure, or renal failure, occurs when your kidneys no longer effectively remove excess fluids, salts (electrolytes) and waste products. Malfunctioning kidneys lead to excess build up of substances in the body. This life-threatening condition primarily develop when you suffer from uncontrolled high blood pressure and diabetes. Medications, autoimmune disorders, kidney stones, infections and injuries also cause it. Kidney disease is asymptomatic in its first stages, but eventually you experience fatigue, weight loss, nausea, bloody stools and swelling in the hands and feet. Lifestyle changes and medical intervention may stop the affects of renal failure.

Instructions

• 1

  Change your diet. Focus on a diet rich in complex carbohydrates and low in protein and cholesterol. Your body works harder to break down proteins in the body, and cholesterol blocks blood vessels, including ones leading to the kidneys, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). Your doctor can recommend a dietitian who will help you create a meal plan to minimize renal failure.

• 2

  Eat foods low in potassium. High potassium foods, such as bananas, spinach, kiwi fruit and citrus fruits, are generally healthy, but they aggravate already damaged kidneys. The Mayo Clinic suggests eating low-potassium food like apples, strawberries, grapes, green beans and cabbage.

• 3

  Avoid foods containing excessive amounts of sodium. Foods containing large amounts of sodium include frozen dinners, canned good, restaurant entrees, chips, deli meats, bacon and processed cheeses. Read labels because even cereals and diet foods contain sodium. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends consuming no more than 1,500 mg of sodium per day, or 1 teaspoon of table salt, if you have chronic kidney disease.

• 4

  Control underlying causes of renal failure such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Losing weight and exercising reduces your chances of experiencing further kidney damage. Simple exercises like walking, swimming and biking burn calories. You need to exercise at least five times a week for 30 minutes. MedlinePlus also says you should stop smoking. Doctors may prescribe medications to treat chronic conditions.