How to Prevent Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when the kidneys are damaged for at least 3 months and do not function effectively. The kidneys are two organs that do many important jobs in the body, including:

• Removing waste and extra fluids from the blood.
• Regulating hormones, blood pressure, and blood chemistry.

At first, you may not notice any signs or symptoms of CKD. However, CKD gets worse over time (is progressive). You can prevent CKD or keep CKD from progressing by making certain changes to your lifestyle and nutrition.

Risk factors for CKD include:

• Being age 60 or older.
• Being female.
• Having any of the following:
  • Diabetes.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Heart disease.
  • An autoimmune disease.
  • Frequent urinary tract infections.
  • Polycystic kidney disease.
  • A family history of kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
• Having problems with urine flow that may be caused by:
  • Cancer.
  • Having kidney stones more than once.
  • An enlarged prostate in males.
• Being of African-American, Native American, Hispanic, Asian, or Pacific Islander descent.
• Being obese.
• Long-term use of NSAIDs.
• Current or former tobacco use.

What types of nutrition changes can I make?

A balanced meal plan can help keep your kidneys healthy and prevent CKD. A balanced meal plan may involve:

• Limiting salt (sodium) intake. You should have less than 1 tsp (2,300 mg) of sodium per day. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, you should have less than ¾ tsp (1,500 mg) of sodium per day.
• Limiting alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink a day for nonpregnant women and 2 drinks a day for men. One drink equals 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1½ oz of hard liquor.

If you have diabetes, work with a nutrition specialist (registered dietitian) or a certified diabetes educator to develop a healthy eating plan.

What types of lifestyle changes can I make?

Lifestyle changes that can help prevent CKD include:

• Talking with your health care provider about how much fluid you should drink each day.
• Working with your health care provider to manage your blood pressure. This includes healthy eating, regular exercise, and taking any medicines that are prescribed for you.
• Exercising for at least 30 minutes on five or more days of the week, or as much as told by your health care provider.
• Keeping your weight at a healthy level. If you are overweight or obese, lose weight as told by your health care provider.
• Not smoking or using any tobacco products, such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Having a yearly physical exam.
• Learning about your family’s medical history. Talk to your relatives and siblings about diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
• Using NSAIDs for pain only when necessary. Ask your health care provider about other pain medicines that do not increase your risk of developing CKD.

If you have diabetes, managing your diabetes with a healthy meal plan and physical activity can help prevent CKD. Work with your health care provider to manage your condition.

What can happen if changes are not made?

If you do not make lifestyle and nutrition changes to protect your kidneys, you may develop CKD, which can lead to:

• A low red blood cell count (anemia).
• Heart disease.
• Weak bones.
• Nerve damage (neuropathy).
• Stroke.
• Kidney failure and dialysis.

What can I do to lower my risk?

Talk to your health care provider about your kidney health and your risk factors for CKD. The most important steps to take to lower your risk of CKD are:

• Getting high blood pressure down to the target that your health care provider recommends.
• Getting blood sugar (glucose) levels down to the target that your health care provider recommends.
• Eating less sodium.

What are my treatment options for CKD?

Treatment for CKD may include:

• Medicines that:
  • Control high blood pressure, such as ACE inhibitors.
  • Control blood glucose levels.
  • Control cholesterol levels.
  • Help your body get rid of excess water (diuretics).
  • Help protect your bones.
• Lifestyle changes. You may need to:
  • Eat less salt.
  • Eat less protein.
  • Follow a heart-healthy meal plan.
  • Quit smoking.
  • Avoid phosphorus. Phosphorous is found in dark-colored sodas and canned ice teas.
  • Avoid potassium. Potassium is found in some juices, especially orange juice.
  • Avoid alcohol.
• Dialysis. This is when a machine filters your blood if your kidney fails.
• Kidney transplant, if your kidney fails.

Where can I get more information?

Learn more about CKD and how to prevent CKD from:

• The National Kidney Foundation: www.kidney.org
• The American Association of Kidney Patients: www.aakp.org
• The American Diabetes Association: www.diabetes.org

Summary

You may not notice symptoms of CKD until your kidneys have already been damaged. The best way to prevent kidney damage is to know your risk factors and make nutrition and lifestyle changes before you develop symptoms of CKD.