Chronic kidney disease, or CKD, is a condition that usually gets worse over time unless you get proper treatment that slows its progression. Following your doctor's orders is important for maintaining the best kidney health and avoiding the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. If you are in need of CKD treatment, here are some of the treatments your doctor may want you to try.
Make Lifestyle Changes
Improving your overall health can improve the health of your kidneys as well. Your doctor may want you to lose weight, exercise daily, and stop smoking. You may also need to change your diet to one that is more gentle on your kidneys. Your diet may need to change as you progress through the various stages of kidney disease. Your doctor may want you to avoid excess protein, potassium, and salt depending on how well your kidneys are working.
Manage Your Co-Existing Medical Problems
Certain medical conditions can make your kidney disease worse. Managing your medical problems can have an effect on the progression of chronic kidney disease. Diabetes is one medical condition that causes kidney disease. Get proper treatment for your diabetes if you have it so your blood sugars stay in the normal range. High blood pressure can also harm your kidneys, so if you have hypertension, work with your doctor to bring your readings into the normal range and maintain them there to prevent further harm to your kidneys.
Treat Problems Caused By CKD
When your kidneys don't work well, your body might hold on to fluids. This can cause problems with your breathing and cardiovascular system. Your doctor may prescribe diuretics to keep excess fluid from building up in your body. Kidney disease might also cause problems with anemia and bone loss. Your doctor may want to prescribe medications to prevent and treat these conditions as well.
Deal With End-Stage Kidney Disease
In the later stages of CKD, your kidneys may not be able to work well enough to keep you alive. Your kidneys play a vital role in keeping your body clear of toxins and keeping electrolytes balanced. If your kidneys can no longer do this, then dialysis or a kidney transplant becomes necessary. A kidney transplant is dependent upon finding a suitable donor.
If your CKD is advancing toward the final stages, you may want to consider a kidney transplant before your kidneys completely fail so you have more time for a suitable donor to become available. Discuss your preference with your doctor and learn all you can about whether you prefer a transplant or dialysis. Dialysis can be done at home so you don't have to spend so much time at a dialysis center. This allows you to continue working and even traveling, but you'll need to train someone who lives with you to help with the process.
CKD doesn't have many symptoms initially, so it's important to have regular medical testing, especially if you have hypertension or high blood sugar. Early treatment can slow or possibly stop the progression of the disease and keep you healthy for much longer.
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