Chronic Kidney Disease: Prevention

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Prevention

Chronic kidney disease may sometimes be prevented by controlling the other diseases or factors that can contribute to kidney disease. Because chronic kidney disease is often caused by high blood pressure and diabetes, keeping your blood pressure and blood sugar levels near normal can help prevent damage to your kidneys.

The sooner you change factors that damage your kidneys, the better. Controlling the following factors may slow the progression of kidney damage in a person who has chronic kidney disease. People who have already developed kidney failure also need to focus on these things to prevent the complications of kidney failure.

• Keep your blood pressure below 130/80. Learn to check your blood pressure at home. For more information, see:

  High blood pressure: Checking your blood pressure at home.

• If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. Talk with your doctor how often to check your blood sugar. For more information, see:

  Diabetes: Checking your blood sugar.

• Stay at a healthy weight. This can help you prevent other diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. For more information, see the topic High Blood Pressure (Hypertension).
• Maintain healthy levels of fats (lipids), such as cholesterol and triglycerides. For more information, see the topic High Cholesterol.
• Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. Smoking can lead to atherosclerosis, which reduces blood flow to the kidneys and increases blood pressure. For more information on how to quit, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.

If you already have chronic kidney disease, make sure that you:

• Avoid dehydration by promptly treating illnesses, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or fever, that cause it. Be especially careful when you exercise or during hot weather. For more information, see the topic Dehydration.
• Reduce your risk of heart disease. Lifestyle changes such as eating a low-fat diet, quitting smoking, and exercising regularly can help reduce your overall risk of developing heart disease and stroke. For more information, see the topic Coronary Artery Disease.
• Treat other problems, such as kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, or bladder problems, that may block the normal flow of urine out of the kidneys.
• Avoid the use of medications that can harm the kidneys. Be sure your doctor knows about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medicines that you are taking.
• Avoid X-ray tests that require IV dye (contrast material), such as angiogram, intravenous pyelogram (IVP), and some CT scans. IV dye can cause further kidney damage.
• Avoid situations where you risk losing large amounts of blood, such as unnecessary surgeries.

Last updated:	November 13, 2007
Author:	Jeannette Curtis
Reviewed By:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, D.C. Mendelssohn, MD, FRCPC - Nephrology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC