Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is also called chronic renal failure or chronic renal insufficiency.
Your kidneys have an important job—removing waste and extra fluid from your blood. The waste and fluid are expelled from your body through your urine. CKD occurs when your kidneys no longer filter your blood the way they should, leading to extra waste and fluid in your blood. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common health conditions that cause CKD.
There are many things you can do to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease:
• Manage your blood pressure. Work with your doctor to manage your blood pressure. Learn to
check your blood pressure at home.
• If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar and keep it within a target range.
• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce your risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke.
• Follow the eating plan your dietitian created for you. Balance your calories and you may need to limit certain foods, like sodium, fluids, and protein. Some people may also need to limit potassium and phosphorus.
• Make exercise a routine part of your life. Work with your doctor to create an exercise program that is right for you. Exercise can lower your risk for diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. Smoking can lead to a hard buildup of cholesterol inside the walls of the arteries, which reduces blood flow to the kidneys.
• Avoid taking medicines that can harm your kidneys. Let your doctor know before you take any new prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbs.
• Avoid dehydration. Call your doctor if you have diarrhea, vomiting, or a fever. Be careful when you exercise or during hot weather.
• Notify your doctor if you are scheduled to have any x-ray tests that may use a special type of dye.
For more information on the preventing CKD, email [email protected] or call
1-800-355-0885. We are available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
KnovaSolutions® is a clinical prevention service to help Alliance Health Plan members better understand and manage their medical care, treatments, and medications via telephone and email. The KnovaSolutions clinical team focuses on the member as a whole, not just the health complications they may be facing, by providing access to health information and support in making the best health decisions possible.
Copyright 2023 Healthwise Inc. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
