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Chronic Kidney Disease
- Topic Overview
-
Health Tools
- Cause
- Symptoms
- What Happens
- What Increases Your Risk
- When To Call a Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Prevention
- Home Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Treatment
- Other Places To Get Help
- Related Information
- References
- Credits
There are many things you can do at home to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.
Lifestyle changes
- Keep your blood pressure below 130/80. Learn to check your blood pressure at home. For more information, see:
- If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar within a target range. For more information, see:
- Stay at a healthy weight. This can also reduce your risk for coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. For more information, see the topic Weight Management.
- Follow the eating plan your dietitian created for you. Your eating plan will balance your need for calories with your need to limit certain foods, such as sodium, fluids, and protein. For more information, see:
- Make exercise a routine part of your life. Try to do at least 2½ hours a week of moderate exercise. One way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week. It's fine to be active in blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout your day and week. Work with your doctor to design an exercise program that is right for you. Exercise may lower your risk for diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Don't 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 Smoking.
- Don't drink alcohol or use illegal drugs.
What to avoid
- Avoid taking medicines that can harm your kidneys. Be sure that your doctor knows about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbs you are taking.
- 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.
- Avoid products containing magnesium, such as antacids like Mylanta or Milk of Magnesia. These products increase your risk of having abnormally high levels of magnesium (hypermagnesemia), which may cause vomiting, diarrhea, or both.
- Avoid X-ray tests that require IV dye (contrast material), such as an angiogram, an intravenous pyelogram (IVP), and some CT scans. IV dye can cause more kidney damage.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: May 11, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Mitchell H. Rosner, MD - Nephrology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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