Health & Prevention

Did you know?

• Kidney disease is on the rise. Between 20 and 40 million people in the nation have it and those numbers have doubled during the last two decades, according to the American Society of Nephrology.
• The National Kidney Foundation reports that over 355,000 Americans receive regular dialysis treatments, and more than 78,000 are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.
• Diabetes is a high risk factor for kidney disease: About one-third of people with diabetes will develop kidney disease, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
• Kidney disease is strongly linked to heart disease, the number one killer of Americans, according to the American Society of Nephrology.
  

Prevention of Kidney Disease

While some kidney disorders cannot be prevented, taking steps to develop a healthier lifestyle may help you lower your risk for certain diseases. Here are a few tips to care for or prevent kidney disease:

1. Monitor blood pressure. If your blood pressure is elevated, check with your doctor about high blood pressure medications and the benefits of healthier lifestyle choices, such as a low-salt and heart-friendly diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking and losing weight.
2. Monitor cholesterol levels. Cholesterol levels can be managed through medications when necessary, as well as diet and lifestyle changes. 
3. Quit smoking.
4. Avoid prolonged use of ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In patients with kidney disease, these types of medications may increase blood pressure and may lead to kidney failure.
5. Take steps to prevent bone disease. Patients who have kidney disease also are at risk for bone disease. Monitor closely your calcium, phosphate and vitamin D intake.
6. Talk to your doctor about medication dosages. For patients with reduced kidney function, some medications that would normally be excreted by the kidneys may accumulate in the body and lead to side effects.