Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Kidney failure - chronic; Renal failure - chronic; Chronic renal insufficiency; Chronic kidney failure; Chronic renal failure
Treatment
Controlling blood pressure is the key to delaying further kidney damage.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are used most often.
- The goal is to keep blood pressure at or below 130/80 mmHg
Other tips for protecting the kdineys and preventing heart disease and stroke:
- Do not smoke.
- Eat meals that are low in fat and cholesterol
- Get regular exercise (talk to your doctor or nurse before starting).
- Take drugs to lower your cholesterol, if necessary.
- Keep your blood sugar under control.
Always talk to your kidney doctor before taking any over-the-counter medicine, vitamin, or herbal supplement. Make sure all of the doctors you visit know you have chronic kidney disease.
Other treatments may include:
- Special medicines called phosphate binders, to help prevent phosphorous levels from becoming too high
- Treatment for anemia, such as extra iron in the diet, iron pills, special shots of a medicine called erythropoietin, and blood transfusions
- Extra calcium and vitamin D (always talk to your doctor before taking)
You may need to make changes in your diet. See:
- You may need to limit fluids.
- Your health care provider may recommend a low-protein diet.
- You may have to restrict salt, potassium, phosphorous, and other electrolytes.
- It is important to get enough calories when you are losing weight.
Different treatments are available for problems with sleep or restless leg syndrome.
Everyone with chronic kidney disease should be up-to-date on important vaccinations, including:
Previous Section
Review Date: 08/12/2009
Reviewed By: Parul Patel, MD, Private practice specializing in Nephrology and
Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation, Affiliated with California
Medical Center, Department of Transplantation, San Francisco, CA.
Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
