10 top tips for kidneys
If you are worried about your kidneys (or CKD), don’t panic. There is alot you can do. Here are CKDEx’s 10 top tips for kidneys.
1. The BIG ONE = keep your blood pressure normal or low. This is the single most important thing you can do.
Why? Proper control of high blood pressure is often the most effective way of protecting kidneys and, slowing down the progression of CKD if you have it.
“Keep your blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg or below, all the time”
The best way to attain good control is to monitor your blood pressure regularly at home, and maintain a chart. This will help your doctor immensely, so they can adjust your blood pressure medication accordingly.
In terms of tablets, for many patients, the combination of a full dose of BP medication called an ACE (or ARB) and an SGLTi is very effective. Examples include Ramipril (ACE) or Losartan (ARB) plus Dapagliflozin (SGLTi). 1-3 additional BP tablets may be necessary as well.
Why is this necessary? High blood pressure can cause kidney damage. If high blood pressure occurs with other health issues like diabetes, heart disease, or high cholesterol, the impact on your body can be significant.
CKDEx has advice on how to lower blood pressure.
2. Keep active and fit
Regular exercise is good for more than just your waistline. It can lower the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It can also reduce your blood pressure and boost your heart health, which are both important for preventing kidney damage.
You don’t have to run marathons to reap the reward of exercise. Walking, running, cycling, swimming and dancing are great for your health. Find an activity that keeps you busy and have fun. It will be easier to stick to it and have great results.
3. If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar
People with diabetes may develop kidney damage, and CKD.
However, if you can manage your blood sugar, you reduce the risk of damage. Also, if the damage is caught early, a doctor can take steps to reduce or prevent additional damage.
4. Keep your weight down and eat a balanced diet
People who are overweight or have obesity are at risk for a number of health conditions that can damage the kidneys. These include diabetes and ischaemic heart disease.
This CKDEx’s advice on a balanced diet with 12 kidney-friendly foods.
5. Don’t smoke
Smoking damages your body’s blood vessels. This includes the renal (kidney) arteries that supply the kidneys with blood. This leads to slower blood flow throughout your body, and to your kidneys.
Smoking also puts your kidneys at an increased risk for cancer and ischaemic heart disease. If you smoke and stop smoking, your risks of of all three will drop.
6. Be aware of the amount of OTC pills – especially painkillers – you take
If you regularly take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication, you may be causing kidney damage. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – including aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen – can damage your kidneys, if you take them regularly for chronic pain, headaches, or arthritis.
These medications should not be taken for more than 10 days for pain, or more than three days for fever. Regularly taking NSAID tablets each day may reduce your kidney function temporarily or permanently.
7. Have your kidney function tested if you’re at high risk
If you’re at high risk of kidney damage or CKD, it’s a good idea to have regular kidney function tests = creatinine and GFR, as part of U+Es (urea and electrolytes). The following people may benefit from regular screening:
- All people over 50 years
- Black and Asian people over 30 years
- People who have heart disease
- People who have or have a family history of high blood pressure or CKD
- People with a family history of a kidney disease, e.g. polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
- People who are overweight or have obesity.
Getting ahead of any damage can help slow or prevent future damage.
8. Make sure CKD is detected early and a clear cause is identified
CKD is not a diagnosis. It is a syndrome (group of diseases) that has causes.
So if your GP is not certain what it is, and what to do, encourage them to refer you to a nephrologist (hospital kidney doctor) – see below. Most people don’t need to be referred. But you may do.
Either way, make sure you have a kidney ultrasound as well. After that, have regular blood tests and follow up.
Don’t allow yourself to be discharged unless things are stable and the risk of kidney failure is low.
9. Get referred to a nephrologist if you are in CKD4, or something is wrong (e.g. BP not coming under control)
Some forms of chronic kidney disease are progressive, meaning the disease gets worse over time. When your kidneys can no longer remove waste from blood, they fail.
Waste buildup in your body can cause serious problems and lead to death. To remedy this, your blood will need to be filtered artificially through dialysis, or you will need a kidney transplant.
10. Be discussed with a nephrologist if you are in CKD3B
They can do this by using an email system called ‘choose and book advice and guidance (A&G)‘, or ringing the nearest renal (kidney) unit. This is likely to be at the nearest large teaching hospital.
Summary
We have described 10 top tips for kidneys, and preventing and managing CKD. We hope it has been helpful.
Other resources
High blood pressure, diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are connected. And they can all be ‘silent’ (i.e. you cannot feel them) initially.
10 top tips for diabetes
10 top tips for high blood pressure
Last Reviewed on 25 June 2024