Your Kidney And Problems Associated With It (4)

What Is the Long-Term Outlook for Kidney Disease Diagnosis?

Once diagnosed kidney disease will normally not go away. The best way to maintain kidney health is to incorporate a healthy lifestyle and follow your doctor's advice. Kidney disease can worsen and ultimately lead to kidney failure.

Kidney failure is when your kidneys are barely working or not working at all. This is managed by dialysis. Dialysis involves the use of a machine to filter waste from your blood. In some cases of kidney failure, your doctor will recommend a kidney transplant. Left untreated, kidney failure can result in death.

Part 9 of 10: Prevention
Tips to Prevent Kidney Disease
Some risk factors for kidney disease—such as age, race, or family history—are not possible to control, but there are measures you can take to help avoid chronic kidney disease and kidney stones.

Control Blood Sugar
If you're diabetic, control your blood sugar. High blood-sugar levels damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys as well as the rest of the body.

Control Blood Pressure
Keep your blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg.High blood pressure also damages these delicate blood vessels in the kidneys.

Reduce Salt Intake
Too much sodium/salt intake increases blood pressure. High blood pressure causes chronic kidney disease.

Quit Smoking
One of the many consequences of smoking is kidney damage.

Be Careful with OTC Drugs
Follow dosage instructions for over-the-counter medications. Taking too much aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen can cause kidney damage. If normal doses of these medications are not effective at controlling pain, see a doctor.

Get Tested
Ask your doctor about getting a blood test for kidney problems. Kidney problems generally do not cause symptoms until they have progressed relatively far. A “basic metabolic panel” (BMP) is a standard blood test that is commonly ordered as part of a routine medical exam or physical. Part of what a BMP is for is to test for creatinine or urea—chemicals that leak into the blood when the kidneys are not working properly. A BMP can detect issues early, when they are easier to treat. If you are diabetic or have heart disease, high blood pressure, or another kidney disease risk factor, you should be tested annually.

Drink Plenty of Water
Dehydration can cause kidney damage. In addition, drinking water leads to frequent urination, which can help expel kidney stones before they grow large enough to cause severe pain as they pass through.

Limit Certain Foods
Different chemicals in your diet can contribute to certain types of kidney stones. These include:

• excessive sodium
• animal protein
• citric acid, found in citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits

• oxalate, a chemical found in rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, sweet potatoes, tea, and chocolate

Normally, you shouldn't avoid these foods completely, as many of them are rich in beneficial vitamins and nutrients. If you've had kidney stones, your doctor can analyze your particular type of stone and offer advice about adjusting your diet.

Ask About Calcium
Consult a doctor before taking a calcium supplement. Calcium supplements have been linked to an increased risk of kidney stones, though reducing intake of oxalic acid and increasing citric acid in the diet are more important to reducing the incidence of kidney stones than reducing calcium stones.

Part 10 of 10: Questions to Ask
5 Questions to ask Your Doctor
If you're going to see a doctor about a kidney ailment, here are five important questions to ask.

What can I do to prevent another kidney stone?
People who have had one kidney stone are at higher risk for another. If you pass a kidney stone in your urine, try to collect it in a strainer so your doctor can analyze the type of chemical it contains. Depending on the type of stone, you may need to alter your diet, drink large amounts of water, or take specific medications.

Can I pass polycystic kidney disease on to my children?

Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disorder that comes in two forms: autosomal dominant, which is responsible for about 90 percent of cases, and autosomal recessive. If you have the dominant form, your children have a 50 percent chance of developing the disease whether or not the other parent has it too. If you have the recessive form, your children cannot develop the disease unless both parents have it, and even then there is only a 25 percent chance. A simple genetic test can determine which form you have.

When will I need dialysis?
Most kinds of kidney disease get progressively worse and will eventually result in kidney failure, requiring dialysis or a transplant. Dialysis can require major changes in lifestyle, so it may be helpful to plan for that eventuality. Most people with kidney failure start dialysis when their kidneys have lost 85 to 90 percent of their function capabilities.

Am I a good candidate for a transplant?
Before you can begin looking for a donor kidney, you must undergo a series of exams to determine if you are a viable transplant recipient. Doctors will run tests on your heart, lungs, and other organs to make sure your body can handle a transplant, and they will evaluate your mental health as well.

What happens if I donate my kidney?
The best candidates for kidney donation are close relatives, which means that if you have a family member with kidney failure, you may be asked to donate one of your kidneys. It is possible to lead a completely normal life with one kidney, and donors are not known to have a higher risk of kidney disease or a lower life expectancy than normal healthy adults. However, as with any surgery, there are risks associated with the kidney removal procedure itself. Before you are allowed to donate a kidney, your health will be evaluated to make sure your body can handle the process.

Written by Shannon Johnson | Published on July 9, 2012

Medically Reviewed by George Krucik, MD
Executive Director
EANFOWORLD FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
P.O.BOX 17070AN 233244370345/23326370345/ 233208844791

[email protected] /[email protected]