Healthy You

Chronic kidney disease, means that there is damage to the kidneys, and they are not working as well as they should.

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located in your back beneath the rib cage on either side of the spine. They filter out wastes, toxins, and extra water from the blood. They also help balance the amount of electrolytes and minerals in the body; they make hormones that control blood pressure, make red blood cells, and keep the bones strong. When the kidneys cannot filter waste, it builds up in the blood. The disease often goes undetected until symptoms appear. This progressive disease and can put you at risk for serious health complications including heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. Not everyone with chronic kidney disease will develop kidney failure, but the disease can worsen without treatment. High blood pressure and diabetes are the two most common causes of chronic kidney disease.

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue and weakness, sleep problems, urinating more or less, decreased mental sharpness, muscle cramps, swelling of the hands, feet, and ankles, dry, itchy skin, hypertension, fluid in the lungs resulting in shortness of breath, and chest pain if fluid builds up around the lining of the heart.

Risk factors for chronic kidney disease include:

Diabetes

High blood pressure

Heart disease

Family history of kidney disease

Are over 60 years old

Have a long history of taking NSAIDs.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, adopting a healthy lifestyle can help manage Chronic kidney disease and its complications.

• Make regular visits to your health care provider. They can check the status of your kidneys through blood and urine tests.
• Manage your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
• Avoid taking NSAIDs for pain (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, etc.)
• Manage your blood pressure levels.
• Don’t smoke
• Avoid or minimize alcohol.
• Exercise/Be active
• Stay at a healthy weight for you.
• Follow a kidney-friendly diet, such as the Mediterranean/DASH Diet or a whole-food plant-based diet. Avoid ultra-processed foods.

For more information see your healthcare provider.