Prevent Chronic Kidney Disease

Your kidneys perform many vital functions, such as removing waste, maintaining blood pressure, keeping bones healthy, and more. Chronic Kidney Disease, or CKD is when the kidneys have become damaged for three months or longer and have difficulty performing their duties. CKD increases the risk of other health problems like heart disease and stroke and usually develops slowly with few symptoms at first. If symptoms do happen, they may include:

• Foamy urine

• Urinating more or less often than usual

• Itchy and/or dry skin

• Feeling tired

• Nausea

• Loss of Appetite

• Unexplained Weight Loss

Kidney diseases are a leading cause of death in the United States. It's possible to prevent or delay CKD, by managing risk factors like diabetes and hypertension.

You are more likely to develop kidney disease if you have:

• Diabetes

• High Blood Pressure

• Heart Disease

• Family History of Kidney Failure

Ask your healthcare provider about your kidney health during your next medical visit. Early kidney disease may not have symptoms, so getting tested may be the only way to know your kidneys are healthy. Your healthcare provider will help decide how often you should be tested.

See a provider immediately if you develop a urinary tract infection, which can cause kidney damage if left untreated.

Ways to help prevent CKD:

• Make Healthy Food Choices: choose foods that are healthy for your heart and body.

• Make Physical Activity Part Of Your Routine: Be active for 30 minutes or more on most days.

• Aim For A Healthy Weight: If you are overweight or have obesity, work with your health care provider or dietitian to create a realistic weight-loss plan.

• Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.

• Stop Smoking: Stop smoking or using other tobacco products. You can call the national quitline at 1-800-QUITNOW or 1-800-784-8669. For tips on quitting, go to Smokefree.gov.

• Limit Alcohol Intake: If you are a woman, limit yourself to one drink per day, and if you are a man, two drinks per day. One drink is considered one: 12oz of beer, 5oz of wine, or 1.5oz of liquor.

• Explore Stress-Reducing Activities: Learning to manage stress, relax, and cope with problems can improve emotional and physical health.

• Manage Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, & Heart Disease: If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, the best way to protect your kidneys from damage is to:

  • Keep blood glucose numbers close to your goal.

  • Keep your blood pressure numbers close to your goal.

  • Take all your medicines as prescribed.

  • To help prevent heart attacks and stroke, keep your cholesterol levels in the target range.

Go to NIDDK for further details about ways to prevent Chronic Kidney Disease.

Learn more about Chronic Kidney Disease with the National Kidney Foundation.