People diagnosed with severe organ conditions like kidney disease are encouraged to modify their lifestyle and adhere to treatment. If you have been diagnosed with kidney disease, management is essential because it prevents your kidney from further damage. If you have not adhered to proper treatment and management, it might lead to organ failure. In this case, you can either have a kidney transplant, and if not, palliative care is given until death. Usually, there is no cure for kidney disease. Therefore, early diagnosis, treatment, and management prevent further complications. Thus, if you have kidney disease and want to learn about the various ways of managing it, Devaraj Munikrishnappa, M.D. provides various steps to follow to protect your kidney from further damage. He also supports you emotionally and mentally. Below is all you need to learn concerning the management of kidney disease.
What is kidney disease?
It refers to the malfunctioning of your kidneys when they are damaged. The primary function of your kidneys is to filter waste products from your blood and eliminate them via the urinary system. Therefore, if you have kidney disease, your kidney fails to filter blood or control your blood pressure, commonly referred to as acute kidney disease. In this case, treatment can restore your kidney function. Kidney malfunction that lasts for three months or more is referred to as chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease may require you to depend on medication for life because kidney function cannot be restored. The purpose of treatment in chronic kidney disease is to provide symptomatic relief and reduce complications.
What are various ways of managing kidney disease?
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Controlling your blood pressure
Controlling and maintaining your blood pressure at normal is essential for people with kidney disease. Mostly, high blood pressure is said to damage your kidneys. Therefore, keeping your blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg protects your kidneys. Controlling your blood pressure may include eating low sodium foods, a low-fat diet, and getting enough sleep.
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Maintain blood glucose levels
Maintaining your blood sugar levels is essential, especially if you are diabetic. You should use your blood sugar levels to guide you on the type of food to eat. Similarly, you are supposed to ask your care provider about how long you are required to check your blood glucose levels.
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Monitor the health of your kidney
You are supposed to work closely with your care providers to monitor your kidney’s health. Your caregiver should use tests for kidney disease to monitor your kidney damage and function. After the results are out, you should ask your specialist how the current results compare with previous results to know the state of health of your kidney. The results also tell you what to do and not do during management.
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Adhere to medications as prescribed
You should take prescribed medications to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels. For instance, if your care provider requires you to take one antihypertensive or two, you should take them as instructed to prevent further damage to your kidney.
Kidney disease can result in chronic kidney disease or kidney failure if left untreated or unmanaged. Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with kidney disease and seek treatment or management, you can begin by booking your appointment online at Houston Kidney Specialists Center today.
