Today’s Kidney Diet Cookbooks
Get free kidney-friendly recipe collections from DaVita dietitians.
How to Slow the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease
There are many ways to help delay or prevent kidney failure, especially when chronic kidney disease (CKD) is diagnosed in the earlier mild to moderate stages of CKD. Because CKD usually occurs gradually over time, finding out you have kidney disease in the early stages provides an opportunity to slow the progression.
Blood pressure control
Study after study has confirmed that good blood pressure control can help slow the rate of kidney disease. This is especially true in people who have diabetes and protein in the urine (proteinuria). In addition to helping prevent kidney failure, keeping blood pressure under control also helps prevent heart disease and stroke.
According to National Kidney Foundation (NKF) guidelines, you should strive to keep your blood pressure at or below 130/85 if you have kidney disease. If you have diabetes and/or proteinuria too, their suggested target blood pressure is 125/75.
Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, exercising, meditating, eating less salt and drinking less alcohol can help lower your blood pressure. Smoking is a risk factor for faster progression of kidney disease, so stopping smoking can also help slow progression.
Two types of blood pressure medicines slow the action of angiotensin, a substance that may contribute to kidney disease progression. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are the two types of high blood pressure medicines. The generic names of some common ACE inhibitors are captopril, enalapril and lisinopril. Some common ARBs are losartan, candesartan and valsartan.
If you're diagnosed with hypertension, your doctor will prescribe blood pressure medicine for you to take as directed to control it and help slow the rate of kidney disease. If you have diabetes and have normal blood pressure, your doctor may still prescribe blood pressure medicine because studies have shown that ACE inhibitors and ARBs can help slow the rate of kidney disease in people with diabetes, even if they don't have high blood pressure.
Other types of blood pressure drugs such as a diuretic (water pill) or a calcium-channel blocker may be added, as needed. Ask your doctor what you can do to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.
Blood glucose control
If you have diabetes, strict controls of your blood glucose levels can help slow the progression of kidney disease.
- Keep your hemoglobin A1c, which measures blood glucose control over the last two to three months, to less than 6.5 percent.
- To reach this level of strict glycemic control, you will need to monitor your blood glucose closely to avoid hypoglycemia.
You may need to use frequent insulin injections or an insulin pump. Talk to your doctor about your diabetes treatment options.
Diet and lifestyle
Ongoing research continues on dietary changes and drugs that may help to slow the progression of kidney disease. Examples include:
- Fish oil for IgA nephropathy
- Pirfenidone (an anti-fibrotic drug) in the treatment of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
- Dietary intake of antioxidant or anti-inflammatory vitamins and foods
Some studies have shown that limiting protein and phosphorus in the diet can help slow kidney disease progression. Talk to a renal dietitian about your CKD non-dialysis diet and recommendations to prevent kidney failure.
Repairing kidney damage
In some cases, the kidney disease itself can be treated. If you have an obstruction that blocks your urine flow, surgery may help. If you have an infection, antibiotics may clear it up.
If your kidney damage is due to the effects of prescription or non-prescription medicines, your doctor may be able to suggest a different drug that's less harmful to your kidneys. Antibiotics and painkillers (even over-the-counter medicines) can cause damage your kidneys. Sometimes diagnostic lab tests are ordered with contrast dye. It may be necessary for you to have the test, but first find out if there are alternative methods as contrast dye can be harmful to kidneys.
Some diseases, such as IgA nephropathy, glomerulonephritis, and lupus can cause kidney damage when your immune system overreacts and inflammation occurs. It's sometimes possible to slow the disease process by controlling the immune system with steroids and/or other medicines.
Talk with your doctor about all medications and to find out what you can do to help slow the progress of your kidney disease.
Get Free Kidney-Friendly Cookbooks
Kidney Care Begins with Kidney Smart®
Learn more and get your questions answered in a no-cost kidney education class.
How Is Kidney Function Measured?
Learn how your glomerular filtration rate (GFR) serves as an indicator of kidney function.
Find a Dialysis Center
Call 1-800-424-6589 now to talk to one of our placement specialists.
