Currently, about 10% of people globally are living with some type of kidney disease. The good news though, is that with so many advancements in the medical and biotech world, there are now diverse kidney disease treatment options out there. This comprehensive guide will take you through a few of these options that can make quite a difference in your situation or that of your loved ones.
Read on.
Dialysis Credit: Anna Frodesiak
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Lifestyle Changes In Kidney Disease Treatment
Lifestyle adjustments may not seem important compared to full-on medical care, especially once kidney disease kicks in. But they genuinely help, if not stop the condition they may at least slow its progression. Diet, sleep, exercise – it’s all interconnected. These lifestyle adjustments work well for those with early-stage kidney illness (typically stages 1-3). But you can also benefit from being proactive, whether at risk or already diagnosed.
The main goal here is to slow disease progression. By making certain lifestyle adjustments, you ease up on what your kidneys must handle day-to-day, safeguarding their health. Here are some key options to mull over:
Dietary Changes
Who does this work for? Diet tweaks are a cornerstone for pretty much anyone with kidney issues, regardless of stage.
Why docs go this route: The goal here is to take pressure off your kidneys while preventing chemical imbalances that can worsen existing damage. The specifics depend on your kidney function and general health outlook.
Some examples:
- Lowering salt intake – Helps manage blood pressure, which protects kidney health.
- Cutting back on protein – This can lighten the workload for your kidneys.
- Tracking potassium and phosphorus levels – Keeping these in check prevents harmful imbalances.
A kidney dietitian provides customized guidance to meet nutritional needs while safeguarding kidney function.
Exercise
Who does this work for? Regular physical activity benefits most kidney disease patients unless other health issues are in play.
Why docs go this route: Exercise offers lots of wins:
- Helps control blood pressure
- Improves cholesterol
- Maintains a healthy weight – Crucial since extra pounds can accelerate disease progression.
Routines should match capabilities.
Smoking Cessation
Who is this for? Non-negotiable for all kidney disease patients, especially those with existing damage.
Why docs go this route: Smoking seriously harms kidney health by:
- Worsening existing kidney damage
- Speeding up the function decline
Lifestyle changes can indeed make a difference for the better.
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Dialysis In Kidney Disease Treatment
So who’s a candidate? Dialysis often comes into play at stage 5, when the kidneys throw their hands up and say “I’m out of here!” At this point, they’ve lost most of the ability to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood.
The key measurement guiding the call for dialysis is your glomerular filtration rate (GFR). You want to see GFR above 60 ml/min. When it dips below 15 ml/min, red flags wave, since the kidneys are struggling. And that’s when dialysis comes in.
There are two main types used for kidney disease treatment – hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis outsources the blood cleaning to a machine, typically at a clinic but sometimes at home. Peritoneal dialysis takes more of a DIY approach, using your body’s tissues to handle the filtration.
Either way, the end goal is the same – take over for what the kidneys can no longer do in filtering out waste and surplus fluid. This intervention is critical once the kidneys have been punched out to keep the rest of the body functioning properly without toxic buildup.
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Medications In Kidney Disease Treatment
Medications make up a solid treatment avenue at all stages of kidney illness. But they’re especially key for people coping with particular symptoms or complications like high blood pressure or anemia.
Choosing meds resembles a tailored suit more than a one-size-fits-all. The specifics depend on your unique symptoms, kidney disease causes, and other health issues you’ve got going on.
If blood pressure is all too high, doctors often resort to ACE inhibitors or ARBs. They not only get BP in check but also slow down kidney damage.
Feeling drained energy-wise? Erythropoiesis-stimulating meds can assist your body to produce more red blood cells to fight off anemia.
Kidney issues sometimes affect bone health, too. Supplements like calcium and vitamin D, paired with phosphate binders help safeguard your skeleton.
Now for the tricky part – as kidney function changes over time, medications often need adjustment too. What worked well early on may require altered dosage or swapping as the illness progresses. It’s because the kidneys’ filtering capabilities shift as time passes.
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Control Of Underlying Conditions
When we talk about getting underlying conditions in check, we’re mainly focusing on kidney disease patients whose issues are caused or aggravated by other health problems.
The usual troublemakers are diabetes and high blood pressure. These can either spark kidney disease or make existing cases worse. Now, why is handling these root causes so important? It’s all about pressing pause on disease progression.
For example, if diabetes is also present, keeping blood sugar under control isn’t just about diabetes itself – it also reduces strain on your kidneys. Same idea with high blood pressure. Reining in BP protects in two ways: you remove the main driver of disease while also safeguarding kidney function.
The name of the game is straightforward here: tackle the initial culprit to shield your kidneys. This can mean a combination of meds, diet changes, and lifestyle shifts.
The treatment depends on the specifics of your situation. But keeping those underlying conditions in check is non-negotiable for supporting kidney health.
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Kidney Transplant In Kidney Disease Treatment
A kidney transplant is on the table for those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This final stage means your kidneys have lost most filtering abilities.
Whether a transplant is feasible depends largely on your overall health and illness severity. It’s not just securing an organ donor – your body must handle complex surgery and post-transplant medications to prevent rejection.
For those who qualify, transplants are often chosen over dialysis. Why? They tend to offer improved quality of life and longevity. However, it’s a huge decision requiring extensive assessments of various health factors.
The evaluation process considers risks versus benefits for your unique situation. Your care team will discuss all the pros and cons to determine if it’s the optimal next move. While not right for everyone with ESRD, transplants give many patients their best shot at reclaiming life on their terms.
I encourage asking your nephrologist plenty of questions if you’re weighing this route – it’s a very personal choice with a lot to consider.
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Treatment Of Complications
These treatments can be relevant for you at any stage of kidney disease if complications arise. Common issues are cardiovascular disease, bone disease, or anemia.
Since kidney disease can impact the whole body, it’s not unusual for patients to have various health problems as illness progresses.
Treating complications happens on a case-by-case basis – it’s about matching the right therapy to your specific need. For example, cardiovascular problems might need a different playbook compared to handling bone disease or anemia.
The key is customizing treatment to each of your complications while keeping the underlying kidney situation in mind. This multi-layered tactic helps ensure proper management of your whole health picture, not just the kidney parts.
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Palliative Care In Kidney Disease Treatment
For those battling advanced kidney disease, palliative care often becomes a key part of the care plan. This is especially true if you’re not eligible for intense treatments like dialysis or transplant, or decide those aggressive options aren’t aligned with your goals.
When illness progresses to a point where certain treatments create more hassle than help, the priority shifts to quality of life rather than longevity. That’s where palliative care comes in.
It takes a whole-person approach, supporting you and your loved ones as you navigate the twists and turns. The focus is on providing comfort and peace during the hard parts.
Specialized teams work closely with you to fully understand what’s important to you. They personalize care to match your values, priorities, and preferences.
If you find yourself facing these difficult decisions down the road, I encourage you to ask your doctor how palliative support services could enhance the well-being of both you and your family.
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Experimental Treatments And Clinical Trials
This option likely piques your interest if standard treatments haven’t helped or you’re dealing with a form of kidney disease lacking good conventional therapies. Clinical trials represent a beacon of hope for many in those shoes.
The specifics of each trial play a huge role in determining if you qualify – stage of illness, health status, other conditions you have, etc. They have strict criteria.
But for those running low on alternatives, getting into one can feel like the chance you’ve been waiting for. Now a crucial reality check: these cutting-edge treatments are still in experimental mode. Their safety and effectiveness remain under investigation.
If considering this path, have in-depth talks with your medical team about your potential benefits and risks. Make sure you grasp the big “what ifs” before jumping in. Being crystal clear will allow you to make the best call for your situation.
In Closing
As you’ve learned in this comprehensive guide to kidney disease treatment options, there are many avenues you can take, depending on your state. If you’re battling a kidney disorder, reach out to your doctor.
They can advise you on the best approach to ensure you get the best treatment at the best time.
References
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Chronic Kidney Disease. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15096-chronic-kidney-disease
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Managing Chronic Kidney Disease. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/managing
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Chronic kidney disease: Diagnosis & treatment. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354527
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Choosing a Treatment for Kidney Failure. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidney-failure/choosing-treatment
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Managing Chronic Kidney Disease. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/managing
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Chronic Kidney Disease. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15096-chronic-kidney-disease
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for personal medical guidance.
