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Writer's picturemichaelamocanu
Aug 123 min read

How To Prevent Kidney Disease

Updated: Aug 13


A healthy kidney

Kidney disease affects around 35.5 million Americans. This disease is one of the most common chronic diseases in the country, and it’s alarming how fast the number of cases is increasing. Without a doubt, there is a need for prevention strategies. Here are seven ways to prevent kidney disease and maintain your overall health.


1. Get Your Kidney Function Checked Regularly

Kidney disease progresses without noticeable symptoms in the initial stages. As such, nine out of ten people with this disease do not know they have it. Moreover, one in three of these individuals with severely reduced kidney function are unaware of their condition.


Prevention of kidney disease starts with early detection, and early detection is possible through regular check-ups. Get routine screenings, which include blood tests that evaluate kidney function and urine tests to find early indicators of kidney damage.


2. Monitor Your Blood Pressure

Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, is a risk factor for kidney disease because it can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys. Consequently, the kidney’s ability to filter waste from the bloodstream decreases over time.

 

Reduce the strain on your kidneys by keeping your blood pressure within a healthy range. Monitor your blood pressure and work with your doctor to manage it through medication or lifestyle changes.



Blood Pressure Monitoring

3. Control Your Blood Sugar Levels

Another chronic kidney disease prevention strategy is controlling your blood sugar levels. Besides hypertension, diabetes is a leading cause of kidney disease, as heightened glucose levels damage the kidney’s blood vessels.


Monitoring your blood glucose levels lets you make informed decisions about your diet and activities. You may want to invest in a glucometer to measure your blood sugar levels at home or schedule regular tests with your doctor. If you have diabetes, a continuous glucose monitoring device can help you make healthier food choices. Keep what you eat in check!


4. Maintain a Healthy Diet

What you consume affects your blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and all the other factors contributing to kidney disease. Therefore, a healthy, balanced diet is crucial in kidney disease prevention.


Have more fresh fruits and vegetables in your meals. Moreover, add whole grains and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Cut back on salt, added sugars and processed foods. You can also record what you eat for a week to track your diet progress.


5. Exercise Regularly

Without an exercise routine, your body becomes more vulnerable to chronic diseases. Exercising improves cardiovascular health, enhancing blood flow and reducing kidney strain. If you do not have an exercise routine, consider walking, swimming, cycling, or any other form of physical activity you enjoy. For a healthier life and to reduce the risk of heart disease, it is advised to do 150 minutes weekly of moderate intensity activity but every bit of movement counts. Move more and sit less to improve your quality of life!


6. Avoid Overuse of Painkillers

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and lower fevers, providing significant relief and improving the quality of life for many. These medications can be found over the counter, however, excessive use of these drugs can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, affecting the kidney tissue and function. If you are in pain, it is best to consult your doctor to ask for advice. 


7. Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol Consumption

Smoking can damage all your organs, including the kidneys. Ultimately, it impairs blood flow to the kidneys, increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease. Quitting smoking can stabilize the function of your kidneys and reduce the likelihood of other major health issues. Get professional help to quit smoking if necessary.


There are free behavioral support programs available to help patients quit smoking. They offer multi-session counseling by appointment which is convenient, private and free. They may provide free samples for lozenges, gum or patches. 


Similarly, excessive alcohol consumption can result in high blood pressure. Heavy drinking causes dehydration and interferes with the kidney’s ability to filter toxins. Limiting alcohol intake to moderate levels can keep kidney disease at bay.


Wrapping Up Ways To Prevent Kidney Disease

Knowing how to prevent kidney disease is a must for all who wish to lead a healthy life. First, do regular check-ups and monitoring of blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Next, maintain a healthy, balanced diet and stay physically active. Manage your pain with caution, and, most importantly, quit smoking and limit your alcohol intake.


Prevention is always better than cure, and proactively taking mindful steps toward health can go a long way. Improve your kidney health with Hypertension Kidney Care & Weight Management. Dial (610) 510-7152 or schedule your visit online.

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