with Chronic Kidney Disease

How to Live WellHow to Live Well

The Leading Causes of Chronic Kidney Diseaseare diabetes and high blood pressure. If youtreat diabetes and high blood pressure carefully,you can protect your kidneys.

Keep your blood sugars and hemoglobinA1c or fructosamine within the goal setby your doctors.

Check your blood sugars regularly andtake your medicines as prescribed.

Follow a diabetes-approved eating plan.

Keep your blood pressure below 130/80unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Achieve or stay at a healthy weight.

If you are overweight, start a program tolose weight.

DiabetesYou can protect your kidneys by controllingyour blood sugar. If you have diabetes:

While There is No Cure for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), there are many things youcan do to keep your kidneys and your bodyhealthy. You are in control of your body and canmake a difference.

High Blood PressureHigh blood pressure (BP) damages the kidneys,and kidney disease causes high blood pressure.It is a vicious circle. Talk with your doctor aboutyour blood pressure goal.

Limit Salt IntakeSalt raises blood pressure, and can make youthirsty and cause swelling. High salt dietsraise the risk of stroke, heart attack, heartfailure, kidney failure and death. Don’t use asalt shaker at the table or in the kitchen.Beware of the salt in processed foods. Useour guide for decreasing salt intake to help.

Buy a home BP monitor: you can get agood one for $50. Bring it to the doctorto compare the measurements. Checkyour BP regularly and write it down tobring to appointments. Take your BP medicine as prescribed.Your BP may need more than one drug,and you may need more medicine if yourkidney function changes. Unless you are very skinny, lose weight.Losing weight often decreases the needfor blood pressure medicines.

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with Chronic Kidney Disease

Kidney CareReal Engagement Achieving Complete Health

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Good Nutrition and ExerciseYour kidneys need a healthy placeto work.

Low sodium and low cholesteroldiets keep your whole bodyworking better.Your kidney diet may changeover time. You may need to limit yourprotein intake, as it creates wastethat is hard to filter through yourkidneys. There are other foods that youmay need to decrease or avoidas kidney function changes.A dietitian will help you learnwhat you need to know to eatright.Exercise at least 30 minutes aday. Always talk to your doctorbefore starting a new exerciseprogram.DON’T SMOKE!Smoking damages your kidneysand also • causes cancer• raises your blood pressure• increases your risk of heart

attack or stroke• hardens your arteries• makes kidney transplant and

surgery for dialysis difficult or unsuccessful

People with CKD should avoidaspirin and NSAIDS (ibuprofen,Advil™, Aleve™, etc): as they canharm your kidneys. Acetaminophen(Tylenol™) is a better choice for painrelief when you have kidney disease.Also avoid decongestants, likeSudafed™, as they can raise yourblood pressure.Always talk to a nurse, physician orpharmacist before buying over-the-counter medicines, especially coldmedicines and pain relievers. Makesure they know you have kidneydisease.

If you start or stop any medications.If any doctor or hospital changes adose, or starts or stops a medication.If you cannot afford your medicationsor are unable to pick them up.

If your medications cause side effects.

MedicinesIf you take your medicines asprescribed, you are less likely to behospitalized and less likely to harm yourkidneys. Some medicines can actuallyharm your kidneys.Bring ALL the medicines you take athome to every CKD appointment. Thisshould include over-the-counter, herbaland dietary supplements, ointments,creams, drops, inhalers, and pills. In-between visits, let your nephrologistand CKD Educator know:

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If you smoke, there are programsto help you quit.

How to Live Well

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