Treating Chronic Renal Failure

Although chronic kidney disease cannot be cured, it is possible to slow the damage to the kidney in most patients. Your doctor may recommend any of the following:

• Controlling protein in the urine through restricting the amount of protein in the diet or medication
• Taking ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists to slow the progression to chronic renal failure
• Reducing the use of and the dosages of potentially renal toxic drugs
• Managing the complications of chronic renal disease (eg, fluid overload, high blood phosphate or potassium levels, low blood level of calcium, and anemia)
• Lowering high blood pressure
• Controlling blood sugar and lipid levels
• Staying hydrated
• Controlling salt in the diet
• Quitting smoking
• Undergoing dialysis , a medical process that cleans the blood
• Having a kidney transplant
• Counseling for you and your family about dialysis and/or transplant options