Browse Conditions: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Preventing Kidney Failure

In some cases, you cannot prevent kidney failure. But there are some steps you can take that will lower your risk:

Maintain normal blood pressure.
If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar.
Avoid long-term exposure to toxic substances, such as lead and solvents.
Do not abuse alcohol or over-the-counter pain medication.
Limit the amount of drugs toxic to the kidney.
If you have chronic kidney failure, talk to your doctor before you become pregnant.

RESOURCES:

National Kidney Foundation
http://www.kidney.org

National Kidney and Neurologic Disease Information Clearinghouse
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/index.htm

Urology Health
http://www.urologyhealth.org/index.cfm

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.ca/

The Kidney Foundation of Canada
http://www.kidney.ab.ca

References:

Johnson CA, Levey AS, Coresh J, et al. Glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, and other markers. Am Fam Physician. 2004;70:1091-1097.

Johnson CA, Levey AS, Coresh J, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for chronic kidney disease in adults: part I. Definition, disease stages, evaluation, treatment, and risk factors. Am Fam Physician. 2004;70:869-876.

Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative. K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines for bone metabolism and disease in chronic kidney disease. Am J Kidney Dis. 2003;42:S1-201.

Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative.K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines on hypertension and antihypertensive agents in chronic kidney disease. Am J Kidney Dis. 2004;43:S1-S9.

Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative. Kidney disease outcomes quality initiative (K/DOQI) clinical practice guidelines for chronic kidney disease: evaluation, classification, and stratification. Am J Kidney Dis. 2002;39:S1-266.

Shannon D. Medications for chronic kidney disease. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81 . Updated April 2007. Accessed July 17, 2008.

Snivel CS, Gutierrez C. Chronic kidney disease: prevention and treatment of common complications. Am Fam Physician. 2004;70:1921-1928.

Use of herbal supplements in chronic kidney disease. National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: http://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozItem.cfm?id=123 . Updated November 2005. Accessed July 16, 2008.

Your kidneys and how they work. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/yourkidneys/#10 . Updated August 2007. Accessed July 16, 2008.

Last reviewed November 2008 by Adrienne Carmack, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Talk about it in the:
Kidney Failure Support Group

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