“What lifestyle changes and medications can help slow the progression of CKD?”

Hi, great question. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects a little more than 1 in every 7 adults in the United States. Its very common and is a major contributor to chronic morbidity and mortality in our country. There are many conditions which can lead to either the cause of or the progression of CKD. Some of those include: blood pressure (hypertension), blood sugar control (i.e. prediabetes, diabetes), as well many associated medications (i.e NSAID class of medicaitons) that with chronic use can also increase the risk for CKD progression. So, knowing what can cause the condition, we can predict ways to help reduce those factors from showing up in the first place.

So lifestyle changes that can help slow the progression of CKD would be changes to dietary decrease sodium intake limit foods that have a lot of phosphorus in it. Also eat foods in citrus fruits that have less potassium in them. Plant-based products are good beans nuts they’re easier on the kidneys, exercising 20 to 30 minutes a day. If you are a smoker, stopping smoking can be beneficial if you have high blood pressure make sure that you are keeping your blood pressure maintained in a healthy range because it can slow the pressure progression of CKD if it is normal . If you are overweight or obese, I’m trying to have better diet regimen and exercise and losing some weight will also be helpful with CKD. I hope this answers your questions if you have any other questions or concerns, let me know. Have a great day.

Medications that may slow progression of CKD depend on the underlying disease. For example adequately treating diabetes with oral medication or insulin may slow the process. Hypertension can be treated with ACE or ARB inhibitors which help to protect the kidneys. These same classes of medication may help to protect kidneys in diabetics. For autoimmune disease such as lupus immunomodulators and immunosuppressants may help to stop the progression of renal impairment caused by the underlying disease. In summary, adequately treating the underlying causes may help to slow or stop the progression of many common diseases of the kidney. Kevin Sherin c-407-325-0433 "Lets make decisions that result in a sustainable world for 7 generations" Haudenosaunee Proverb