How to Treat Kidney Disease Effectively
The kidneys are necessary for many vital functions within the human body. Every single minute, your kidneys filter half a cup of blood, removing excess water and waste—and excreting it via urine.
Kidney disease can disrupt these essential functions, leading to a buildup of harmful substances in the body. When left untreated, this condition can cause serious health complications. It affects everything from blood pressure to bone health.
There are different kidney disease treatments available. Let's take a look.
1. Filspari
Filspari represents a breakthrough in treating IgA nephropathy (IgAN), a rare but serious kidney condition. This innovative medication specifically targets excessive protein in urine—a key marker of kidney damage. By reducing protein levels, Filspari helps protect kidney function and may slow disease progression.
Doctors typically prescribe this medication for patients with IgAN who show persistent protein loss through urine.
2. Lifestyle Changes
Many lifestyle changes can slow the progression of kidney disease. For instance, a kidney-friendly diet focusing on reducing salt, phosphorus and protein intake while ensuring proper nutrition may help. Regular exercise further helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels and improves overall kidney function.
Proper hydration requires a careful balance of drinking enough water to support kidney function without overwhelming these vital organs. Additionally, getting adequate sleep and managing stress through relaxation techniques can also support kidney health.
It’s also important to consider quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption to provide additional protection for the already compromised kidneys.
Finally, monitoring blood pressure at home and tracking daily fluid intake can help you stay within any recommended guidelines provided to you by your doctor. You may also be advised to monitor your blood sugar levels since high blood sugar can damage the kidneys further.
3. Dialysis
When the kidneys can no longer filter blood effectively, dialysis becomes a life-sustaining treatment option. This medical procedure removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when natural kidney function fails.
Two main types of dialysis offer different approaches to blood filtration:
- Hemodialysis uses a special machine to clean blood outside the body through a filter called a dialyzer. This is usually performed in a dialysis center or medical facility three to five times a week.
- Peritoneal dialysis filters the blood inside the body using the lining of the abdomen as a natural filter. This type of dialysis is performed daily and is usually done at home.
If necessary, your healthcare team or doctor will work with you to determine which type of dialysis best suits your lifestyle and medical needs.
4. Blood Pressure Medications
ACE inhibitors and ARBs are frequently used for managing blood pressure in kidney disease patients. The use of these medications can help slow the progression of the disease by relaxing blood vessels and reducing stress on the kidney organs.
Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers offer additional options for blood pressure control in kidney disease patients. Your healthcare provider may need to adjust these medications over time as kidney function changes. Some patients might need to avoid certain blood pressure medications based on their specific kidney condition and overall health status.
5. Cholesterol Medications
High cholesterol can damage blood vessels throughout the body, including those vital to kidney function. Statins are frequently used to manage cholesterol levels in kidney disease patients. These medications help protect both heart and kidney health by reducing harmful cholesterol buildup.
6. Kidney Transplant
For patients with end-stage kidney disease, transplantation offers the possibility of returning to a life without dialysis. This surgical procedure replaces a failing kidney with a healthy one from either a living or deceased donor. Ultimately, successful transplants can provide better quality of life and longer survival rates than long-term dialysis.
However, finding a suitable donor requires careful matching of blood and tissue types to reduce rejection risks. After transplantation, patients must also take immunosuppressive medications to prevent their body from rejecting the new kidney.
While transplantation can be highly successful, the waiting list for deceased donor kidneys often spans several years. Yet, a kidney donation from family members or compatible donors can significantly reduce waiting times and improve outcomes.
Managing Kidney Disease
While a diagnosis can be devastating, there are many options to manage kidney disease and slow its progression. These kidney disease treatments further help improve overall health and quality of life. At the end of the day, however, your exact treatment protocol will be determined by your doctor. They’ll prescribe or recommend treatments based on your specific situation.