Chronic kidney disease is treated symptomatically. While curing kidney disease may not yet be possible as of 2010, many of the individual symptoms can be held in check to prolong the life of the kidneys. Patients with abnormal function require regular monitoring so that treatment can be regularly assessed and changed as necessary.
Statistics
According to the National Kidney Foundation, one in every nine Americans has chronic kidney disease, or CKD. This means that roughly 26 million Americans have CKD. Millions of others, such as patients with diabetes and lupus, are at risk for this condition. Aggressive monitoring and treatment can prolong lives.
Mortality
According to the National Kidney Foundation, the leading cause of death for kidney patients is cardiac disease. This is why blood pressure and cholesterol need to be monitored and treated. As kidney disease progresses, high blood pressure often gets progressively uncontrollable. It is fairly common for patients with advanced kidney disease to be on four or five different medications just to control blood pressure. However, this approach pays off by extending the life of the kidneys.
Dietary Advice
The National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease explains that as renal disease progresses, serum levels like calcium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium can easily get out of whack. Nephrologists can tell patients when dietary changes would be helpful. Consulting with a dietician who is knowledgeable about renal diets can be very helpful. In many instances, phosphorus levels can be controlled by taking phosphorus binders.
Expert Opinion
High urine protein is one of the risk factors for progression of kidney disease. When proteins pass through the glomeruli instead of being retained in the blood, they often damage the tiny filters in the kidneys called glomeruli. When this happens over months and years, kidney function becomes progressively impaired as more glomeruli are lost.
A 2001 article in Kidney International shows that ACE inhibitors significantly reduce urine protein. This class of drugs is commonly used to regulate blood pressure. The article concludes that "proteinuria [is] a modifiable risk factor for the progression of non-diabetic renal disease."
Financing
Financing the cost of treating abnormal renal function is a burden on many families. If the patient is lucky enough to have insurance, the insurers can often be difficult to deal with. Taking the time to speak to a social worker who has expertise in financing disease can be immensely helpful. The patient may be entitled to Medicare, SCHIP or state programs for chronically ill children. Such programs can go a long way toward making treatment feasible.
References
- Kidney International: Proteinuria as a modifiable risk factor for the progression of non-diabetic renal disease
- National Kidney Foundation: Kidney Disease
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Chronic Kidney Disease
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Nutrition for Later Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults
