Kidney disease intervention focuses on the causes of kidney failure, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and high cholesterol, according to MayoClinic.com. Weight control and early diagnosis of these conditions are important. Dietary recommendations include limiting salt consumption, choosing low-potassium rather than high-potassium foods and limiting protein consumption to minimize the accumulation of waste products in the blood that can overtax the kidneys.
Early Diagnosis of High Blood Pressure and Diabetes
Identifying the factors that increase the risk of chronic kidney failure as early as possible is an important intervention in preventing kidney disease. These factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity and a family history of kidney disease. In the case of polycystic kidney disease in which fluid-filled cysts develop in clusters inside the kidneys, developing high blood pressure poses the greatest risk of contracting this disease, according to MayoClinic.com. Dr. Paul Miller of Miller Dialysis Center in Opelousas, Louisiana, advises identifying these risk factors as soon as possible, preferably as early as teenage years, and monitoring these conditions yearly. Preventing kidney failure is crucial because of the limited options of treatment.
Weight Monitoring
Weight monitoring is an important aspect of preventing kidney disease. An unbalanced diet high in sugars and saturated fats is often responsible for obesity, one of the causes of kidney disease. Weight control is important for children as well, and they should be discouraged from drinking sodas and eating fast foods high in saturated fats.
Low-Potassium and Low-Phosphorous Foods
Kidneys eliminate excess potassium through the urine, and if you have kidney problems, your doctor may advise you to avoid high-potassium fruits and vegetables provided you do not suffer from potassium insufficiency. These include oranges, bananas, tomatoes, spinach and potatoes. Kidneys also remove excess phosphorous from the bloodstream, and when kidneys are weak, they allow phosphorous to accumulate, which may lead to bone disease. If you have kidney disease, possible food choices low in phosphorous include popcorn, corn cereals, sherbet, pasta, rice, green beans and powdered ice tea, lemonade or root beer mixes. Avoid dairy products, nuts and peanut butter, dried peas and dried beans, and hot chocolate and beer, which are high in phosphorous.
Limiting Protein Consumption
A low-protein diet may be recommended by your doctor if you have kidney disease, since proteins create waste products the kidneys must work to eliminate. However, specific medical advice tailored to you is necessary before you limit the proteins you eat, since proteins in general benefit the kidneys and help them fight infections, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Milk, eggs, meats, beans and cheese are high-protein foods, whereas fruits, vegetables, cereals and breads are low-protein foods.
Limiting Salt Consumption
Foods that contain added salt should be avoided if you have kidney problems, according to the National Kidney Foundation, because kidney disease and dietary sodium are often related. Fast foods, frozen dinners, canned or dehydrated soups, canned vegetables, processed meats such as bacon and ham, cheeses, much restaurant food, soy sauce and salty snacks have added salt.
