Conservative Treatments For Renal Disease

If you have renal disease, you may experience swollen ankles, puffy eyes, abdominal swelling, back pain, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Mild to moderate renal, or kidney disease needs to be effectively managed, because if it progresses to end-stage disease, you may require kidney failure treatment such as dialysis, or even transplantation. Here are some conservative treatments for renal disease, that if not effective, may lead to the need for more intensive treatment options.

Limiting NSAID Use 

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, and to a lesser extent, aspirin, may be contraindicated in people receiving chronic kidney disease treatment, or CKD treatment. NSAIDs can cause fluid retention and make it more difficult for your kidneys to filter out toxins.

If you take NSAIDs and have arthritis or another type of inflammatory condition, or if you suffer from chronic pain, talk to your doctor about alternatives to NSAIDs. If alternative pain relief methods fail to bring relief from your discomfort or inflammation, your physician may allow you to keep taking NSAIDs, under strict supervision.

While your doctor may allow you to keep taking your NSAIDs, he or she may recommend that you take a smaller dosage. It may also be necessary to undergo periodic blood tests to evaluate your kidney function. 

Take Your Diuretics

Treatment for kidney failure and other types of renal disease may include managing high blood pressure and high cholesterol and consuming a low-protein diet. Eating foods rich in protein may create certain waste products which will need to be filtered out by your kidneys. This can increase the workload on your renal system and worsen your symptoms.

Another common CKD treatment is the use of diuretic medication. Diuretics, otherwise known as "water pills," help the body rid itself of excess fluid through urination. In addition to lessening the workload on your kidneys, diuretics may also help lower high blood pressure, which is an important risk factor in the development of renal disease. While diuretics may help lower your risk for complications from kidney disease, they can cause side effects. If you develop dizziness, faintness, nausea, diarrhea, or palpitations while taking diuretics, see your health care provider.

If you have kidney disease, consider the above interventions and see your doctor on a regular basis. If your family physician believes your disease is extensive, he or she may refer you to a nephrologist, a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and management of kidney disease. 

Share