End-stage-renal disease (ESRD) is the complete failure of the kidney. It is the final stage of chronic kidney disease, which is a progressive loss of kidney function over time. ESRD is a serious condition and can lead to death. Patients with ESRD are often put on dialysis or have kidney transplants, which are very costly.
Instructions
1. Control your blood pressure and blood sugar. About two-thirds of end-stage renal disease cases are caused by either diabetes or hypertension. About one-third of diabetic patients develop some form of chronic kidney disease, which might eventually lead to ESRD. If you have diabetes, you should keep your A1C concentration less than 7 percent. You also should keep your blood pressure lower than 130/80 mm Hg.
2. Use angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE-inhibitor) to reduce the risk of ESRD. Studies showed that the use of ACE inhibitors like ramipril can reduce the risk of ESRD in both nondiabetic and diabetic patients by 22 to 35 percent.
3. If you have diabetes or hypertension, have your urine tested regularly for protein and albumin. High concentrations of total protein and/or albumin are an indication of kidney failure. Early treatment of kidney failure will stop or at least slow the progression to end-stage renal disease.
4. If you are at high risk for ESRD, you should have a protein-restricted diet. The National Kidney Foundation recommends a daily diet of 0.8 to 1.0 g of protein per kg per day and a daily caloric intake of 30 to 35 kcal per kg per day for patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.
5. If you are a smoker, quit smoking. Smoking increases the risk of ESRD in diabetic patients by 30 percent.
Tags: risk ESRD, chronic kidney, chronic kidney disease, diabetic patients, kidney disease