How to treat CKD

       Certain kidney diseases can be treated by fixing focused problems and disorders, however chronic kidney disease has no real cure. Once  diagnosed, it is an irreversible progression of the disease until patients' reach end stage renal failure, where the kidneys completely lose all function. Although there is no ultimate cure, there are treatments provided to patients with CKD that can help control and reduce the symptoms that accompany the disease. These treatments can also help in slowing the progression of  the disease. Earlier stages are treated through measures specific to certain symptoms and associated causes.

• Working to treat high blood pressure is one example of how doctors make an effort to treat the disease through directing their attention to causes of  CKD. Medications and other methods taken to lower blood pressure help to reduce the strain of blood filtration on your kidneys, and helps in avoiding other illnesses that are associated with high blood pressure that comes with CKD. 
• People with chronic kidney disease often face high levels of bad cholesterol in their blood with worsening kidney function. Providing medication that helps to decrease cholesterol levels is another way that doctors attempt to treat chronic kidney disease.
• Treating anemia can help relieve fatigue and weakness. Doctors can do this by providing erythropoietin supplements that aid in red blood cell production,  
• Medications, like diuretics, can be prescribed to help maintain the balance of fluids in your body. Swelling is a common side effect of CKD, but attempting to reduce the build up of excess fluids can help lower blood pressure, pain, and extra work for your kidneys.
• Lowering the amount of protein in the patient's diet can also be helpful in slowing the disease progression. When our bodies digest protein, they produce a lot of waste products that must than be filtered by our kidneys. Less waste means less strain on our kidneys. It is recommended that patient's with CKD meet with a dietitian to create a diet that meets individual needs and is kidney friendly. 
• Eating right is very important in helping control chronic kidney disease. 
• For more information on what makes a kidney friendly diet, watch this video!

Eventually, once patients reach end stage renal failure, additional treatments are needed. Because they can no longer keep up with waste and fluid clearance on their own, kidneys that are near complete failure require either dialysis or a transplant.

• Dialysis is the artificial removal of waste products and extra fluids from the blood. There are two ways this is done.
• Hemodialysis is when a machine is used to do your kidney's job.
• Peritoneal dialysis is the insertion of a catheter into the abdomen, which fills the abdominal cavity with a solution that absorbs waste and excess fluids. Eventually, the solution drains from the body, carrying the wastes with it.
• Kidney transplants include surgically replacing the diseased kidney with a healthy kidney. Patients who receive a transplant will need to take medication for the rest of their lives in order to keep the body from rejecting the organ.

Screenshot from youtube.com