Introduction
Many kidney diseases can be successfully treated if they are caught early. Unfortunately, there are a number of diseases where the cause isn’t known or the underlying disease can’t be cured.
General Treatment Options
- Diet / Lifestyle Changes: A low-protein diet may help prevent the progression of kidney failure in addition to lessening the symptoms of toxin buildup. Avoiding tobacco is also important.
- Blood Pressure Control: High blood pressure has been consistently shown to worsen kidney failure, even if it not the original cause of it. “Sick” kidneys can’t take the increased pressure and will fail faster if the blood pressure is not adequately controlled.
- ACE Inhibitors / ARB's: These medications have been shown to have some benefit for the kidneys that isn’t completely explained by their ability to improve blood pressure. They are recommended for most patients with kidney disease, but they need careful monitoring.
- Immunosuppressive Drugs: A few kidney diseases are caused by an autoimmune or inappropriate inflammatory disease and may respond to suppression of the immune system. These drugs require very careful monitoring.
- Invasive Procedures: Some kidney diseases cannot be treated with medications and require a definitive and invasive procedure. Examples include narrowing of blood vessels, blocking of the ureters, pockets of pus surrounding the kidney, cancerously looking masses, and very symptomatic cysts.
- Dialysis: Many kidney diseases, regardless of their cause, may result in kidney failure. When the kidneys can no longer remove enough toxins and extra fluid to keep your alive, you need dialysis.
- Transplantation: Dialysis is not a cure for kidney failure. The blood isn’t “cleansed” as good and its rapid removal of fluid can make people very sick. For many, getting a kidney transplant is a better alternative.
- Hospice: Some people can’t have a transplant and they absolutely don't want to go on dialysis. For these people, entering a hospice program is usually the best choice.