Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the deterioration of kidney function over time. When kidney function declines, the body can no longer filter waste products from the blood effectively.

CKD affects individuals of all ages. Common risk factors include high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, heart failure, and family history. There is no cure for chronic kidney disease – it must be managed with treatments like dialysis and kidney transplant.

But the good news is that early detection of chronic kidney disease can keep it from getting worse, leading to a better quality of life for patients. Here are a few things to keep in mind. 

If you’ve just been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), you’re likely feeling overwhelmed by how your life might change and unsure of what your future looks like. At the Nephrology Associates of Greater Cincinnati, we empower our patients to take an active role in their kidney health from day one. There will be much to learn on this journey, but it’s never too early to start taking control of your health. Here are four things you can do after receiving a CKD diagnosis. 

Warm weather is right around the corner, and after months spent indoors during the pandemic, our neighbors across the tristate are anxious to get outside. Many kidney disease patients are diligent about protecting themselves from COVID-19 through physical distancing, mask wearing, and getting vaccinated, but summer requires extra vigilance for those with CKD even in non-pandemic times. Here are a few tips to stay healthy as temperatures are on the rise.

In a year full of exceptional challengers, chronic kidney disease patients have needed to take vigilant care to protect themselves from COVID-19 while maintaining their dialysis treatment schedules. Our care team at the Nephrology Associates of Greater Cincinnati have seen our patients overcome tremendous obstacles to preserve their health. If you’re wondering what to give the dialysis patient in your life this holiday season, look no further. Here are a few thoughtful gift ideas to make their day.

Getting a flu shot is important every fall, but even more so this year with COVID-19. Coronavirus and the flu are caused by different viruses, making it possible to contract both at the same time. By getting your flu shot this year, you can reduce your chances of flu complications and potentially conserve healthcare resources for COVID-19 patients.

You’re likely aware that COVID-19 can cause significant respiratory issues in infected individuals. But did you know that the coronavirus can also attack a person’s kidneys? A National Kidney Foundation – Harris Poll Survey revealed that just under 1 in 5 Americans are aware of the potential for acute kidney injury (AKI) as the result of this virus. The presence of AKI in COVID-19 cases has important implications for the long term health of survivors and our health care system.

As a chronic kidney disease patient, routine trips for blood and urine tests are part of your life. With recent spikes in COVID-19 cases around the tri-state, it’s natural to feel uneasy about the safety of getting these labs done in-person. Being aware of the risks and benefits can help you feel more at ease and start a conversation with your care team about how to manage your CKD during the pandemic.

Importance of routine testing

Your Nephrology Associates of Greater Cincinnati care team believes in the importance of detecting and treating chronic kidney disease early. Routine blood and urine tests allow your nephrologist to keep a close eye on the progression of the disease and effectiveness of the treatment plan.

Risks versus benefits

The CDC determined that CKD patients are among high-risk groups for contracting COVID-19. Any activities with the potential for human contact, like coming in for routine lab tests, have some degree of risk. Talk to your nephrologist about the risks versus the benefits of in-person lab testing. In some cases, your risk of complications from CKD is greater than the risk of potential coronavirus exposure. This will ultimately be a decision you make with your doctor based on your overall health and comfort level.

Safety measures

Some labs, like urine tests, could be done in-home. If your insurance company and lab center approve it, they will send you a test kit to complete and send back. But if you do need to have your labs done in-person, know that these facilities are among the most thoroughly sanitized places you can go. Healthcare providers are vigilant about providing clean environments so patients can continue receiving routine care. Before you come in, your lab center will likely call you for a COVID-19 phone screen. Let them know you are a high-risk patient, and they can arrange for you to come in during high-risk-patients-only hours and put additional precautions in place to protect you.

And of course, when you go in for your labs, always wear your mask and gloves, keep your distance from others, and wash your hands frequently.

When living with a chronic illness like kidney disease, it can sometimes feel like the illness is all-consuming. Rewiring the brain to find gratitude can not only support mental health, but also aid in the physical healing process. Mindfulness practices like showing gratitude and meditation can help reduce inflammation, decrease anxiety and depression that are common with chronic illnesses, and even lower blood pressure when done consistently. As a CKD patient, you know that keeping your blood pressure in check is important to slowing the progression of kidney disease. Developing a daily gratitude practice is a great first step toward using your mind to promote well-being in your whole body. Here are a few ways to get started.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than half of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients also have high blood pressure. High blood pressure (HBP), also called hypertension, can increase the chance that your CKD will worsen, making it extremely important for CKD patients to maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and keep blood pressure in check.

Unregulated HBP and chronic kidney disease are inextricably linked – hypertension can cause kidney disease and kidney disease can cause hypertension.

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of CKD. High blood pressure damages blood vessels throughout your body over time, which reduces the blood supply to vital organs like your kidneys. When HBP also damages the filtering bodies in your kidneys, the kidneys can no longer remove toxins, wastes, and excess water from your blood effectively. The extra fluid buildup in the blood vessels can then accelerate hypertension more.