Your kidneys, each just the size of a computer mouse, filter all the blood in your body every 30 minutes. They work hard to remove wastes, toxins, and excess fluid. They also help control blood pressure, stimulate production of red blood cells, keep your bones healthy, and regulate blood chemicals that are essential to life.
Kidneys that function properly are critical for maintaining good health, however, more than one in seven American adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease (CKD).
About Chronic Kidney Disease
CKD is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should. Because of this, excess fluid and waste from blood remain in the body and may cause other health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
More than 1 in 7
15% of US adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, that is about 37 million people.
Some other health consequences of CKD include:
- Anemia or low number of red blood cells
- Increased occurrence of infections
- Low calcium levels, high potassium levels, and high phosphorus levels in the blood
- Loss of appetite or eating less
- Depression or lower quality of life
CKD has varying levels of seriousness. It usually gets worse over time though treatment has been shown to slow progression. If left untreated, CKD can progress to kidney failure and early cardiovascular disease. When the kidneys stop working, dialysis or kidney transplant is needed for survival. Kidney failure treated with dialysis or kidney transplant is called end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Learn more about ESRD.
Not all patients with kidney disease progress to kidney failure. To help prevent CKD and lower the risk for kidney failure, control risk factors for CKD, get tested yearly, make lifestyle changes, take medicine as needed, and see your health care team regularly.
FAQs
What drinks should people with kidney disease avoid?
- Cola beverages: Studies show that drinking 2 or more cola drinks a day may be harmful for people with kidney disease. ...
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol makes the kidneys less able to filter the blood and increases blood pressure, which can lead to kidney damage.
Whilst all fluid counts towards your fluid intake, water is one of the healthiest choices when it comes to maintaining kidney health. Sip water little and often.
What is the lowest GFR you can live with? ›
Stages of chronic kidney disease
| Stage of CKD | GFR (mL/min) | Action to take |
|---|
| 3 | 30–59 | Evaluate and treat any complications |
| 4 | 15–29 | Prepare for transplant or dialysis |
| 5 | < 15 | Start dialysis or get a transplant (if uremia is present) New evidence says dialysis should start by a GFR of 6, or sooner if there are symptoms. |
2 more rows1. Salt
- Canned soups.
- Processed meats like lunch meats, hot dogs, sausages.
- Frozen pizza.
- Frozen dinners.
- Snack foods like chips, crackers, pretzels.
- Condiments like ketchup, BBQ sauce, soy sauce.
- Salad dressing.
- Pickled foods like pickles, olives, beets.
Overall, there's good news for coffee drinkers. Most studies show that coffee has protective effects on the kidneys, thanks to antioxidants. Drinking coffee is associated with: A lower risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Are eggs good for the kidneys? ›
Healthy options for kidney disease are protein, egg whites, fish, unsaturated fats, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, apple juice, grape and cranberry juice, light colored soda. The amount of protein intake per day varies depending on the stage of kidney disease.
Are bananas good for the kidneys? ›
Damaged kidneys build up potassium in the blood, resulting in serious heart problems. Potassium is present in bananas, other fruits and vegetables (such as potatoes, avocados and melons). People with advanced kidney disease are usually advised to avoid some fruits and vegetables, including bananas.
What foods cleanse the kidneys? ›
A person can try adding these kidney-friendly foods to their diet:
- pomegranate.
- avocado.
- tofu.
- fish.
- broccoli.
- squash.
- leafy greens.
- tomatoes.
Fruits
- Açai berries. Açai (ah-sigh-EE) berries are small fruits that grow in clusters like grapes and have a center pit. ...
- Apples. Apples are rich in antioxidants and a good source of fiber and vitamin C. ...
- Citrus. ...
- Cherries. ...
- Pomegranates. ...
- Strawberries. ...
- Tomatoes.
Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney disease. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. But also heart disease and obesity can contribute to the damage that causes kidneys to fail. Urinary tract issues and inflammation in different parts of the kidney can also lead to long-term functional decline.
The DASH Diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, and nuts. It is low in salt and sodium, added sugars and sweets, fat and red meats.
What is an alarming GFR? ›
A GFR of 60 or higher is in the normal range. A GFR below 60 may mean kidney disease. A GFR of 15 or lower may mean kidney failure.
What is poor man's dialysis? ›
Also referred to as prolonged intermittent renal replacement therapy (PIRRT) —and sometimes derided as "poor man's CRRT"—SLED is a hybrid form of dialysis that takes the best parts of intermittent hemodialysis and continuous RRT. Some of the goals of this modality are: 1.
How long does it take to go from stage 1 to stage 5 kidney disease? ›
Kidney disease progresses at different rates for different people, and it can take between two and five years to pass between different stages.
Does cranberry juice good for kidneys? ›
4. Cranberries. Cranberries are low in potassium and high in vitamin C, making them another great choice for people with kidney disease. Cranberry juice has also been shown to help prevent urinary tract infections, which are typical for people with kidney disease.
Is ice cream bad for the kidneys? ›
Dairy. Dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, milk, and ice cream are a good source of calcium, protein, and other important nutrients. They are also high in phosphorus and potassium. A person in the later stages of kidney disease may need to limit protein, phosphorus, and potassium, which will also mean limiting dairy ...
What is the best bottled water for kidneys? ›
For kidney patients, it is recommended that they talk to their doctor first and then go for Evian Bottled Water. Consumers like the clean and crisp taste of the Evian. Some of them stated that they felt better digestion after drinking Evian Water. It is available in a variety of sizes.
