There are many ways in which you can help yourself to reduce the risk factors that contribute to kidney disease. If you have been diagnosed with kidney disease, you may be called for more tests. This guidance is to help you to reduce risk factors that contribute to the development of kidney problems and for early kidney disease.
When tests first shows signs of CKD your GP may need you to attend for further checks to confirm the findings and to look for cause. Sometimes an ultrasound scan of the kidney is needed. You may need to see a hospital specialist depending on results of all of the tests and if there are particular problems such as difficulty in controlling blood pressure Or diabetes.
It will be important to have regular blood and urine test and blood pressure checks with your doctor or nurse. You are likely to be given tablets to treat your high blood pressure.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY SELF?
A healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk factors that contribute to kidney problems. You can help reduce your blood pressure and help prevent the development of diabetes, or improve your health if you already have diabetes, by observing the following:
Try to follow a well balanced eating plan! Which is low in fat, low in salt and contains plenty of fruit and vegetables
In addition to making changes to your diet you can also benefit your health by being more active.
Regular exercise is very important for overall health and to strengthen the heart and lower cholesterol. Remember to start slowly, with mild activity, and try to build up to 30 minutes of activity most days of the week. (Before beginning an exercise programme, please ask your GP for advice)
The following subsections give more guidance about diet and weight management. Most of the information contained in this section has been derived with permission from Leicestershire Nutrition and Dietetic Service (LNDS) www.lnds.nhs.uk NHS website and renal dietititans. The Leicestershire Diabetes Website www.leicestershirediabetes.org.uk
