End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is a condition affecting more than 800,000 Americans, and while every case can’t be prevented, there are several things you can do to lower your risk. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common and effective things you can do to lower your risk of ESRD.

What is End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)?

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is the condition where your kidneys are not able to function on their own anymore. This means you need either long-term dialysis or a kidney transplant. ESRD means your kidneys are damaged, and they cannot filter out fluids and waste from your blood as well as they should be able to. This can lead to a number of health issues. Some of the things you can do to lower your risk of the condition include:

Managing Underlying Conditions

Lots of other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, and others can increase your risk of developing kidney disease. Try to keep these under control by following your doctor’s advice on medication and lifestyle changes. Many of the other things you can do to lower your risk of ESRD can help lower your risk or help to manage some of these other chronic conditions as well.

Stop Smoking

Smoking affects your overall health and isn’t really good for any part of your body. If you smoke, you have an increased risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes, which can all increase your risk of ESRD. The best thing to do for your heart, kidneys, and body as a whole is to quit smoking, or never start.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating a healthy and balanced diet can help keep your blood pressure and cholesterol at a healthy level. Your diet should include:

• Lots of fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day)
• Meals with starchy foods like potatoes, wholegrain bread, rice, and pasta
• Dairy or dairy alternatives
• Beans, fish, eggs, and/or meat for protein

Keep things like saturated fat, salt, and sugar to a minimum, and if you are at a high risk for kidney disease, you may be able to talk to a dietitian about other changes that can be even more specific, such as limiting the amount of potassium and phosphate you have in your diet.

Manage Your Alcohol Intake

Drinking a lot of alcohol can affect your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. While you don’t necessarily have to give up alcohol entirely, it’s best to stick to the recommended drinking guidelines of no less than two drinks a day for men and one drink or less for women.

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise is great for your overall health, and it can also help you to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of kidney disease. Exercise is also a key part of managing conditions such as diabetes and heart disease as well. Your goal should be at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity. Some examples might be riding a bike, brisk walking, swimming, jogging, dancing, and other exercises that really get your heart pumping.

Be Careful With Painkillers

Taking too many non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen can increase your risk of kidney disease. Stick to the amount recommended of whatever medication you may take, and do not take them longer than you’re supposed to.

Health Systems Management, a dialysis management company, is based in Tifton, Georgia. Our company provides turnkey dialysis management services to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist dialysis clinics in North Carolina and Emory Healthcare dialysis clinics in the Atlanta, Georgia area. For more information about Health Systems Management, our locations and job openings for RNs, LPNs, PCTs and CCHTs please visit: healthsystemsinc.com

Source: Nhs.uk