How to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Learn more about this serious health condition and what you can do to pump the brakes on it.

When your kidneys are working the right way, they do a lot for your body. That includes “filtering blood, regulating blood pressure and removing waste” from the body.

But when they’re not working so well, the opposite can happen. And that can lead to health conditions like heart disease or stroke. Kidney damage is also closely linked to diabetes. In fact, 1 in 3 adults with diabetes — and 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure — may have chronic kidney disease, or CKD for short. That’s a condition that damages the kidneys, and in more serious cases, it could lead to kidney (renal) failure.

While some things are out of your control when it comes to slowing CKD’s progress, like aging or family history, other things are in your power. Below, find out what some of those things are.

An unexpected diagnosis may effect your healthcare budget. Call a licensed insurance agent at (800) 827-9990 to talk about critical illness insurance coverage, or browse your options online today.

How do you know if you have chronic kidney disease?

Before we look at what you can do to slow the progression of CKD, it’s important to know whether you have it. You can find out if you have it through simple blood and urine tests. These tests measure:

• The blood’s level of creatinine (that’s a type of waste product in the body)
• Protein and creatinine levels in the urine

Many people with CKD may not notice any symptoms until the more advanced stages of the disease. Those could be:

• Feeling tired
• Foamy urine (pee)
• Itchy and/or dry skin
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Urinating (peeing) more often or less often than usual
• Weight loss without trying to lose weight

That’s why it’s so important to get the tests done early.

A critical illness insurance plan could provide financial support during your time of need. Call a licensed insurance agent at (800) 827-9990 to talk about available plans, or browse your options online today.

Tips for slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease

Let’s say you take the blood and urine tests. Your doctor confirms that you have CKD — but the disease is in its earliest stages.

What’s your next move? Thankfully, you can do quite a bit to slow the progression of CKD. Here are some tips:

• Tip #1: Keep tabs on your weight. Being overweight or obese can put extra strain on your kidneys and increase your risk of developing CKD in the first place. Aim for a balanced diet and regular physical activity to manage your weight effectively.
• Tip #2: Manage your blood pressure. High blood pressure is a leading risk factor of CKD. Regularly monitor your blood pressure and work with your healthcare provider to keep it within a healthy range. You’ll want to keep it below 140/90 mm Hg or a target set by your provider, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Tip #3: Follow your doctor’s lead on meds. You’ll want to take any medications you’ve been prescribed by your doctor. If you have conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, taking your meds as directed can help control these conditions and reduce the risk of kidney damage.
• Tip #4: Stay physically active. Exercise can improve your overall health, manage your weight and lower your blood pressure. That’s true whether you have mild, moderate or severe CKD. Shoot for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.
• Tip #5: Eat a healthy, balanced diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins can help. Limit your intake of salt and unhealthy fats to support kidney health.

Other options could include limiting your drinking, quitting smoking and getting your annual flu shot. And if you have diabetes, managing your blood sugar.

What types of health insurance could help if you’re worried about CKD?

The first type of insurance you’d need is a traditional health insurance plan. You can buy one on the Health Insurance Marketplace or through a private insurer. Many plans cover things like preventive screening tests with no out-of-pocket cost. Having a doctor or specialist get to know you and your family history can also be helpful.

Another type of plan that could come in handy is called critical illness insurance. It’s not a replacement for a traditional health plan. It’s a type of supplemental insurance that you pay extra for on top of your traditional health plan. (There is a monthly premium for supplemental insurance that is not included in what you’d pay for your primary health insurance.)

How does it work? Critical illness insurance pays a lump-sum benefit if you were to be diagnosed with an eligible critical illness, like end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which is kidney failure. You could use the money to help pay for medical expenses or even personal expenses while you’re sick.

In fact, critical illness insurance benefits may help cover dialysis and part of the treatment for ESRD. (Dialysis is a type of treatment that removes waste and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys aren’t working properly. )

It’s important to understand that some insurance companies may subject you to medical underwriting. That means that they can review your medical history and may deny you coverage if you have a pre-existing condition.

Still need more information on critical illness insurance plans? Call a licensed insurance agent at (800) 827-9990 to discuss coverage levels, or browse your options online today.

For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.