Can Kidney Disease Be Reversed? Essential Insights for Health

Can kidney disease be reversed?” is a question that highlights the hope and curiosity of many seeking to understand the possibilities of treatment and recovery for this condition. Kidney disease is on the rise and already affects about one in seven adults in America. However, the slow and silent progression of kidney disease often catches people off guard. There may be few or subtle symptoms of poor kidney function until it’s too late.

What leads to the onset of kidney problems? What factors can make kidney disease worse? Is there anything you can do to improve your odds of maintaining healthy kidneys? Let’s discuss this in more detail.

Kidney Function: An Important Process

The kidney is a marvel of biological engineering. It’s an integral part of your body’s purification and regulatory system. The primary job of a healthy kidney is to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. These are passed out of the body in the form of urine to keep the internal environment stable.

Kidneys also play a vital role in maintaining electrolyte balance. Minerals like sodium, potassium, and calcium are important components of blood and properly functioning kidneys ensure these elements stay balanced. Kidneys also produce hormones to regulate blood pressure, production of red blood cells, and improve bone health.

Unfortunately, very poor kidney function is a real problem in many people and can lead to troubling health conditions like chronic kidney disease (CKD).

What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?

Chronic kidney disease is characterized by gradually losing kidney function over time. Disease progression means your body becomes less efficient at filtering out waste products and excess fluids from your blood. Toxins build up in the body when the disease remains uncontrolled and untreated.

How Can You Tell If You Have Reduced Kidney Function?

In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, there may be few if any noticeable symptoms. However, as the disease worsens, symptoms vary by individual and can include:

• Fatigue or weakness
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet
• Changes in urination frequency and urgency
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dry and itchy skin

If you notice symptoms such as these, speak with your primary care provider to get checked for the onset of kidney disease. Lab tests will be used to clinically diagnose CKD and measure kidney function.

Specifically, your doctor will use a blood test to find your glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to diagnose kidney problems. GFR is based on the creatinine levels in a person’s blood. Creatinine is a waste product from the normal breakdown of muscle tissue and protein digestion. Urine tests will also measure your albumin level, the main protein found in blood.

The Early Stages

A normal GFR level with protein in the urine implies stage 1 CKD. There may be no kidney damage at this early stage of the disease. Stage 2 suggests mild kidney damage, but the kidneys are still working well and most people won’t notice symptoms until the next stage of the disease. With proper treatment, it might be possible to slow the loss of kidney function at this point.

The Disease Begins to Affect Kidney Function

Stage 3 kidney disease is where CKD begins to cause complications. Many experience weakness or tiredness, lower back pain, and urinary changes. As a person progresses through stage 3, their kidneys are irreversibly damaged. This is the final point where healthy lifestyle changes may prevent further progression.

The Beginning of Kidney Failure

Stage 4 kidney disease indicates severe kidney damage. The buildup of waste in the blood can lead to other health problems such as heart disease and stroke. Dialysis or a kidney transplant in the future are more likely outcomes if the disease is allowed to progress to this severity.

Stage 5, or end-stage, kidney disease means the kidneys are close to failing or have already done so. New symptoms are skin rashes, frothy or bubbly urine, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant from a matching donor will be required.

What are the Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease?

Anyone can develop kidney disease, but some people are more at risk than others. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, also known as diabetes Type 2, is the number one factor that leads to chronic kidney disease. The second leading contributing factor is high blood pressure.

Other factors can increase risk such as:

• Heart Disease and Other Medical Conditions: Vascular problems and high blood pressure put additional strain on blood vessels and reduce blood flow. Other health problems like polycystic kidney disease or lupus can cause CKD.
• Lifestyle: Obesity can lead to kidney tissue scarring. High alcohol consumption and smoking increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
• Kidney Injury: Damage from an infection or surgery can weaken the organs and lead to a more serious kidney problem like CKD.
• Family History: Having a family history of kidney disease may make it more likely for a patient to develop chronic kidney disease. Genetic factors can play a part.

Preventing Kidney Disease and Slowing Progression

Treating CKD early provides the best hope of reducing serious complications from the disease. Often the treatment options used are focused on attacking the underlying cause of the disease.

For example, if kidney disease is due to uncontrolled blood sugar, your doctor will try to help you address that medical issue. In the same way, patients with out-of-control blood pressure will see the most benefit by taking medication or making lifestyle adjustments to better manage blood pressure.

Let’s examine some of the preventative measures you might take to avoid kidney disease or slow its march.

Maintain Healthy Blood Glucose Levels

If you have diabetes, maintain control of your blood sugar levels as advised by your healthcare provider. Focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Limit refined sugar and processed foods.

Get plenty of exercise and follow up with your doctor so regular blood tests can ensure you’re on the right track. Your primary care provider may prescribe one of several medications to help manage diabetes that will provide long-term benefits to the kidneys as well. SGLT-2 inhibitors, also called flozins, are FDA-approved for chronic kidney disease. They prevent the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose and it is passed out of the body through the urine. GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide have also shown promise in reducing the risk of kidney failure.

Manage Blood Pressure

Monitor blood pressure regularly. Angiotensin receptor blockers, or ACE inhibitors, help the blood vessels relax which may improve blood flow and lead to better kidney activity. Reducing sodium intake is an important goal. Choose healthy food options that are rich in potassium, magnesium, and fiber.

Healthy Life Changes

Even small changes can have a profound impact on kidney health. Regular physical activity through walking, swimming, or resistance training for 30 minutes most days will help to keep your heart pumping and blood flowing.

Avoid smoking as this is a leading factor in a host of health problems. Limit alcohol consumption as drinking excessively has increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Strive to achieve a healthy weight to alleviate stress on your kidneys.

Kidney-Friendly Diet

A diet specifically designed to support kidney health can go a long way toward reducing the likelihood of kidney diseases developing.

Drink plenty of water to help your kidney perform their primary function of filtering out waste. Choose fresh, unprocessed foods and lower your sodium intake. Incorporate more antioxidant-rich foods like berries, leafy greens, and nuts. Choose lean proteins to complete your healthy diet.

Treatment Options for Chronic Kidney Disease

Despite your best efforts and that of your kidney specialist, the preventative steps above may not be enough to stop the progression of chronic kidney disease. If it continues to the point of kidney failure, then there are two potential treatment plans on the horizon – dialysis or a kidney transplant from a matched donor. What do these procedures involve?

The Dialysis Solution

Dialysis is a medical process that replaces the filtering function performed by the kidneys. There are two main methods of performing this filtration of waste and extra fluid from the blood.

• Hemodialysis: In hemodialysis, blood is drawn out of the body into an artificial kidney machine called a dialyzer. The blood is then returned to the body. This process is done about 3 times a week with each session lasting several hours.
• Peritoneal Dialysis: With peritoneal dialysis, a catheter is placed in the abdomen and a special fluid that absorbs waste is pumped into the peritoneal cavity and then drained out. The dialysis method is completed at home multiple times a day or overnight.

Both kinds of dialysis come with potential side effects. Hemodialysis may lead to episodes of low blood pressure or dizziness. Muscle cramps may be felt due to fluid and mineral imbalances. When waste products build in between dialysis sessions, itchy skin may result. Peritoneal dialysis can lead to infection of the peritoneal cavity or hernia because of the catheter placement. The dialysis solution used contains glucose and can introduce weight gain or blood sugar changes.

Kidney Transplant

Another option is to replace the failing kidney organ with a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor. It can take several years of waiting to find an appropriate donor. People who receive a kidney transplant often have a longer life expectancy than those who remain on dialysis.

Potential complications from a transplanted kidney include organ rejection and side effects from necessary medications. Expect regular check-ups to look for signs of rejection and ensure everything performs as it should.

Conclusion

Chronic kidney failure is not reversible. But there are steps you can take to avoid kidney disease in the first place or slow its progression so that it doesn’t advance to more serious levels.

Put in the grunt work to maintain a balanced blood glucose level. Watch your blood pressure and follow the advice of your doctor in taking all your medications. With the right amount of effort and determination, you can look forward to a life with healthy kidneys!