What Is Kidney Failure?

Can damaged kidneys be repaired?

No, you can’t repair or reverse kidney damage once you develop CKD. But proper treatment can slow it down and keep your kidneys working as long as possible.

How is kidney failure treated?

Healthcare providers can’t cure kidney failure. If you have end-stage kidney disease, you need treatment to keep you alive. The two main treatments for kidney failure are:

In some cases, you may choose not to do dialysis or seek a kidney transplant. You may opt for conservative treatment. It focuses on managing your symptoms and quality of life rather than adding more time.

If your kidneys gradually decline, providers may use a few different methods to track your health and keep your kidneys working as long as possible. These include:

• Regular blood tests
• Blood pressure checks
• Medications
• Changes to what you eat and drink

What medications treat kidney failure?

There are no medications that can treat kidney failure. But they can help slow down the progression of CKD or manage symptoms of kidney disease. Depending on the cause of your kidney disease, your healthcare provider may prescribe one or more of the following medications:

• ACE inhibitors, ARBs or other classes of blood pressure medications to help lower your blood pressure
• Diuretics to help remove extra fluid from your body
• Statins to help lower your cholesterol levels
• Erythropoietin-stimulating agents and iron supplements to help build red blood cells if you have anemia
• Vitamin D and calcium to help prevent bone loss
• Phosphate binders to help remove extra phosphorus from your blood

Can you recover from end-stage kidney failure?

You can’t reverse kidney disease or kidney failure. But with proper treatment, many people continue to live fulfilling lives. However, you’ll need treatment for the rest of your life.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

For most people, you should get annual kidney function testing with your primary care provider. But you may need testing more often according to your medical history. Your provider will let you know whether your kidney numbers are normal based on your blood test results.

You should see a provider if you have any symptoms of kidney disease. Let them know if:

• Anyone in your biological family has kidney disease
• You take NSAIDs often
• You’ve had kidney problems in the past

If they diagnose you with kidney disease, schedule an appointment with a kidney specialist (nephrologist). They can recommend the best treatment for you.

During your appointment, you may wish to ask:

• What’s the cause of my kidney failure?
• Do I need dialysis?
• What kind of dialysis do you recommend?
• Am I a good candidate for a kidney transplant?
• What medications do you recommend?
• Should I make any changes to what I eat?
• How often should I come in for treatment?

Originally published at https://my.clevelandclinic.org.