How to effectively manage stage 3 CKD?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 58 years old, and my doctor recently informed me that I have stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD). I do not feel physically unwell yet, but I am now genuinely worried about how serious this condition is.

What causes chronic kidney disease, and can it improve over time, or does it only get worse?
What foods should I avoid to help protect my kidneys and possibly slow down the progression of the disease?
Also, how will I know if I will eventually need dialysis? Are there signs I should be watching for?

Kindly help me understand what I should expect and how to manage this diagnosis moving forward.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and can understand your concern.

Causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD): Several factors can contribute to the development of CKD, including:

Diabetes mellitus.
High blood pressure (hypertension).
Heart disease.
Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (NSAID – anti-inflammatory/analgesic).
Family history of kidney disease.

Certain infections can also play a role in the development of CKD.

Can CKD be reversed?

Chronic kidney disease is usually progressive, meaning it tends to worsen over time. CKD can stabilize and never require dialysis.

I would suggest certain foods to avoid:

To reduce the workload on your kidneys and preserve their function:

Limit sodium
Moderate protein intake.
Avoid excess phosphorus.
Limit potassium (if levels are high).
Stay hydrated.

I suggest the following investigations be done:

KFT (Kidney Function Test).
Blood Pressure Monitoring (BP).
Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS).
Serum Electrolytes (S/E).
eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate).
Serum Creatinine.
Urine Protein (Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio).

Follow-up: Please follow up regularly with your test reports and monitor for any symptoms or changes in health.

Please consult your nephrologist for a personalized treatment and monitoring plan.

I hope this helps.