WHAT CAN I DO TO LOWER THE RISK OF KIDNEY DISEASE? 

If concerned about your kidney health - take the check my kidneys online test to find out if you are at increased risk of kidney disease.

You can lower your risk of CKD and other chronic diseases!
Lifestyle diseases, like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions can cause damage to your kidneys. Significant evidence indicates being overweight or obese, not getting enough physical activity, smoking, harmful alcohol consumption and unhealthy eating - are major risk factors for many chronic diseases.

It is never too late to make positive changes to your lifestyle
 
Eating well and keeping active can improve long term health and help to maintain good kidney function.


To protect your kidneys, these tips can help:

• Be aware of your family medical history - if close blood family relatives have had kidney disease or other chronic disease, you may be 'at risk' too? Ask what their health problems were and be aware of the risk.
  
  
• If you are at 'increased risk' of developing kidney disease - ask your GP for a kidney health check.
  
   
• Maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
  
  
• Eat a healthy diet full of fresh fruit and vegetables.
  
  
• Maintain healthy weight for your height - being overweight increases your risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure which are major risk factors for kidney disease. Be aware of your Body Mass Index (BMI). Low Glycaemic index (GI) foods - enter < 55)
  
  
• Be a non-smoker - smokers are 3 times more likely to have reduced kidney function, and 4 to 5 times greater risk of heart attack and stroke!
  
  
• Make physical activity a regular habit - 30 minutes of regular moderate-intensity physical activity.
  
  
• Drink water instead - water satisfies thirst without any calories or kilojoules.
  
  
• Drink alcohol in moderation - limit alcohol to 2 standard drinks per day for men, 1 per day for women.
  
  
• If you have diabetes, maintain good blood glucose control.
  
  
• Taking medications as prescribed by your doctor.
  
  
• Maintain a positive 'stay well' attitude, do things that help you to relax and reduce stress.
  

Further Reading: Fact Sheets> - Recommended weblinks - Organ Donation


Links to external resources: Better Health Channel - Healthier Living Tests for Kidney Disease

Check your Diet - Healthy Diet Calculators

Smart Eating For You - Dietitians Association of Australia 

Rehabilitation, Fitness & Exercise and kidney disease - NKF USA

For people with Chronic Kidney Disease: 

Exercise for people with chronic kidney disease  I  Exercise for dialysis patients – Of course, you can exercise 

Indoor exercises for people on dialysis  I  Frequently Asked Questions  I  Resources in other languages

UPDATED 12 MAY 2013

Disclaimer: Information provided is intended as an introduction to this topic and not meant to substitute for your doctor's or health professional's advice. All care is taken to ensure this information is relevant and applicable to each Australian state. Kidney Health Australia recognises each person's experience is individual and variations do occur in treatment and management due to personal circumstances. Consult a healthcare professional for specific treatment recommendations.