Chronic Kidney Disease

There are many things you can do at home to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.

Lifestyle changes

• Keep your blood pressure below 130/80. Learn to check your blood pressure at home. For more information, see:

  High blood pressure: Checking your blood pressure at home.

• If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. For more information, see:

  Diabetes: Checking your blood sugar.

• Stay at a healthy weight. This can also reduce your risk for coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. For more information, see the topic Weight Management.
• Follow an eating plan for kidney disease. Talk with a dietitian to determine how much protein you need each day. Studies have shown that a low-protein diet may help lower the risk of kidney damage. For more information, see:

  Chronic kidney disease: Changing your diet.

• Make exercise a routine part of your life. Try to do at least 2½ hours a week of moderate exercise.⁴ One way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week. It's fine to be active in blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout your day and week. Work with your doctor to design an exercise program that is right for you. Exercise may lower your risk for diabetes and high blood pressure, which can lead to kidney disease.

What to avoid

• Avoid taking medications that can harm your kidneys. Be sure that your doctor knows about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medicines you are taking.
• Avoid dehydration by promptly treating illnesses, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or fever, that cause it. Be especially careful when you exercise or during hot weather. For more information, see the topic Dehydration.
• Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. Smoking can lead to atherosclerosis, which reduces blood flow to the kidneys and increases blood pressure. For more information on how to quit, see the topic Quitting Smoking.
• Do not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs.
• Avoid products containing magnesium, such as antacids like Mylanta or Milk of Magnesia. These products increase your risk of developing abnormally high levels of magnesium (hypermagnesemia), and they may cause vomiting and/or diarrhea.