Stage 3 Kidney Disease
Some Important Facts About Stage 3 Kidney Disease
If you have stage 3 kidney disease it is important that you learn as much as you can about the illness so you can combat this disease to the best of your ability. Kidneys play an important role in the body’s functions, they are one of the main methods your body has for eliminating water, salt and other chemicals from your system.
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When someone is thirsty they tend to drink a lot of excess water, or there may be some salt intake, under normal circumstances the kidneys will eliminate this from the body. When the kidneys are not working properly then they cannot remove eliminate the water; this leads to fluid buildup. When there is too much fluid in someone’s system the hands and feet will swell; in addition the fluid can reach the lungs making it very difficult to breath, plus it will put a major strain on the heart. This condition is called edema.
Stage 3 kidney disease usually does not happen overnight. Someone’s kidneys may stop working due to an injury, but they can also stop working because of disease, and sometimes this may happen so slowly that you may not even realize that you have kidney disease. Your best defense against kidney disease is to know what puts you at risk, what the symptoms are, and visiting your doctor on a regular basis.
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Those who have high blood pressure, are diabetic, or have a family history of kidney disease are at high risk for developing this illness. Some of the signs you should look for include,
Swelling in the hands, feet or face,
- Changes in how frequent you urinate, or having to get up at night to use the restroom,
- Lower back pain,
- High blood pressure,
- Dark or foamy urine,
- A burning sensation during urination, or a discharge that causes burning
Once you reach stage 3 kidney disease, which is also known as Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease, you still have options available that can slow the progress of the disease. One of the very first things that you should do would be to see a specialist. Doctors who specialize in kidney disease are known as nephrologists; when seeing this type of doctor you will be evaluated and given a treatment plan that will help to keep your kidneys functioning as long as possible.
Another option you have along with the specialist is to see a dietician. If you eat healthy you will have a better chance of combating stage 3 kidney disease. A dietician will likely recommend that you eliminate as much protein from your diet as possible, as well as minerals like sodium, phosphorous and magnesium, which are all very hard on the kidneys. A healthy diet for those who have stage 3 kidney disease includes fruits, vegetables and grains, and reducing the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat that you consume.
Due to the fact that there is usually another health problem associated with stage 3 kidney disease, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, it is very important that this illness be treated as well. Treating this illness may involve taking steps to lower your blood pressure, such as medication or a change in diet. If you are a diabetic, you may have to go on a strict diet and begin taking insulin. This is the only way you can help to preserve your kidneys. If you let the root cause go untreated, it will continue to damage your kidneys.
If you have any of the symptoms of kidney disease it is essential that you see your healthcare provider for an evaluation. With proper treatment and a healthy lifestyle, you have every chance of maintaining kidney function for many years.