Stage 4 Kidney Disease Diet

Can Stage 4 Kidney Disease Be Reversed

Stage 4 kidney disease cannot be reversed, but you can do different things to help slow disease progression. For people with CKD, its crucial to control any other health issues you may have, treat any potential complications of kidney disease, and manage or prevent heart disease.

Talk to your doctor about creating an exercise plan that fits your personalized needs as a stage 4 CKD patient.

In addition to following a kidney-healthy diet and the high blood pressure medications above, its advisable to make lifestyle modifications, such as:

• Maintain a healthy weight, including losing weight if you are overweight.
• Cut down on the amount of sodium in your diet.
• Monitor your blood sugar, follow your diet, and take your medications as prescribed if you have diabetes.
• Exercise regularly, if possible.
• Quit smoking if you are a smoker. Do not start smoking if you arent a smoker.

What Measures Kidney Function

All of the kidney disease stages are measured by a lab value called creatinine clearance. It tells how much creatinine is excreted by the kidneys into the urine.

Creatinine is a waste that is produced from the everyday wear and tear of the muscles.

Since the kidneys are responsible for eliminating wastes, the creatinine clearance can indicate the health of the kidneys.

Be Mindful Of Protein

When you eat protein, your body produces waste thats filtered through your kidneys. While protein is an important part of a healthy diet, eating more protein than you need to may cause your kidneys to work harder. Although there needs to be more research on the effects of a high-protein diet on overall kidney health, your doctor will likely recommend a lower-protein diet if you already have CKD. Having too much protein can cause waste to build up in your blood, and your kidneys may not be able to remove it, Maruschak says.

People with any stage of CKD who arent on dialysis should limit their protein intake to 0.6 to 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight to reduce kidney disease progression, Maruschak says. For example, a person who weighs 150 pounds would need 40 to 54 grams of protein per day, which is about 4 to 6 ounces of protein from animal or plant sources, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Be sure to speak with an RD to determine the right amount of protein for you.

Whether or not youve been diagnosed with CKD, it can help to opt for healthier protein sources and watch your portion sizes. Good sources of protein include:

• Lean meat, fish, or skinless poultry
• Beans, chickpeas, lentils, peas

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S To Take At Stage 4 Kidney Disease

• Follow a kidney-friendly dietLearning how to eat well with kidney disease is key to keeping your kidneys working longer. If you’re not already working with a dietitian, ask your doctor or nephrologist for a referral. A dietitian can help you choose kidney-friendly foods and beverages.
• See a nephrologistIf youre not already seeing a kidney doctor , ask your primary care doctor for a referral. A nephrologist specializes in kidney disease and is the most qualified to guide your CKD treatment. He or she will examine your lab tests, talk to you about managing your kidney health, and help you determine which treatment best fits your lifestyle. You’ll continue to see your regular doctor to monitor your overall health and any other existing conditions.
• Start building your support networkReach out to people who care about you and can encourage you. Your family, friends, and doctor will want to support you and help you stay motivated.
• Learn about your potential treatment optionsNow is a good time to start learning all you can about your potential treatment options in case of kidney failure. Ask your doctor about peritoneal dialysis, in-center or home hemodialysis, and a kidney transplant. It’s important to find a treatment option that best fits your lifestyle.
• Choose a dialysis access typeIf you’re considering dialysis, talk to your doctor about your options for dialysis access and how to get your access placed.

Stage 4 Kidney Disease Diet

Diet for kidney disease depends on other conditions, such as diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider about diet or ask for a referral to a dietician.

In general, a diet for kidney disease should:

• prioritize fresh foods over processed products
• have smaller portions of meat, poultry, and fish
• involve moderate to no alcohol consumption
• limit cholesterol, saturated fats, and refined sugars

Phosphorus levels can be too high or too low, so its important to go by your latest bloodwork. Foods that are high in phosphorus include:

• bran cereal, whole wheat bread, and pasta
• salt substitutes
• meat, poultry, pork, and fish

Be sure to discuss your diet at every appointment with your healthcare provider. You may have to make adjustments after reviewing your latest tests.

Talk to your healthcare provider about which, if any, dietary supplements you should take and whether or not you should change fluid intake.

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When Should You See A Kidney Doctor

A kidney doctor is known as a nephrologist. These healthcare professionals are experts in renal health. They provide medical advice as well as diagnose, treat and manage kidney problems and CKD.

A nephrologist is often referred by your primary medical doctor when your labs indicate kidney health may be compromised.

People who do not have kidney issues should see a kidney specialist when they have the following signs and symptoms:

• Get a lot of urinary tract infections
• Recurring kidney stones
• An inherited condition that leads to kidney disease
• A lot of blood in the urine
• A lot of protein in the urine
• Recurring kidney stones

People in stage 4 CKD are typically seeing this doctor at least every three months. They will monitor labs and manage any underlying conditions you may also have.

If you have not yet seen a kidney doctor your primary doctor and/or insurance company can refer you to a local nephrologist.

Effects Of Dapagliflozin On Egfr Slopes

shows least squares mean change in eGFR slope in the stage 4 CKD dapagliflozin and placebo groups: total slope 2.15 and 3.38 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year, corresponding to a between-groups difference of 1.23 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year . The acute decline in eGFR was more pronounced in patients treated with dapagliflozin compared with placebo: acute decline 2.10 and 0.68 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per 2 weeks , whereas the chronic slopes were 1.33 and 3.16 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year, corresponding to a between-groups difference of 1.82 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year .

LS mean change in eGFR over the study in those with baseline stage 4 or stages 2/3 CKD. On the basis of the two-slope model. Total slopes : stage 4 CKD, dapagliflozin 2.15 , placebo 3.38 stage 2/3 CKD, dapagliflozin 2.98 , placebo 3.87 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year. Chronic slope : stage 4 CKD, dapagliflozin 1.33 , placebo 3.68 stage 2/3 CKD, dapagliflozin 1.73 , placebo 3.68 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year. Acute slope : stage 4 CKD, dapagliflozin 2.10 , placebo 0.68 stage 2/3 CKD, dapagliflozin 3.19 , placebo 0.64 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per two weeks. Stage 4 CKD, eGFR< 30 ml/min per 1.73 m2 stages 2/3 CKD, eGFR 30 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Error bars indicate SEM. LS, least squares SEM, standard error of the mean.

The magnitude of benefit of dapagliflozin on the total eGFR slope was similar in patients with stage 4 CKD at baseline compared with patients with stages 2/3 CKD at baseline .

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Limit Phosphorus And Calcium

You need these minerals to keep your bones healthy and strong. When your kidneys are healthy, they remove the phosphorus you donât need. But if you have CKD, your phosphorus levels can get too high. This puts you at risk for heart disease. Whatâs more, your calcium levels begin to drop. To make up for it, your body pulls it from your bones. This can make them weak and easier to break.

If you have late-stage CKD, your doctor may advise you to get no more than 1,000 milligrams of phosphorus mineral each day. You can do this by:

• Choosing foods with low levels of phosphorus
• Eating more fresh fruits and veggies
• Choosing corn and rice cereals
• Drinking light-colored sodas
• Cutting back on meat, poultry, and fish
• Limiting dairy and processed foods

Foods that are high in calcium also tend to be high in phosphorus. The doctor might suggest you cut back on calcium-rich foods. Dairy foods that are lower in phosphorus include:

• Brie or Swiss cheese
• Regular or low-fat cream cheese or sour cream

The doctor might also tell you to stop taking over-the-counter calcium supplements and suggest a phosphorus binder, a medicine that controls your phosphorus levels.

Reduction In Red Blood Cells

Having too few red blood cells is also a problem that arises from unmanaged kidney disease. Known as anemia, this condition has many root causes. However, most times those with CKD, have it due to a lack of erythropoietin.

This hormone helps make red blood cells. It is released by the kidneys so when the kidneys are in bad shape there will be a decrease in the production of erythropoietin. The only problem is that the less of this hormone means the more likely someone will have not enough red blood cells and will develop anemia.

If left untreated anemia can lead to heart disease. Red blood cells are needed to deliver oxygen to the brain so a decrease in these cells can also affect brain function and increase the risk of stroke in those with CKD.

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What Is Stage 4 Kidney Disease

Stage 1 and stage 2 are considered early-stage chronic kidney disease. The kidneys arent working at 100 percent, but they still work well enough that you might not have symptoms.

By stage 3, youve lost about half of kidney function, which can lead to more serious problems.

If you have stage 4 kidney disease, it means your kidneys have experienced severe damage. You have a glomerular filtration rate, or GFR, of 1529 ml/min. Thats the amount of blood your kidneys can filter per minute.

GFR is determined by measuring the amount of creatinine, a waste product, in your blood. The formula also takes age, sex, ethnicity, and body size into account. The kidneys are functioning at 1529 percent of normal.

GFR may not be accurate in certain circumstances, such as if you:

Other tests that help determine the stage are:

• bloods tests to look for other waste products
• urine test to look for the presence of blood or protein
• imaging tests to check the structure of the kidneys

Stage 4 is the last stage before kidney failure, or stage 5 kidney disease.

In stage 4, symptoms may include:

• fluid retention

If your potassium levels get too high , it can affect your hearts ability to function.

Other potential complications include:

If youre pregnant, kidney disease can increase risks to you and to your baby.

What Causes Kidney Disease In Dogs

âThe most common reason for kidney disease is age-related loss of function,â Dr. Emily Singler, VMD, Fetch by The Dodoâs on-staff veterinarian, says.

Kidneys are made of small filtering units, which filter substances out of the blood and urine, Dr. Singler explains. However, as a dog ages, the filtering units, known as nephrons, can stop working effectively.

With the loss of some nephrons, dogsâ kidneys can still function, but when too many stop working, the kidneys canât filter blood as well. Because of this, toxins that are usually filtered enter the bloodstream, leading to sickness.

Without adequate nephron function, the kidneys canât conserve water, leading to dehydration, despite dogs consuming a lot of water. Unfortunately, CKD is irreversible and will continue to worsen over time.

Acute kidney disease , which can happen when a dog consumes toxins , can be cured if caught early and treated aggressively in the hospital. But if too much damage has occurred, it can lead to CKD.

Itâs important to be cautious about vitamin D toxicity in dogs, Dr. Singler adds. Rodent bait or any human supplements usually have this ingredient, which can cause acute kidney disease.

And keep your dog from eating antibiotics, anti-inflammatory or heart medications and medicine to treat infections like leptospirosis, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever or urinary tract infections .

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What Is Stage 4 Ckd

In stage 4 chronic kidney disease , the level of kidney damage you have ranges from moderate to severe, and your kidneys are definitively not working properly. Stage 4 CKD is the final stage before kidney failure, which means you must start to prepare for the need for dialysis treatment and/or a kidney transplant.

What Should I Know About Potassium If I Follow A Renal Diet

Potassium is a mineral involved in how muscles work. When your kidneys dont work properly, potassium builds up in your blood. This can cause changes in how your heart beats and possibly even lead to a heart attack.

Potassium is found mainly in fruits and vegetables, as well as milk and meats. Youll need to avoid certain fruits and vegetables and limit the amount of others.

Potassium-rich foods to avoid

• Salt substitutes or lite salt.

Canned fruits

Canned fruits usually have lower amounts of potassium than fresh ones. Be sure to pour off the juice before you eat the fruit.

Potatoes and sweet potatoes

Potatoes and sweet potatoes need special handling to allow you to eat them in small amounts. Peel them, cut them into small slices or cubes and soak them for several hours in a large amount of water.

When youre ready to cook them, pour the soaking water off and use a large amount of water in the pan. Drain this water before you prepare them to eat.

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Seeing A Doctor When You Have Stage 4 Ckd

At stage 4, its necessary to see a nephrologist . The nephrologist examines the patient and orders lab tests to gather information to recommend treatment.

People in stage 4 CKD will usually visit their doctor at least every three months. Blood tests for creatinine, hemoglobin, potassium, calcium and phosphorus levels will be done to see how well the kidneys are working. The doctor will also monitor other conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. In addition to helping the patient keep their kidneys working as long as possible, the nephrologist will also help prepare the patient for dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Choose Complex Carbs Over Simple Carbs

Carbohydrates are your bodys main source of energy, and those that occur naturally in fresh foods are filled with fiber to support heart and gut health and keep your blood sugar levels steady. However, simple carbs such as added sugars in desserts, sweetened beverages, and many packaged foods can spike blood sugar and increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

As part of an overall healthy diet, you should limit sweets and foods with added sugars , says Maruschak. Healthier carbohydrate choices include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, and lentils.

If you have diabetes and are on insulin, you may need to be even more careful about your carbohydrate intake. It is likely that people will need to count carbohydrates at meal times so they can dose their insulin correctly, says Maruschak.

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End Stage Of Kidney Disease

At the end of your pets bout with kidney disease, hell likely have lost a great deal of his kidney function. His body will no longer be able to adequately process the toxins that it typically would have been able to. Unfortunately, the prognosis at the end stage of kidney function is very poor it is typically only a matter of stabilizing yourcats system to allow him to die in a peaceful and comfortable manner.

End stage kidney disease is represented with a few distinctive symptoms. In addition to the various other symptoms that will accompany decreased kidney function throughout the earlier stages of the disease , watch out for these end stage kidney disease symptoms:

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What Should I Know About Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease

A person with stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease has advanced kidney damage with a severe decrease in the glomerular filtration rate to 15-30 ml/min. It is likely someone with stage 4 CKD will need dialysis or a kidney transplant in the near future.

As kidney function declines, waste products build up in the blood causing a condition known as uremia. In stage 4, a person is likely to develop complications of kidney disease such as high blood pressure, anemia , bone disease, heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases.

Symptoms of stage 4 kidney disease

Symptoms that are experienced in stage 4 include:

• Fluid retention, swelling of extremities and shortness of breath
• Urination changes
• Kidney pain felt in their back
• Sleep problemsdue to muscle cramps or restless legs
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Taste changes such as a metallic taste in the mouth
• Bad breath due to urea buildup in the blood
• Loss of appetite: People may not feel like eating due to nausea or other symptoms caused by waste buildup in the blood
• Difficulty in concentrating: Having trouble doing everyday things such as balancing a checkbook or focusing on reading the newspaper can occur.
• Nerve problems: Numbness or tingling in the toes or fingers is a symptom of CKD.

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Reduce Your Potassium Intake

This mineral helps your nerves and muscles work properly. But when you have CKD, your body canât filter out extra potassium. When you have too much of it in your blood, it can lead to serious heart problems.

Potassium is found in a lot of fruits and veggies, like bananas, potatoes, avocados, oranges, cooked broccoli, raw carrots, greens , tomatoes, and melons. These foods can affect potassium levels in your blood. Your doctor will let you know if you need to limit this mineral in your diet. If so, they may recommend you try low-potassium foods, like:

• Apples and apple juice

As your CKD gets worse, you may need to make other changes to your diet. This might involve cutting back on foods that are high in protein, especially animal protein. These include meats, seafood, and dairy products. You may also need extra iron. Talk to your doctor about which iron-rich foods you can eat when you have CKD.