Kidney failure can be not just an injury but a deadly one. Prevention of kidney failure is key and one of the major ways of preventing kidney failure is to avoid kidney disease. Preventing kidney disease is all about early detection, early detection will slow down the occurrence of kidney failure. It’s best to avoid kidney failure at all costs, preventing the course of kidney disease could very well prevent the need for a kidney transplant or dialysis.

A few of the main reasons why people develop kidney disease is high blood pressure and diabetes. In fact over two thirds of the cases of kidney disease are caused due to those two things. If you take proper precautions and manage your blood pressure and diabetes properly with medications, exercise and diet you can prevent kidney failure. What’s most important is to make sure that you keep your kidneys functioning as best as possible.

Do You Know Your Risks For Kidney Disease?

Now that we know that high blood pressure and diabetes can be a contributing factor for kidney disease  you need to know where you stand with your risks. First, you need to ask yourself whether you have diabetes or high blood pressure? If you do, next is asking whether you have them under control?

Another question to ask yourself or even your family members is whether or not kidney disease, diabetes and hypertension run in your family. There are certain ethnic groups that are at a higher risk of having chronic kidney disease such as Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, African-Americans and Hispanics. Not only are certain ethnic groups at risk but also senior citizens.

Make Sure To Be Tested Regularly

If you haven’t had the following tests done, make sure to do so at your next checkup:

• Creatinine Test. It measures the amount of waste from muscle activity. Your creatinine rises when your kidneys aren’t working.
• Urine Test. It will show whether or not you have an excess of glucose, protein or blood in your urine.
• Blood Pressure Reading. It will show whether your blood pressure elevated at all.
• Fasting Blood Glucose Test. It will determine whether you have too much sugar in your blood. A haemoglobin A1C can also be used to determine diabetes. It can show what your glucose level has been for the past few months.

Once these tests are taken, if they show up abnormal it is important for your health care provider to continue doing more tests to determine what the problem is exactly.

Controlling Your Diabetes

If you have diabetes it is important for you to work with your doctor to make sure that your blood sugar levels under control. This can be done with regular exercise and a good diet, as well as glucose monitoring. Certain medications can also help control blood sugar and ensure that you have the protection you need against kidney failure.

Controlling Your High Blood Pressure

It’s important to keep your blood pressure within certain target ranges. Again proper diet, exercise and medications can help with that.