Treatment for chronic kidney disease focuses on slowing kidney damage, managing the underlying cause, reducing cardiovascular risks, and treating complications. The appropriate approach depends on kidney function, urine albumin levels, diabetes, blood pressure, cardiovascular health, and the cause of kidney disease.
There is no single treatment that works for every person with CKD. Healthcare professionals consider the underlying cause, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urine albumin levels, blood pressure, diabetes status, and other health conditions.
Treatment may include:
ACE inhibitors and ARBs are commonly used for appropriate patients because they can lower blood pressure, reduce albumin in the urine, and help protect kidney function.
Several medication groups now play an important role in CKD management. SGLT2 inhibitors can help protect kidney and heart health and may be used in selected people with CKD, including some individuals without type 2 diabetes.
Depending on the individual's condition, treatment may include:
Current National Kidney Foundation guidance also identifies SGLT2 inhibitors, nsMRAs, and GLP 1 receptor agonists as therapies that may be considered according to kidney function, diabetes, albuminuria, and cardiovascular risk.
High blood pressure and diabetes are important contributors to kidney damage. Controlling these conditions can help reduce the risk of further kidney function decline.
Important management areas include:
Treatment goals are individualized because factors such as age, frailty, cardiovascular health, and kidney function can affect the appropriate targets.
Lifestyle management is another part of CKD care. The National Kidney Foundation notes that healthy nutrition can help slow disease progression and support overall health, but there is no single diet appropriate for everyone with CKD.
Helpful habits can include:
Medication doses may also need adjustment as kidney function changes because the kidneys help remove many medicines from the body.
When kidney function becomes severely reduced, treatment may eventually require planning for kidney replacement therapy. Options can include dialysis or kidney transplantation for appropriate patients.
Healthcare professionals may discuss:
Early discussions can give patients more time to understand the available choices and prepare for changes in kidney function.
Treatment for chronic kidney disease is personalized and may combine medicines, blood pressure and diabetes management, nutrition, physical activity, regular monitoring, and treatment of complications. Current kidney care increasingly includes medicines such as SGLT2 inhibitors and, for selected patients, nsMRAs and GLP 1 receptor agonists.
The appropriate treatment depends on the cause and stage of CKD, kidney function, urine albumin levels, and other health conditions. People with CKD should work with a qualified healthcare professional to develop and regularly review an individualized treatment plan.