Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
If your recent blood or urine test confirms a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD), we understand that this news might cause concern and uncertainty. We want to assure you that CKD is often part of the aging process and with proper management, it can often be effectively monitored and treated.
The kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste and excess fluid from your blood. As we age, the efficiency of these organs may gradually decline, leading to a mild decrease in kidney function. Conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can also affect this. It is crucial to understand that not everyone with CKD will experience severe complications or kidney failure.
It is essential to recognize that the kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste and excess fluid from your blood. As we age, the efficiency of these organs may gradually decline, leading to a mild decrease in kidney function. Conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can also affect this. It is crucial to understand that not everyone with CKD will experience severe complications or kidney failure.
The key to managing CKD lies in regular monitoring and making lifestyle adjustments. It is recommended that you have an annual blood test and urine test to assess kidney function and identify any changes over time. These tests will help us track your condition and determine the appropriate course of action if needed. By keeping a close eye on your kidney function through these tests, we can intervene early if necessary, preventing potential complications and ensuring you receive the best care possible.
In addition to annual tests, there are several lifestyle changes that can greatly improve kidney health. Maintaining a balanced diet, staying adequately hydrated, engaging in regular physical activity, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are some of the steps that can positively impact your kidney function and overall well-being.
Please remember that a CKD diagnosis does not necessarily mean that you will face severe health issues. With proper medical supervision and a healthy lifestyle, many people with CKD lead healthy lives and experience minimal impact on their daily activities.
Medicines and Dehydration “Medicine Sick Day Guidance”
Dehydration is due to a loss of fluid from your body. Vomiting, diarrhoea and fever (high temperature, sweats, shaking) can make you dehydrated. If you are sick once or have diarrhoea once, then you are unlikely to become dehydrated. Having two or more episodes of vomiting or diarrhoea or having a prolonged fever can lead to dehydration.
Taking certain medicines when you are dehydrated can result in you developing a more serious illness.
Medicines that make dehydration more likely are:
| Diuretics | Sometimes called “water pills” | eg Furosemide, spironolactone, bendroflumethiazide |
Medicines that can stop your kidneys working if you are dehydrated are:
| ACE inhibitors | Medicine names ending in “pril” | eg Lisinopril, perindopril, ramipril |
| ARBs | Medicine names ending in “sartan” | eg Losartan, candesartan, valsartan |
| NSAIDs | Anti-inflammatory pain killers | eg Ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen |
Medicines that make you more likely to have a side effect called lactic acidosis if dehydrated are:
| Metformin | A medicine for diabetes | |
| SGLT2’s | Medicine names ending in “gliflozin” | eg Canaglifozin, Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin |
Medicine Sick Day Guidance
If you develop a dehydrating illness, then it is important that you discuss your condition with a medical professional. This may be your GP, Nurse or Pharmacist. You may be advised to discontinue taking medications which lower your blood pressure for a short time and a blood test will be arranged to check your kidney function. Remember to keep drinking small amounts of fluid regularly on your sick days too. If you are only passing small amounts of urine you may need admission to hospital and you should alert your GP to this. Please do not delay calling your GP or the out of hours service if your urine output decreases to only small volumes.