How to Heal Kidney Damage

When your kidneys are healthy they perform a variety of important functions. For instance, they regulate the fluids in your body; maintain balance of your sodium, potassium and phosphorus, and filter toxins and waste from your blood. However, problems like high blood pressure, diabetes or cardiovascular disease can damage your kidneys causing kidney damage. Fortunately, there are treatments and things you can do to heal your kidneys and prevent further damage.

Instructions

How to Heal Kidney Damage

1

Know the symptoms. You can experience painful urination, puffy eyes, increased thirst and an increased need to urinate---especially at night. You may notice your urine is either dark pink urine, which can indicate blood in your urine, or foamy urine. In addition, you may feel weak or fatigued.

2

Understand your risk. In addition to diseases, such as diabetes, other diseases like lupus can also harm your kidneys. Overuse of NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen and other painkillers can harm your kidneys. Other risk factors include obesity, low birth weight, ethnicity or being over 60 years old, all of which can contribute to kidney damage. Get tested if you're in any of these groups. Early detection can heal damage faster, according to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF).

3

Treat the underlying cause. According to Yahoo Health, if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, you and your doctor can develop a plan to control your blood glucose levels. Your doctor may recommend an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) or ACE inhibitor, to control your blood pressure. Dehydration from illnesses like vomiting or diarrhea can cause kidney damage. Thus, your doctor will treat your dehydration.

4

Make lifestyle changes. Improve your diet to heal your kidney damage. Your diet should include the appropriate amount of protein, fluids and sodium. According to NKF, this should include moderate protein consumption and a reduction of salt. In addition, you need to exercise. You want to reach for a goal of at least two-and-a-half hours per week, according to Yahoo Health. Other lifestyle changes you can make to heal kidney damage is control your weight, maintain low cholesterol levels and have a physical exam every year.