HELLO WELLNESSPrimary Care
Patient Education

Chronic Kidney Disease Management

Chronic kidney disease care focuses on protecting remaining kidney function, controlling blood pressure and diabetes when present, reviewing medications safely, and preventing complications over time.

Seek urgent care for severe shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, very little urine, severe swelling, fainting, severe weakness, or symptoms that feel rapidly worsening.

What does CKD management include?

Chronic kidney disease means the kidneys are damaged or not filtering blood as well as expected. It may be silent early on, so lab monitoring matters. Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, family history, and certain medications can increase risk.

Best practice focus: CKD care includes monitoring eGFR and urine albumin, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, reviewing medications, reducing sodium when appropriate, avoiding kidney-harming medicines when possible, and coordinating nephrology care when needed.

Daily kidney-protection foundations

  • Keep blood pressure and blood sugar within your individualized goals.
  • Review all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and herbal products with your provider.
  • Ask before using NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen, especially if you have CKD, high blood pressure, or heart disease.
  • Stay hydrated appropriately and follow individualized fluid guidance if your provider gives it.

Nutrition and lifestyle

  • Limit sodium when advised; many kidney and blood pressure plans aim for less than 2,300 mg sodium per day.
  • Work with your provider or dietitian before making major protein, potassium, phosphorus, or fluid changes.
  • Choose heart-healthy meals with vegetables, whole grains, and appropriate protein choices based on labs and stage.
  • Avoid tobacco and stay active as tolerated.

How Hello Wellness can help

  • Review kidney labs, blood pressure, diabetes control, medications, supplements, and diet patterns.
  • Order or coordinate monitoring such as eGFR, urine albumin, electrolytes, A1c, and blood pressure follow-up when appropriate.
  • Help prevent medication-related kidney harm through careful medication review.
  • Coordinate nephrology referral when kidney function, urine protein, blood pressure, or complications need specialist support.

When to contact your provider

  • You have new swelling, rising blood pressure, reduced urination, shortness of breath, or worsening fatigue.
  • You are starting a new medicine, supplement, contrast scan, or pain reliever.
  • Your kidney labs changed or urine protein was found.
  • You have diabetes or high blood pressure and are unsure how often kidney monitoring is needed.