Definition

Renal diseases are those that affect the kidney.

Types

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

In CKD, kidneys become damaged and cannot filter blood they way they should. Damage happens over a long period of time.

Risk Factors

  • Age
  • Diabetes
  • Family History of Kidney Failure
  • Heart Disease
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Race/Ethnicity

Prevention

  • Eat a healthy diet (with less than 2,300 mg of Sodium per day)
  • Exercise
  • Limit alcohol intake
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Manage diabetes
  • Manage high blood pressure
  • Quit smoking
  • Reduce stress
  • Sleep

Vaccinations

Kidney disease can make it harder to fight off certain diseases, make it more likely complications to those diseases will follow, or increase the risk of a heart attack. The CDC recommends all adults receive:

  • Influenza – recommended every year, age 6 months and older
  • Tdap – (if an adult did not receive it as an adolescent to protect against pertussis (whooping cough), and then a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years.

Additionally, the CDC recommends the following vaccines for adults suffering from kidney disease (talk to your doctor about which vaccines are right for you):

Renal Disease and COVID-19

From The National Kidney Foundation:

People with kidney disease and other severe chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for more severe illness.

People on dialysis can have weaker immune systems, making it harder to fight infections. However, it is important to know that kidney patients need to continue with their regularly scheduled dialysis treatments and to take necessary precautions as recommended by their healthcare team.

People with a kidney transplant need to take anti-rejection medicines (also known as immunosuppressive medicines). These medicines work by keeping the immune system less active, which can make it harder to fight infections. It is important to keep taking these medicines. It is also important to wash hands, maintain good hygiene and follow the recommendations from their healthcare team.

National Kidney Foundation

Resources