Early Detection and Prevention
Simple laboratory tests such as urinalysis, which looks for protein and blood in the urine, are useful in detecting kidney damage at an early stage. A blood test, the serum creatinine level, is often used as a simple measure of kidney function. It may show a decrease in kidney function long before there are any other signs.
Doctors will often use the serum creatinine test along with other information to calculate the kidneys’ creatinine clearance, or GFR (glomerular filtration rate; it is also called the eGFR or estimated glomerular filtration rate). These results give more accurate information about how much the kidneys are working — specifically, the rate at which the glomeruli are filtering.
Have your blood pressure checked regularly. Uncontrolled high blood
pressure can speed up the natural course of any underlying kidney
disease.
If you suffer from diabetes, make sure that your disease is
under control. A growing number of kidney patients are people with
diabetes.
Be very careful about taking non-prescription medications,
particularly painkillers. It is wise to discuss all over-the-counter
medications with a doctor or pharmacist before they are taken. Certain
other medications, toxins, pesticides and illegal drugs (such as heroin
and cocaine) can also cause kidney damage. Your doctor can explain the
problems associated with long-term use or abuse of these substances.