Patient Education
Trusted, plain-language guides. Each topic opens a resource from the National Kidney Foundation (kidney.org) in a new tab.
Your kidneys are two bean shaped organs, each about the size of a fist, that filter roughly 200 quarts of blood every day to remove waste and extra fluid. This resource explains how that filtering process works and why keeping the kidneys healthy protects the rest of the body.
Chronic kidney disease means the kidneys have lost some of their ability to filter blood and remove waste, and it is diagnosed when reduced function or damage lasts more than three months. Because CKD often has no symptoms in its early stages, routine blood and urine tests are usually how it is first found. This overview explains what CKD is, why it happens, and why catching it early matters.
A new CKD diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but a handful of concrete steps make the biggest difference early on, including knowing your kidney numbers, keeping blood pressure in a healthy range, reviewing medications with your doctor, and understanding the link between kidney and heart health. This guide walks through those first steps in plain language so you know what to focus on right away.
High blood pressure and kidney disease often feed each other: uncontrolled blood pressure can narrow and damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, and damaged kidneys can in turn make blood pressure harder to control. This resource explains that cycle and why steady blood pressure control is one of the most effective ways to protect kidney function.
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease in the United States, because years of high blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels that filter blood inside the kidneys. This resource explains how diabetic kidney disease develops, how it is detected early through urine testing, and what steps help slow it down.
Kidney stones form when certain minerals and salts crystallize in concentrated urine, and diet is one of the most effective tools for lowering the chance of a new stone. This resource offers practical, everyday habits, such as fluid intake and food choices, that can help prevent kidney stones from forming or recurring.
Dialysis is a treatment that takes over the kidneys' job of filtering waste and extra fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do it well enough on their own. This overview introduces the two main types of dialysis, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, and what each involves.
When kidney failure requires treatment, patients generally choose between hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, kidney transplant, and in some cases conservative, non-dialysis management. This resource walks through what goes into that decision, including lifestyle, health history, and personal preference, so patients can talk it through with their care team.
Hemodialysis uses a machine and a special filter, called a dialyzer, to clean the blood outside the body, then returns the filtered blood to the patient. This resource explains how a typical hemodialysis treatment works and what to expect, whether it is done at a dialysis center or at home.
Peritoneal dialysis filters the blood inside the body, using the lining of the abdomen and a special fluid that is exchanged through a soft tube. This resource describes how peritoneal dialysis works and the two main ways it can be done.
Home dialysis lets patients perform hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in their own home, on a schedule that can be more flexible than in center treatment. This resource covers what home dialysis involves, the training patients receive, and questions worth asking before choosing it.
What you eat can directly affect how hard your kidneys have to work, and the right diet changes as CKD progresses. This guide covers general nutrition principles for people with kidney disease who are not yet on dialysis, including guidance on protein, sodium, and other nutrients to watch.
When kidneys are not filtering well, potassium can build up in the blood to levels that affect the heart, so some patients are advised to limit high potassium foods. This resource explains which foods tend to be higher in potassium and how a kidney friendly diet manages potassium intake.
Oxalate is a natural compound found in many healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains, and some kidney stone patients are told to watch their oxalate intake. Because oxalate needs vary by individual, and a strict low oxalate diet is not the right approach for everyone, this is a topic best discussed directly with your care team rather than followed from a general list.
As kidney function declines, phosphorus can build up in the blood and, over time, pull calcium out of the bones, so many patients with CKD are advised to watch their phosphorus intake. This resource explains which foods are higher in phosphorus and practical ways to manage it as part of a kidney friendly diet.
Too much sodium can raise blood pressure and cause the body to hold onto extra fluid, both of which put additional strain on the kidneys. This resource offers practical tips for lowering sodium in everyday cooking without giving up flavor.
Kidney disease often means managing several prescriptions, and the cost can add up quickly. This resource lists discount cards, copay assistance programs, and other resources that can help lower out of pocket medication costs.
