How can i improve my gfr

This excess water and waste become urine. Kidneys process about 50 gallons liters of blood every day to produce about 50 ounces 1.

When the filtration rate decreases that means the kidneys are not working well and may mean there is kidney damage [ 2 ]. GFR is affected by many factors, such as [ 1 ]:. Instead, scientists have developed a formula to estimate the value indirectly. The most widely used eGFR equation was developed in the year and modified in Creatinine is a waste product created from the normal wear and tear of muscles.

Kidneys filter remove almost all of the creatinine from the blood. Because muscle mass changes little from day to day, creatinine production and disposal rates are fairly constant. When kidney filtration rate decreases, blood levels of creatinine increase. Many laboratories will automatically report eGFR when creatinine is tested [ 3 ].

Why is eGFR a better measure of kidney function than creatinine, or other kidney-associated markers such as BUN blood urea nitrogen? Mainly, because it is more sensitive. Because creatinine is derived from muscles, conditions that affect them will also affect eGFR calculated using the most widely used formula. People with wasting disease, obesity, amputees, and paraplegics require alternative ways to obtain eGFR.

So do those younger than 18 and pregnant women. For bodybuilders, high muscle mass may lead to an underestimation of eGFR [ 8 ]. To address this issue, newer equations have been developed linking eGFR to another marker of kidney function, cystatin C. For most people with chronic disease, positive lifestyle changes may help slow the loss of kidney function.

Some studies have shown that GFR may increase over time in people at all stages of kidney disease by:. Here are other things you can do to help reduce further damage to your kidneys. A balanced diet can go a long way in protecting your kidneys. Some foods put more strain on the kidneys and are best avoided, especially if you have known kidney damage. These include foods high in potassium, phosphorous, and sodium, like:.

Getting regular exercise and keeping your blood pressure in check can help protect your kidneys. High blood pressure can damage the delicate structures in your kidneys.

Controlling your blood sugar is key to avoiding kidney damage. This is especially true if you have diabetes. Drinking enough water is good advice for anyone, but it can also help your kidney health. Kidney experts recommend that you drink enough water to make around 2 liters of urine per day. Dehydration concentrates your urine, which can cause damage. Exactly how much water you should drink is up for debate , and clinical studies are still investigating just how much water it would take to help your kidneys.

They have shown that any benefit is only seen with plain water, not sweetened drinks. There are other cases where you may need to limit how much water you drink. If you have severe kidney disease, your doctor may place you on a fluid restriction. This is because your kidneys are less effective at removing extra water from your body. The extra fluid can lead to swelling and edema , and may need to be removed by other means, like hemodialysis.

A number of medications can impair or cause damage to the kidneys. Your doctor can determine the best course of action in terms of stopping these medications or replacing them with a different kind of medication. Kidney disease can develop slowly over time, but some symptoms may be a sign that something is wrong. These include:. Talk with your doctor about your risks for kidney disease, or any family history of kidney problems.

Many times, people are diagnosed with kidney disease when routine lab work is done for another reason. Your doctor may ask you to make some changes to support your kidney health. From kidney disease basics to treatment options and patient stories, watch videos that will help you learn more about kidney disease.

Download Now. Take control of your kidney health. Attend a no-cost virtual class online or via telephone from the comfort of home , or find an in-person class where available. Share Print. Take a Deeper Look at Education. Kidney Disease Boost your knowledge by understanding the symptoms, risk factors and stages of kidney disease. Life with Kidney Disease Find out how you can partner with your nephrologist, gain emotional support and continue to live well after a kidney disease diagnosis.

Education Videos From kidney disease basics to treatment options and patient stories, watch videos that will help you learn more about kidney disease. Kidney Care Vocabulary Discover the definitions behind common—and not-so common—kidney care terms. Additional Resources Get connected to a variety of kidney care information and helpful resources. Remember Me. Don't have an account? Join the myDaVita community to connect with others, get kidney diet tools and more.

Register for Free. Help Center. Healthy kidneys or kidney damage with normal or high GFR. Moderate decrease in GFR.