This post is part of our ongoing blog series about proteinuria. In this post, we’ll focus on proteinuria management and proteinuria treatment—specifically, we’ll cover effective treatments, medications, and lifestyle changes.
Medications for proteinuria that we’ll bring your attention are:
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
- Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
- Immunosuppressive Medications
- Diuretics
From there, we’ll proceed to give you a list of recommended lifestyle changes for successful proteinuria management, including:
- Maintaining a Healthy Diet
- Hydration
- Regular Exercise
- Avoiding Kidney Stressors
The third section of this post will address the following dietary recommendations that can promote kidney function:
- Reducing Protein Intake
- Limiting Salt Intake
- Monitoring Phosphorus and Potassium
We’ll culminate the post by stressing the importance of regular check-ups and proteinuria monitoring. Once you finish reading, we hope that you’ll feel empowered to take charge of your kidney health. By following our recommended treatments and management strategies, you can proactively manage proteinuria and not allow this diagnosis to define you.
We mean it when we say that we’re glad you’re here, and that you’re giving Florida Kidney Physicians (FKP) an opportunity to be part of your journey toward achieving optimal kidney health. We’re thrilled that you’re interested in learning about proteinuria management and proteinuria treatment. Knowledge is power, as they say.
Navigating the Path to Kidney Wellness: Managing Proteinuria with Treatment and Lifestyle Changes
When excess proteins are detected in your urine, your care team will help you navigate the diagnosis by making sure that you’re aware of the integral role you play in your kidney health. It’s one thing to be diagnosed with proteinuria, but another to begin to take the steps necessary to treat and manage it. That said, seeking proteinuria management strategies and proteinuria treatment options can help protect your kidneys. Your willingness to adhere to your proteinuria treatment plan can mitigate the impact that this condition can potentially have on your health and overall quality of life.
Welcome to our FKP Kidney Health blog, where we will help you learn about proven treatments, medications, and lifestyle changes regarding proteinuria management. Making changes—even small ones—can make a big difference, so we hope this post emboldens you to invest time and energy into prioritizing your kidney health.
Understanding Proteinuria Management
Proteinuria indicates that essential proteins are leaking into your urine. This diagnosis is not to be taken lightly because your kidneys are malfunctioning and are at risk of sustaining further damage. It’s important that you understand the significance of proteinuria management and the pivotal role you play in working alongside your care team to preserve your kidney function. The better your kidneys work, the fewer health complications you’re likely to encounter.
A proteinuria diagnosis may make you feel overwhelmed, worried, shocked, and even frustrated. Whatever mix of emotions you experience when you contemplate proteinuria management, keep in mind that you have a choice to take a proactive approach. A proactive approach means that you’re ready to do whatever you can to support your kidneys so you can preserve their function; combining medical interventions and lifestyle adjustments can contribute to kidney wellness and help you achieve a more favorable health outcome.
Medications for Proteinuria
Once proteinuria is confirmed, your doctor may move forward with prescribing you a prescription medication. Here are four of the most common proteinuria treatment medications. If your doctor or nephrologist prescribes medication, please be sure to take it exactly as prescribed.
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
In terms of proteinuria treatment, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors work by relaxing your veins and arteries, which will lower your blood pressure. According to Mayo Clinic, “ACE inhibitors prevent an enzyme in the body from making angiotensin 2, a substance that narrows blood vessels. This narrowing can cause high blood pressure and forces the heart to work harder. Angiotensin 2 also releases hormones that raise blood pressure.” Reducing your blood pressure can lower proteinuria levels because it will decrease excess strain on your kidneys.
- Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
Similar to ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) aim to get your blood pressure under control. Cleveland Clinic notes that ARBs “decrease the effects of angiotensin. This protein causes blood vessels to become too narrow, leading to high blood pressure. The medicine relaxes blood vessels, so blood flows more freely.” Once those ARBs target specific receptors and stabilize your blood pressure, the effects of proteinuria can usually be mitigated. Remember, the lower your blood pressure, the less strain your kidneys will have to endure.
- Immunosuppressive Medications
Your care team must determine if proteinuria is being caused by an autoimmune condition or inflammatory response. If this turns out to be the case, immunosuppressive medications can be utilized as part of your proteinuria treatment plan. Immunosuppressive medications will inhibit your immune system’s response, which can reduce inflammation and help prevent your kidneys from sustaining further damage that could lead to the development of additional health problems.
- Diuretics
Sometimes proteinuria is caused by fluid retention, which causes swelling. Diuretics can serve as a useful proteinuria treatment because these medications help your body eliminate excess fluids. In certain situations, taking a diuretic can be part of a comprehensive treatment plan for managing proteinuria. Your doctor will be able to determine if a diuretic can help reduce swelling and improve kidney function.
Lifestyle Changes for Proteinuria Management
Following a proteinuria diagnosis, you may ask yourself and/or your doctor, “What lifestyle changes can I make to protect my kidneys?” Here’s some good news for you: you can make four specific lifestyle changes that can contribute to successful proteinuria management.
- Maintaining a Healthy Diet
All doctors stress the importance of eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, but kidney doctors will especially emphasize that the foods and drinks you put into your body have a big impact on your kidney health. At FKP, our team encourages patients with proteinuria to eat a diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins and to avoid excess sodium and highly processed foods. Reducing your salt intake is also a crucial aspect of proteinuria management because salt can put excess strain on the kidneys and raise your blood pressure, which can potentially exacerbate proteinuria and even trigger other health problems.
- Hydration
How much water do you drink? Drinking water throughout the day—from the time you wake up in the morning until the time you go to bed at night—will ensure that you stay well-hydrated. Proper hydration supports kidney function and aids in flushing out toxins. Supplying your kidneys with plenty of water is one of the easiest ways to help manage proteinuria, so if you’re not sipping on water while you’re reading this, we invite you pour yourself a glass if you’re able.
- Regular Exercise
Engaging in regular, moderate exercise can contribute to your overall cardiovascular health and, in turn, positively impact kidney function. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. If you need to start slow, that’s okay—go for a five-minute walk around the block, and then gradually extend your time and increase your pace. You’ll find that establishing a regular exercise routine will make you feel better not only physically but also mentally. It’s normal to worry about your health, but according to the Second Edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “New evidence shows that physical activity has immediate health benefits. For example, physical activity can reduce anxiety and blood pressure and improve quality of sleep and insulin sensitivity.” What does this mean for proteinuria management? It means that every time you exercise, you can potentially feel better about your diagnosis and approach proteinuria treatment with a perspective that denotes your confidence in taking control of your health and well-being. A more optimistic outlook allows you to focus on proteinuria management with newfound clarity and determination.
- Avoiding Kidney Stressors
Research has shown that your kidneys can be damaged by certain drugs and supplements. The excessive use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and certain herbal supplements may damage your kidneys and exacerbate proteinuria. Avoid taking NSAIDs whenever possible, and talk to your doctor or nephrologist before you begin taking any kind of herbal supplement—certain supplements may seem compatible with your health goals at large, but you might be surprised to find that they could adversely affect your kidney function.
Dietary Recommendations
Here are three dietary recommendations that proteinuria patients can adopt with the good intention of supporting their kidney health and enhancing their kidney function.
- Reducing Protein Intake
Excessive protein consumption may contribute to proteinuria. If your doctor suspects that you’re eating or drinking too much protein and putting undue stress on your kidneys, your doctor may recommend reducing your protein intake. We suggest that you reduce your protein intake under the guidance of a healthcare professional or registered dietician who can assess your individual dietary needs and preferences while ensuring that the adjustment aligns with your proteinuria management plan that has been created for you by your doctor.
- Limiting Salt Intake
As we’ve already mentioned, sodium can put additional stress and strain on your kidneys. As much as you may want to reach for that saltshaker during breakfast, lunch, or dinner, we advise you to limit your salt intake as much as possible in order to manage proteinuria and keep your blood pressure numbers in check. High blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to health problems and can increase your risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or a stroke.
- Monitoring Phosphorus and Potassium
Some patients with kidney issues may be advised to monitor their intake of phosphorus and potassium. Phosphorus and potassium imbalances can negatively affect kidney function, so you may need to monitor your intake of foods that are rich in these minerals. Dairy products, nuts, seeds, beans, and certain meats are high in phosphorous, while foods high in potassium include bananas, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, and leafy green vegetables. Working closely with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian can help you solidify a dietary plan that will complement the proteinuria management strategies that you’ve already set in motion.
Regular Monitoring and Follow-ups
You should rely on your doctor to help you monitor your kidney health. In addition to ordering tests, conducting thorough evaluations, and answering any questions or concerns you may have about proteinuria management or proteinuria treatment, your doctor can help you assess the effectiveness of the changes you make to your diet and lifestyle. Regular check-ups can establish an open line of communication between you and your doctor. Schedule those check-ups, and don’t forget to reschedule right away if ever you need to cancel.
During a check-up, your doctor will talk to you about recent health changes, prescribe new medications or adjust current ones, and ensure that both you and your doctor are taking all the steps necessary toward promoting the health of your kidneys. Ideally, you’ll leave your doctor’s office feeling hopeful and encouraged—and this may very well inspire you to kick old habits, embrace healthier lifestyle choices, and continue to actively participate in your proteinuria treatment plan.
Empowering Patients for a Healthy Future
This blog post addressed medications for proteinuria management (ACE Inhibitors, ARBs, immunosuppressive medications, and diuretics); lifestyle changes (maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, getting regular exercise, and avoiding common kidney stressors), and dietary recommendations (reducing protein, limiting salt, and monitoring phosphorus and potassium intake).
Employing the key strategies for managing proteinuria that we have reviewed in this blog post will allow you to take charge of your kidney health and pave the way toward a healthier and more vibrant future. Feeling in control of your health can reduce anxiety and stress surrounding your diagnosis. In turn, this can reaffirm your commitment to kidney wellness and ensure that your proteinuria treatment plan remains up-to-date.
From all of us at FKP, we wish you well and commend you for taking the time to read our educational blog posts so you can develop a deeper understanding of your kidneys, how they function, and what it takes to successfully manage and monitor proteinuria.