My doctor told me that I have chronic renal failure. What does that mean?
Chronic renal failure means that your kidneys are not working the way they should.
Kidney failure is caused by many things, but in most cases it is related to diabetes or high blood pressure. Chronic renal failure, sometimes called renal insufficiency, causes your kidney function to decline over time. Many people with chronic renal failure eventually need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
What can I do to keep my kidneys healthy?
Unfortunately you cannot usually cure chronic kidney diseases, but it is possible to manage them.
You can help your kidneys stay as healthy as possible by:

Following the treatments recommended by your doctor and dietitian

Taking your blood pressure and diabetes medications

Talking to your doctor about medicines that you should avoid because of kidney problems (some medicines, including those you can buy without a prescription, can make kidney failure worse)
I was told one of the most important things I can do is to watch my diet. Is that true?
It is true that eating too much of some foods can speed up kidney failure. Eating the right foods is one way to help keep your kidneys as healthy as possible. Most people with kidney disease need to watch their intake of protein, sodium, and potassium. The kidney handles the waste products from the protein you eat. Too much protein in the diet may make chronic kidney failure worse, because it makes your kidneys work harder.
Exactly how much protein should I eat?
Protein needs are different for each person. They are based on body size and the extent of kidney failure. A registered dietitian can decide how much protein you need based on your medical condition and results of a blood test called the glomerular filtration rate
(GFR).
What foods are high in protein?
Protein is found in many foods, including:

Meats (beef, pork, and veal)

Poultry (fish, chicken, quail, etc)

Seafood (fish, shrimp, lobster, crab, etc)

Dairy foods (cheese, milk, yogurt, and ice cream)

Nuts and nut butters (peanut butter)

Eggs

Dried beans and peas (kidney beans, pinto beans, etc)

How does sodium in the diet relate to kidney failure?
Sodium (salt) may raise your blood pressure, and high blood pressure can cause the kidneys to fail. Watching sodium is important when you have kidney disease. Sodium is found in many foods naturally and is added to processed foods.
High-sodium foods include:

Packaged and processed foods (boxed foods, frozen foods, and canned foods)

Processed meats (hot dogs, bologna, bacon, and sausage)
How does potassium in the diet relate to kidney failure?
Diseased kidneys often are unable to remove all the potassium you eat. This is a problem, because too much potassium can affect your heart. Potassium is found naturally in many foods, including fruits, vegetables, dried beans and peas, and nuts.
It seems like I cannot eat anything when I have kidney disease. What can I eat?
Eating to keep your kidneys from declining is complicated, especially if you also have diabetes or high blood pressure. A registered dietitian skilled in managing kidney problems can plan a diet for you and help you decide what foods you can enjoy without worrying about your kidneys. In many cases, insurance will help pay for your visits with a dietitian.
References and recommended readings
Bailie GR, Johnson CA, Mason NA, St Peter WL, eds. Chronic Kidney Disease 2006: A
Guide to Select NKF-KDOQI Guidelines and Recommendations. Available at: http://www.kidney.org/professionals/kls/pdf/Pharmacist_CPG.pdf
. Accessed December
11, 2012.
MedlinePlus. Chronic renal failure. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000471.htm
. Accessed December 11,
2012.
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The Kidneys and
How They Work.
Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/pdf/yourkidneys.pdf
. Accessed December
11, 2012.
Review Date 12/12
R-0509