Hypertension related kidney disease:
Hypertension may not only lead to cardiovascular disease, but also it is the most common cause of kidney disease after diabetes mellitus. The key to preventing hypertension related complications is to diagnose hypertension early and treat it before it has been present long enough to cause chronic disease. Hypertension may be discovered years after it starts but treating hypertension even if found late will prevent progression of kidney disease.
Medication affect upon the kidneys:
Avoid contrast and nephrotoxic drugs whenever possible.
Contrast:
Avoid contrast with CT scans and MRI scans when it is not necessary to use it, or is not likely to add any important diagnostic information. Patients should discuss with the ordering physician about whether contrast is necessary. In patients without fluid restriction, hydrate well prior to a procedure which uses contrast to improve renal clearance of contrast. Before a procedure, MRI or CT scan, increase hydration over the 24 hours prior until urine is maintained as clear without any tint of yellow, then before the procedure, the patient should drink 1 liter per hour for 2 hours. Avoid contrast in diabetics taking metformin within 48 hours which may lead to a complication of lactic acidosis.
