Coping with Kidney Disease: A 12-Step Treatment Program to Help You Avoid Dialysis

Introduction.

Terms, Measures, and Abbreviations.

PART I: LOOKING AT THE DISEASE OF KIDNEY FAILURE.

1. What Do Kidneys Do and What Happens When They Fail?

2. Are You at Risk for Kidney Failure?

3. Symptoms of Kidney Failure.

PART II: HOW TO TREAT KIDNEY FAILURE.

4. Treating Kidney Failure.

5. STEP 1: Assess Your Current Treatment Plan.

6. STEP 2: Make Lifestyle Changes.

7. STEP 3: Follow a Low-Protein Diet.

8. STEP 4: Treat Salt and Water Problems.

9. STEP 5: Regulate Your Blood Pressure.

10. STEP 6: Treat Acidosis.

11. STEP 7: Treat Anemia and Iron Deficiency.

12. STEP 8: Treat Potassium Problems.

13. STEP 9: Treat Calcium and Phosphate Problems.

14. STEP 10: Treat Gout and Uric Acid Problems.

15. STEP 11: Treat Your High Cholesterol.

16. STEP 12: Know the Medications That Slow the Progression of Renal Failure.

PART III: TRACKING KIDNEY FAILURE, DIALYSIS, TRANSPLANTS, AND MORE.

17. Keeping Close Watch on Your Kidney Failure.

18. Dietary Treatment of the Nephrotic Syndrome.

19. Safe and Unsafe Medications for Patients with Kidney Failure.

20. Transplantation as an Alternative to Dialysis.

21. When to Opt for Dialysis.

22. Patients Who Have Avoided Dialysis.

Appendix 1: Resources for Kidney Patients.

Appendix 2: Government Support of Low-Protein Diets.

Notes.

Glossary.

Index.