A World Without Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is very expensive to treat. It costs about $90,000 each year for someone on dialysis. In the U.S, over $50 billion is spent on dialysis each year.
The southeastern part of the U.S., called the “kidney belt,” has the highest rates of chronic kidney disease. States like Alabama and Louisiana have the most cases because of limited healthcare, lower income and unhealthy lifestyles.
Recently, new medicines have been created that can slow down kidney disease, helping people live longer without needing dialysis.
These new medicines each have an important function in protecting the kidneys. And many studies show that they work even better when combined.
The combined effect of these powerful medicines have helped improve patient’s kidney function significantly. Many chronic kidney patients can avoid dialysis for many years because of these medicines. A kidney specialist is trained on how to safely and effectively use these medicines to help protect patient’s kidneys.
Medicines That Help Slow Down Kidney Disease:
1. ACE Inhibitors and ARBs:
• What They Do: Lower blood pressure and reduce stress on the kidneys. This can slow down kidney disease, meaning it could be many years before someone might need dialysis.
• Examples: Lisinopril, losartan.
2. SGLT2 Inhibitors:
• What They Do: These medicines lower blood sugar and protect the kidneys, helping them work better for longer and delaying the need for dialysis.
• Examples: Canagliflozin, dapagliflozin.
3. Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists (MRAs):
• What They Do: These medicines lower the amount of protein in urine, which helps protect the kidneys.
• Examples: Spironolactone, finerenone.
4. GLP-1 Agonists:
• What They Do: These medicines can protect the kidneys by reducing inflammation and stress in the kidneys. They can also help control blood sugar and weight, which is good for the kidneys.
• Examples: Exenatide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, semaglutide.
5. Statins:
• What They Do: Statins lower cholesterol, which helps reduce kidney damage.
• Examples: Atorvastatin.
Using a combination of these medicines can:
• Slow Down Kidney Disease: helps kidneys keep working longer.
• Improve Kidney Function: keeps kidneys better at filtering waste.
• Reduce the Need for Dialysis: delays or even avoids the need for dialysis.
Why This Matters
These new treatments show how much progress has been made in treating kidney disease. They can help people live longer, healthier lives without needing dialysis. This progress brings us closer to a world without kidney disease, where patients can spend more time enjoying life and making memories with friends and family.
