Why CKD Is Getting Worse And What You Can Do To Slow It?

Is your CKD getting worse despite treatment? 

Many people with stage 3 or stage 4 chronic kidney disease go through this same worry and frustration. You may be wondering why CKD is getting worse even after you follow your doctor’s advice. 

There can be many reasons behind this progression of CKD. These can include other health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes, or lifestyle choices. These causes can put extra strain on your kidneys. Even environmental factors like heat and dehydration can take a toll on your kidneys.

By knowing all these triggers, you can take clear and practical steps to slow the damage and protect your kidney function. In short, by understanding these triggers, you can improve your health and overall well-being.

How CKD Progresses in Stages 3 and 4

If you are in stage 3 or 4 of CKD, you might be wondering why your kidneys are seemingly weakening despite adhering to a treatment regimen. In these stages, your kidney function is tracked through something called eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate).

When eGFR decreases, your kidneys are able to filter waste and toxins from the blood, making it harder. A continuous decline in eGFR means your kidney function is reducing to stage 3 or 4.

In stage 3, there are changes that you might notice, and they are easy to overlook. From hand, foot, and even facial swelling to low energy levels despite proper rest, and shortness of breath even with light movement. These are signs of your kidneys struggling to satisfy your body’s demands.

Stage 4 CKD is more noticeable and is the stage that can affect your daily activities. This is a difficult stage because of the possibility of experiencing nausea, decreased appetite, and muscle cramps.

Knowing the different stages of CKD gives you the possibility to act fast. With the right treatment plan, lifestyle changes, and close monitoring, kidney damage can be delayed, and years of independent living can be achieved.

Why Standard Treatments May Fail?

We understand that seeing no difference in your chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment with regard to the progression of the disease, even after following the prescribed treatment, can get really confusing. As a matter of fact, taking medications alone is very unlikely to be effective in slowing down the damage. Instead, you will need to control the factors that are fueling the disease to assist the treatment. This is a major reason why treatment of CKD fails.

This is also seen in cases of poorly controlled blood sugar levels. In the same way, high blood pressure is a reason as well as an outcome of kidney damage. If blood pressure is not checked, it can lead to a rapid, aggressive deterioration of kidney function in the background.

An uncontrolled diet also tops the list of contributing factors towards the deterioration of CKD. No matter how good the medicine and treatment are, they cannot help you if you are consuming a high-sodium, potassium, and protein diet, which is not in the best interest of your kidneys. This also includes processed foods.

Lack of adequate supervision after any treatment or intervention adds to the number of reasons why the treatment fails.

All of the gaps that we have outlined create a picture of how and why the treatment of CKD fails.

Common Causes of CKD Worsening

Understanding the causes of your condition is essential if you want to manage the progression of your CKD. Protecting your kidneys for as long as possible is only possible when you know the causes. Chronic kidney disease is a progressive condition, but some factors can hasten its advancement. Let’s discuss them.  

• Uncontrolled diabetes: Persistent high sugar levels can damage the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys, hindering their ability to filter out waste and toxins. This would greatly increase the chances of CKD and its possible consequences. Regular blood sugar checks alongside a balanced diet and medications can help avoid this.  
• High blood pressure: High blood pressure levels are both a cause and a result of CKD. If you leave it uncontrolled, it can aggravate your CKD by adding further damage to your blood vessels. High blood pressure is generally able to worsen your condition.  
• Infections and inflammations: Chronic body inflammation or recurrent urinary tract infections or kidney infections can hasten the rate of kidney damage. If you are encountering any of these ailments, addressing them can make a big difference.    
• Overuse of some medications: The long-term use of pain relievers such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can lead to a decreased blood supply, which can lessen the efficiency of your kidneys and worsen CKD.Lifestyle factors: A diet high in sodium and tobacco use, even if overlooked, does have a considerable impact on the decline of the kidneys. Therefore, reducing sodium and quitting tobacco use is necessary to maintain.

What is combination therapy for CKD, and how does it work?

MedicoExperts’ combination therapy for chronic kidney disease is a personalized approach, combining different treatments instead of a singular one. It integrates modern medicine and nutrition, along with regenerative medicine, lifestyle modifications, and even Ayurvedic or homeopathic medicine to maximize kidney health.  

How Does Combination Therapy Work?  

• At MedicoExperts, a blend of different specialities, such as allopathic and Ayurvedic medicine, homeopathy, and regenerative medicine, doesn’t work in silos; instead, they work in collaboration.
• Your treatment plan can feature medications, CKD-tailored nutrition, appropriate regenerative medicine, lifestyle recommendations, and herbal or homeopathic treatments, as well as counselling.
• It focuses on chronic kidney disease with numerous methods instead of a singular approach to one treatment line.  

Some of our combination therapy benefits are

• More effectively slows CKD progression  
• Enhances management of CKD-related symptoms like tiredness, swelling, or elevated creatinine levels.  
• Delivers tailored stage-specific strategy following an in-depth cross-consultative evaluation by doctors across specialities.

Supporting strategies to slow CKD progression

To slow down your CKD, you will need a proper treatment plan and lifestyle changes. We have already talked in detail about the causes that accelerate chronic kidney disease. You can preserve kidney function and delay advanced stages only if you follow targeted strategies. Here are the steps to do so.

1. Combination therapy: This approach focuses on using multiple treatment approaches together for better results. Doctors may combine advanced medical science with traditional wisdom, nutritional guidance, lifestyle modifications, and supportive therapies. Combination therapy helps reduce the rate of kidney damage by addressing CKD from different angles.

2. Low-sodium, kidney-friendly diet: If you are taking too much salt in your food, it may cause high blood pressure and fluid retention. Both of these stress the kidneys further. So, you need to cut down on salt immediately and have fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. This will slow down chronic kidney disease progression.

3. Strict blood pressure and sugar control: Check your blood pressure and sugar levels regularly and religiously. Keep them within a healthy range. 

4. Stay hydrated within doctor-recommended limits: Both over- and underhydration are harmful to your kidneys. You need to follow your doctor’s guidance and have an adequate amount of fluids. 

5. Avoiding nephrotoxic medications: You should avoid some medicines (NSAIDs) and over-the-counter remedies, as they can harm your kidneys. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine

6. Regular checkups and lab tests: Frequent monitoring of your condition helps early detection of any issues. This helps you make timely adjustments to your treatment plan and lifestyle habits.

Following these tips can be useful in delaying CKD’s final stages.

Why CKD is Getting Worse? – Takeaway

If your CKD is getting worse, it doesn’t mean you don’t have any options. Knowing the causes and adjusting your treatment plan and lifestyle can slow down the progression. 

MedicoExperts can help you get the right team of doctors who can help you preserve your kidney function and live an independent life for longer. 

Do you want to know how combination therapy can help you?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

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References

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10588295
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6981831
• https://www.ajkd.org/article/S0272-6386(20)30724-1/fulltext
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7369961
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3004836

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Medically Reviewed by MedicoExperts Editorial & Clinical Review Board on 14 August 2025

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