Being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease can be overwhelming. It's important to know you're not alone andY you can take steps to improve your diagnosis.
Being diagnosed with kidney disease can be overwhelming. You may feel shocked, scared, or even confused. It’s important to remember that 1 in 10 Australian adults experience some sort of kidney disease so you're not alone and we're here to help you navigate this journey. With our support and information, we can help you achieve a better quality of life with kidney disease.
Chronic kidney disease is usually progressive and occurs in stages. That means that, depending on when you’re diagnosed, you can usually slow down or even halt the progression of your disease.
Your health practitioner should discuss with you the things you can do to help slow or minimise the damage to your kidneys. These include:
While there’s unlikely to be a single cure for kidney disease, there is ongoing research and innovation working towards this. In the meantime, it’s important to follow your healthcare professional’s advice and work towards slowing down or minimising the damage to your kidneys.
As well as your doctor and healthcare professionals helping you, there are ways you can educate yourself to keep improving your kidney health.
Our My Kidneys My Health handbook is free and available online, or through the App Store. It’s designed specifically for people who have been recently diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, to provide support and helpful information.
We also provide other great resources and links to support networks including the Kidney Helpline, diet and nutrition advice, local kidney disease support groups, and mental health organisations.