Newly diagnosed

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.

The stages of 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.

Next steps after diagnosis

Your health practitioner should discuss with you the things you can do to help slow or minimise the damage to your kidneys. These include:

• continuing to get your kidneys checked, by organising regular kidney checks with your GP
• taking any medications your doctor prescribes you. Some medications such as some blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes tablets also help to protect the kidneys
• decreasing your risk factors for kidney disease (this can include quitting smoking, eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, exercising, and drinking more water)
• talking to your health care team to find out the best treatment options and pathways for you.

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.