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When it’s your kidneys
For people in the United States who have kidney disease, who have diabetes or high blood pressure and have never been told how their kidneys are, or who are facing dialysis, and for the people beside them. Who should be tested. The two tests, and what the numbers mean. How to protect the kidneys you have. The common pain relievers that can damage them. The four choices if kidneys fail. Living on dialysis. A transplant. And how Medicare covers kidney failure at any age. Take only what you need today.
A word with a dotted line under it, like this, opens its official definition, quoted from a U.S. government glossary.
Right now
- Chest pain, or trouble breathing? Call 911. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases lists chest pain and shortness of breath among the symptoms of advanced kidney disease.
- Had a kidney transplant, and you have a fever of more than 100 degrees or aren’t feeling well? The same institute says to call your transplant center right away.
- On peritoneal dialysis, with belly pain, a fever, or cloudy used solution? It says to seek immediate care if you have signs of infection.
- Can’t get to dialysis because of a storm, a flood or another emergency? Medicare says your ESRD Network can help you get your treatments. Call 1-800-633-4227 for your Network’s contact information.
- Thinking about ending your life? Call or text 988, at any hour.
More help
- To keep your own numbers: Blood pressure log and Blood sugar log.
- To keep your medicines straight: My medicines: a list and a daily check.
- To get ready for the visit: Get ready for your appointment.
- No doctor, or no way to pay: When you need a doctor and can’t pay and When a medical bill is too much.
- Diabetes and the heart: When blood sugar goes too low or too high, When it might be a heart attack and When it might be a stroke.
- If you can’t work: Applying for disability benefits and Ask for what helps you work.
- Food: When you need food.
- Looking after someone: When you’re caring for someone.
- A card to carry: My emergency card.
- All our free tools and Get help now.
Kidneys, bladder or urine, and not sure this is the right page? The pages on this site for bladder infections, kidney stones, blood in the urine, bladder pain, bladder leaks, the prostate, kidney disease and bedwetting, on one list.
Other guides on this site that go with this page
Free to read. We chose these ourselves; no professional did. Each guide was written with AI and has not been reviewed by a professional. They are general information, not advice.
- How the kidneys work: where they are, what they do, the nephrons, and how blood flows through them: how the kidneys work (where they are, what they do, the nephrons, the glomerulus and the tubule, and how blood flows through them): the wastes, the balance of water, salts and minerals, the hormones, the numbers in a day, and the words in plain language.
- Kidney failure: choosing a treatment (dialysis, a transplant, or conservative care): kidney failure (kidneys failing or about to fail; choosing between hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, a kidney transplant, or conservative management, care without dialysis): the signs and when to start, how to choose and change your mind, an advance directive, dialysis at a center or at home, the access, infection signs, the transplant waiting list and living donors, food by treatment, work, and paying for it (Medicare, Medicaid, the social worker).
- Nephrotic syndrome: in adults and in children: nephrotic syndrome in adults and in children (swelling, foamy urine, protein in the urine): what causes it, the signs and what it can lead to, the urine and blood tests, the treatment, and steroids and relapses in children.
- Glomerular disease: the signs, the causes, the tests, and the treatment: glomerular disease (FSGS, lupus nephritis, membranous nephropathy, minimal change disease and others; foamy or cola-colored urine, swelling, or a kidney biopsy that showed it): what it is, the causes and who gets it, the signs and what it can lead to, the tests and the biopsy, the kinds of medicine and kidney failure, and food, family and research.
- IgA nephropathy (Berger’s disease): the signs, the biopsy, and the treatment: IgA nephropathy, Berger’s disease (pink, cola-colored or foamy urine, swelling, or a kidney biopsy that showed it): what it is, who is more likely to have it, the signs and what it can lead to, the tests and the biopsy, the kinds of medicine and less salt, and food, family and research.
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): the types, the signs, the tests, and slowing it down: polycystic kidney disease (PKD; many fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys, often in the family; pain in the back or sides, headaches, high blood pressure, blood in the urine): what it is, the two types (ADPKD in adults, ARPKD in babies) and the genes, the signs and what it can lead to (kidney failure, brain aneurysms, liver cysts), the imaging and genetic tests and genetic counseling, pain medicine and the kidneys, a blood pressure goal, the steps that may slow it, food and drink, and the costs.
- One kidney (a solitary kidney): the checkups, keeping it safe, and giving a kidney: one kidney, a solitary kidney (born with one, had one removed, or gave one): the three causes, what it can lead to, the urine, blood and blood pressure checkups, medicines and sports, pregnancy, and giving a kidney.
- Kidney disease in children: the signs, the causes, the treatment, and school: kidney disease in a child (acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease; swelling, foamy or pink urine, peeing more or less, or wetting the bed again): what it is, which children get it and the causes, the signs and what it can lead to, the tests and the kidney doctor for children, the kinds of medicine, dialysis and transplant, and school (an IEP or a 504 plan), friends and feelings.
- Kidney stones: the signs, when it is an emergency, passing a stone, and preventing the next one: kidney stones: the signs, when it is an emergency, passing a stone, and preventing the next one.
- When pain doesn’t go away: pain that has lasted for months: describing it so a doctor hears it, treatments that are not medicine, and what pain does to sleep and mood.
- When the heaviness won’t lift: what depression is and the ways it can look that aren’t sadness, seeing a doctor, and finding help you can afford.
- When someone you love is dying: someone who is dying: hospice and palliative care, what Medicare pays for, keeping them comfortable, what you may see near the end, and what to say.
- When you have no ride to the doctor: Medicaid rides, what Medicare covers, VA rides and travel pay, paratransit, and who to call: when you have no ride to the doctor: the ride Medicaid covers and how to set it up, when Medicare pays for an ambulance, free rides and travel pay from VA, the federal paratransit rule, and who to call.
- When it’s heart failure: when to call 911, symptoms, the ejection fraction number, medicines, the morning weigh-in, salt and fluid, and what to ask: heart failure: when it is a 911 call and when to call your provider, the ejection fraction number, the kinds of medicine, the morning weigh-in, and salt and fluid.
- When it’s high blood pressure: what the numbers mean, a very high reading and when to call 911, checking at home, medicines, salt and food, pregnancy, and what to ask: high blood pressure: what the two numbers mean, what to do with a very high reading and when it is a 911 call, how to get a true reading, the kinds of medicine, and salt.
- When it’s high cholesterol: what the numbers mean, how often to be tested, statins and other medicines, food, when it runs in the family, and what to ask: high cholesterol: what the numbers on a lab report mean, how often to be tested, the kinds of medicine and what is said about statins, food, and when it runs in the family.
- When it’s atrial fibrillation (AFib): when to call 911, what it feels like, blood clots and blood thinners, medicines, cardioversion and ablation, day to day, and what to ask: atrial fibrillation (AFib): the signs that are a 911 call, what it feels like, blood clots and blood thinners, the medicines that slow the heart or steady its rhythm, and cardioversion, ablation and other procedures.
- Sleep apnea: when breathing stops in your sleep: sleep apnea: the signs, getting a sleep study, CPAP and the other treatments, living with the machine, and what Medicare covers.
- Hemodialysis: what happens, a center or home, your access, the problems, and living with it: hemodialysis: what happens during a treatment, a dialysis center or home, protecting your veins and the vascular access, cramps, low blood pressure and access problems, food and liquids, dry weight, and stopping.
- Peritoneal dialysis: how it works, by hand or by machine, the catheter, infection, and living with it: peritoneal dialysis: how it works, by hand during the day or a cycler at night, the catheter and the training, doing an exchange, infection and peritonitis, hernia and weight gain, food and liquids, and how to know it is working.
- Kidney transplant: the tests, the waiting list, the surgery, rejection, and living with a new kidney: kidney transplant: where a kidney comes from, the tests and the waiting list, a living donor, the surgery and your team, the first days, rejection and when to call the transplant center, the side effects of anti-rejection medicines, food, and paying.
- Amyloidosis and the kidneys: the types, the signs, the tests, and the treatment: amyloidosis and the kidneys: the five types (AL, AA, LECT2, hereditary, dialysis-related), who gets them, nephrotic syndrome and the other signs, the tests, the treatment for each type, caring for the kidneys, prevention and food.
- Paying for kidney failure treatment: Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, insurance, and help with medicines: paying for kidney failure treatment: Medicare at any age, when it starts and ends, choosing a plan, a job plan and the 30 months, Medicaid and CHIP, SSDI and SSI, state programs, help for veterans and others, and help paying for medicines.
- IgA vasculitis (HSP): the rash, the belly and joint pain, the kidneys, and the treatment: IgA vasculitis, formerly Henoch-Schönlein purpura or HSP (a raised rash that does not turn pale when pressed, belly or joint pain, or blood in the urine, most often in a young child): what it is, the symptoms and when to get help, the tests and months of kidney checks, the treatment, and a later pregnancy.
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children: the signs, when to get care, the hospital, and preventing it: hemolytic uremic syndrome, HUS (a child with bloody diarrhea from E. coli, then paleness, tiredness, bruises, swelling or less urine): what it is, the causes, when to seek immediate care, the tests, the hospital and dialysis, getting better, and preventing it.
- Anti-GBM (Goodpasture’s) disease: the signs, when to get help, the tests, and the treatment: anti-GBM disease, also called Goodpasture’s disease (the immune system attacks the kidneys and lungs: coughing up blood, shortness of breath, pink or cola-colored urine, swelling): what it is, who gets it, what may cause it, when to get help right away, the tests, the medicines and plasma exchange, dialysis, and keeping it from coming back.
- Eating with kidney disease: salt, liquids, phosphorus, potassium, protein, and a dietitian: eating with chronic kidney disease (CKD), at any stage or on dialysis: why food matters, sodium and the 2,300 mg line, liquids, phosphorus and the PHOS additives, potassium and salt substitutes, protein, calories, heart-healthy fats, and medical nutrition therapy with a registered dietitian.
- Diabetic kidney disease: what it is, who is more likely, the yearly tests, blood sugar and blood pressure goals, and the medicines: diabetic kidney disease: what it is and how diabetes causes it; why it is often silent; what raises the chances; the yearly urine albumin and blood tests; the A1C and blood pressure goals; ACE inhibitors and ARBs; healthy habits and stress; and whether it gets worse.
- High blood pressure and kidney disease: what it does to the kidneys, who is more likely, the numbers and tests, the medicines, and everyday steps: high blood pressure and kidney disease: how high blood pressure harms the kidneys and how damaged kidneys raise it more; how common both are; who is more likely; the symptoms; the two blood pressure numbers and the GFR and urine albumin tests; ACE inhibitors, ARBs and diuretics; sodium, DASH and protein; and activity, weight, smoking, alcohol and stress.
- Medicines and your kidneys: the blood pressure medicines, your pharmacist and your list, NSAIDs, and a plan for sick days: medicines and your kidneys: how to tell an ACE inhibitor (-pril), an ARB (-sartan) and a water pill; one pharmacy and one up-to-date list; NSAIDs in pain, fever and cold medicines; the questions to ask before you get sick; and why being dehydrated changes things.
- Conservative management for kidney failure: care without dialysis, your right to decide, the care team, hospice, food, and how you may feel: conservative management for kidney failure: care without dialysis or a transplant; your right to decide; the care plan and team; who may choose it; hospice, which Medicare covers; food; how you may feel; and how long.
- Renal artery stenosis: the narrowed kidney artery, high blood pressure that will not come down, the tests, the medicines, stents and surgery, and food: renal artery stenosis: the narrowed kidney artery and renovascular hypertension; its causes (atherosclerosis, fibromuscular dysplasia); who is more likely; the signs; what it can lead to; the tests; medicines, stents and surgery; and food.
This page and its wording were written with AI (Claude) for Scarlet Beast (our AI policy). No doctor, nurse, dietitian or lawyer has reviewed it, and it was not written by someone who has kidney disease: an AI has never sat in a dialysis chair, and cannot know what that costs a person. The facts come from pages read on October 6, 2026: the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (niddk.nih.gov: What Is Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults? and Causes, both last reviewed February 2025; Tests & Diagnosis, Managing and Preventing, all October 2016; Healthy Eating for Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease, January 2025; What Is Kidney Failure?, Choosing a Treatment, Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis, Kidney Transplant and Conservative Management, all January 2018; Financial Help for Treatment of Kidney Failure, February 2020); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Chronic Kidney Disease Basics, Testing, and Risk Factors, all May 15, 2024); Medicare.gov (End-Stage Renal Disease; dialysis services and supplies; kidney transplants; kidney disease education); and MedlinePlus. Several of those pages are years old, and the page says so where it uses them. The longest of them (the dialysis, transplant and treatment-choice pages) were searched for the parts used here, not read end to end. The page says whose words it is passing on, and what is marked “ours” is our own suggestion and not from any of these. Where the sources differ: the kidney institute calls a GFR of “15 or less” kidney failure and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says “less than 15”; the page gives both. What we did not read: the National Kidney Foundation’s site (the page we tried did not open), the American Kidney Fund, any ESRD Network’s own page, how the transplant waiting list works, living donation, children’s kidney disease, acute kidney injury, kidney stones, polycystic kidney disease, any state’s Medicaid or kidney program rules, the newer kidney medicines, and any price. So the page does not describe them. We did not call any number. Numbers and coverage rules change: check with the source before you rely on one. This page saves nothing: no account, no cookies, nothing you tick or choose is stored or sent, and no analytics (privacy). It was checked by programs, not yet used by people. Scarlet Beast is not a clinic, a dialysis center, an insurance agency or a government agency, and takes no money from anyone named here. Found a mistake? Email [email protected].