Can therapeutic interventions prevent chronic renal failure?

One way to prevent chronic renal failure (CRF) is to institute preventive measures against renal diseases in the general population. Patients with hereditary kidney diseases should have genetic counselling. Certain infections affecting or causing kidney diseases can be eradicated. People should be cautious in the use of analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Exposure to hydrocarbons, heavy metals and toxic gases should be avoided. Proper management of diabetes mellitus, gout, renal stones and hypertension can prevent renal damage. In patients with established renal disease, the following factors if treated or modified can prevent or ameliorate renal injury: glomerular hypertension, cell mediated proliferation, lipid induced proliferation, coagulation and thrombosis. Pregnancy in patients with renal disease should be well managed and termination advised if necessary. Reversible causes of renal failure as well as acute reversible elements can be removed or treated. Acute renal failure due to toxins can be avoided, although prevention requires awareness of association with renal failure. Prevention too depends on early detection of nephrotoxic injury like: greater awareness of hazards of environmental toxins, careful monitoring of dosage of nephrotoxic drugs and when possible, total avoidance of nephrotoxins should be the rule. Finally, in patients with glomerular disease, prevention or amelioration of glomerular damage with pharmacological agents have been achieved in some instances.