Can Kidney Disease Be Reversed? What Patients Need to Know

You may feel worried and unsure about what happens next with your kidneys. Can kidney disease be reversed? You’re not alone when asking this question. It is normal to have these questions whether the damage can still be turned around.

This article explains when kidney disease can improve, when it cannot, and what you can do to protect the kidneys’ remaining function. It also shows how at-home urine tests can fit into your daily routine so you can watch your health with more confidence.

Key Insights

• Chronic kidney disease is usually permanent, but many people can slow or pause further damage with treatment and lifestyle changes.

• Acute kidney injury is often reversible, especially when diagnosed and treated quickly.

• Early stages of kidney disease offer the best window to protect function for the long term.

• At home urine strips can help you spot changes in protein, blood, and other markers between clinic visits.

• Daily habits like blood pressure control, blood sugar control, and avoiding smoking have a direct impact on kidney health.

What is kidney disease and how does it develop?

You are likely asking if the damage has already gone too far or if there’s still time to act. Kidney disease sounds scary as it should. But understanding what is happening inside your body gives you some control back.

Your kidneys are two small organs that sit in your lower back. They clean your blood, balance the fluids and minerals, help control blood pressure, and support red blood cell production. When they stop working well, waste and fluid build up, which can affect every part of your body.

What do the kidneys do in your body?

Your kidneys act like filters for your blood. Every day, they filter about ~150 liters of blood and remove extra water, salt, acids, and waste products. They remove this waste as urine.

Healthy kidneys also:

• Help control blood pressure by managing fluid levels and hormone signals

• Keep the balance of minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus

• Release a hormone that tells your bone marrow to make red blood cells

• Help control acid levels in the body so the cells work properly

When kidney function drops, these functions suffer, and you may feel tired, swollen, short of breath, or just “off” in general.

What is the difference between acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease?

You might hear two main terms: acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). They sound similar, but they behave very differently.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI):

• Happens suddenly over hours to days

• Common causes include severe dehydration, infection, blood loss, certain medicines, or blockage of urine flow

• Often occurs in people who are already very sick or hospitalized

• Can be reversible if treated quickly and the cause is fixed

Chronic kidney disease (CKD):

• Develops slowly, usually over months to years

• Most often caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, or long term damage from other conditions

• Kidney tissue scars over time, which usually cannot heal

• Often has no symptoms until function is already quite low

So, when people ask “Can kidney disease be reversed,” the answers could be different depending on whether they see AKI or CKD and how severe the condition is.

What are the main causes of kidney disease?

You may want to know what causes the damage in the first place, and rightfully so. Knowing the cause helps you choose the right steps to protect your kidneys now.

The most common causes of chronic kidney disease include:

• Diabetes, which harms small blood vessels in the kidneys over many years

• High blood pressure, which strains the kidney filters and leads to scarring

• Heart and blood vessel disease

• Autoimmune diseases like lupus

• Genetic conditions (e.g., polycystic kidney disease)

• Long-term use of some pain relievers (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs)

Short-term kidney damage often comes from:

• Severe dehydration from vomiting, diarrhea, or extreme heat

• Serious infections or sepsis

• Sudden drop in blood pressure

• Reactions to medicines or contrast dye

• Blockage from kidney stones or prostate problems

How does kidney disease progress over time?

You may be wondering how fast kidney disease gets worse and whether anything can slow it down. The answer depends on your stage, underlying cause, and how closely you follow treatment.

Healthcare professionals often talk about CKD stages based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which is a lab estimate of kidney filtering function:

• Stage 1: eGFR 90 or higher with some signs of damage (protein in urine, abnormal imaging)

• Stage 2: eGRF 60–89 with signs of damage

• Stage 3: eGFR 30–59 (with subsets 3a and 3b)

• Stage 4: eGFR 15–29

• Stage 5: eGFR <15, often called kidney failure

Many people ask how quickly kidney disease progresses. For some, kidney function stays stable for years with good care. For others, especially when diabetes or blood pressure are not controlled, decline can be faster. Early detection, close follow up, and daily habits all play a major role in how your kidneys do over time.

Is chronic kidney disease reversible, or only treatable?

It is scary to think that CKD could mean a one-way path to dialysis. The truth is more complicated than that. It helps when you’re clear about things so you can plan together with your care team.

Current definitions say that CKD is usually permanent. The damaged filters rarely grow back. However, you can often slow or even pause further damage, especially in the early stages.

What causes kidney disease to become irreversible?

When your kidneys reach the “point of no return”, the direct cause is often structural changes within the organ, which becomes very hard to undo.

Kidney disease tends to become irreversible when:

• Scar tissue replaces healthy filtering units

• Blood vessels inside the kidneys narrow or stiffen

• Inflammation lingers for months or years

• Protein in the urine stays high despite treatment

Long-term diabetes and high blood pressure are key drivers of these changes. Smoking, obesity, and repeated kidney injuries add more strain. By the time eGFR drops to later stage 4 or 5, your doctor will focus on slowing symptoms, managing complications, and planning for dialysis or transplant rather than true reversal.

How is chronic kidney disease diagnosed?

It is important to know how doctors confirm whether the damage is temporary or chronic. The diagnosis relies on simple tests done more than once over time.

To diagnose CKD, your healthcare provider (HCP) usually:

• Orders blood tests to check for creatinine levels and calculate eGFR

• Checks urine for protein, blood, or other markers of damage

• Repeat tests at least three months apart to see if problems persist

• Reviews imaging, such as an ultrasound, to look at kidney size and structure

CKD as defined earlier by a reduced eGFR, often less than 60, or clear signs of kidney damage that last at least three months. Your HCP may also check for albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) in a urine sample. Higher ACR means there is higher protein leakage and higher risk of disease progression.

What can patients do to preserve kidney function?

You want to know what you can do today to protect the kidney function you still have. While you cannot fix scarred tissue, you can reduce any new damage.

Proven steps to preserve kidney function include:

• Keep blood pressure in target range, often under 130/80 mmHg, with medicine and lifestyle changes

• Keep blood sugar in target range if you have diabetes

• Use medicines like ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and SGLT2 inhibitors when prescribed to reduce protein in urine and protect the kidneys

• Aim for a moderate, kidney-friendly diet lower in sodium and ultra-processed foods

• Stay active most days of the week

• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol

• Avoid long-term or high-dose use of NSAIDs unless your doctor approves

You may see advice online that claims to “reverse CKD” completely. While labs can improve and symptoms alleviate, it is clear that CKD damage is permanent. The goal then is to prevent it from progressing further and not to expect that the kidneys will return back to its normal state.

That said, searching for how to reverse CKD naturally or treatment options for CKD reflect a strong desire for control. You can use that energy by building habits that protect your kidneys day after day, and by tracking progress with lab tests and at-home tools.

Are there situations where kidney disease can be reversed?

You may feel some hope when you hear that kidney damage can sometimes get better. There are real situations where function improves and “almost” returns to normal. But you need to set realistic expectations. These instances are only possible when kidney disease is still at its early stages.

The key here is to know exactly which conditions are likely to improve and which are not. Like mentioned, acute problems (e.g., drug-induced, infection-related) and early stage disease have the most potential for recovery.

Can acute kidney injury be reversed with treatment?

It is normal to be hopeful when AKI can heal if treated quickly. This is often true, but the timing and cause matter a lot.

AKI is often reversible when:

• The cause is short-term, such as severe dehydration, infection, or certain medicines

• HCPs act fast to correct blood pressure, fluids, and infections

• There was no major long-term disease in the kidneys prior to the event

So, with prompt treatment, many patients see their creatinine level fall and eGFR climb back toward baseline over days or weeks. Some may need temporary dialysis while the kidneys rest, then recover function once the trigger has been removed.

Can kidney disease be reversed after dialysis starts?

One of the common worries of patients today is whether dialysis is permanent after kidney disease. In acute situations (e.g., AKI), the dialysis is temporary, and the dialysis stops once the kidney recovers and function stabilizes.

However, this is more commonly seen in AKI than in CKD. In patients with end-stage CKD, often dialysis or transplant is a long-term therapy. The damaged kidney does regenerate or grow back. But careful management can still help you feel better and live longer.

What treatments or lifestyle changes can slow kidney disease progression?

Medication and lifestyle work together seamlessly when the plan is clear. The progression of CKD to end-stage can be profoundly slowed. Some people may remain stable for many years when they follow a solid healthcare plan.

Which medicines help protect kidney function?

If you are suffering from chronic diseases, you may already be taking several pills and feel unsure which ones actually help your kidneys. It helps to understand the main medicine classes and what they really do.

Common kidney protective medicines include:

• ACE inhibitors, such as lisinopril or enalapril, which lower blood pressure and reduce protein loss in urine

• ARBs, such as losartan or valsartan, which also protect kidney filters

• SGLT2 inhibitors, such as empagliflozin or dapagliflozin, which were first used for diabetes but now are known to protect the kidneys even in some people without diabetes

• Diuretics, which help manage fluid balance and blood pressure

• Statins, which help lower cholesterol and reduce heart risk, important in CKD

Your doctor chooses these based on your stage of CKD, blood pressure, blood sugar, heart health, and other conditions. Never stop kidney medicines on your own, and always ask before starting new drugs, including over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers or supplements.

Can you reverse kidney disease with diet and lifestyle?

Short answer, no. When kidney disease sets in, it cannot be reversed. Your kidneys cannot regenerate and tissue scarring cannot be rebuilt. However, with diet and lifestyle modifications, you can slow down the progression, especially when it is found in its early stages.

So, a more realistic way to view this is that food can help you:

• Control blood sugar and pressure

• Reduce swelling and fluid overload

• Lower levels of waste products between dialysis sessions in you are on dialysis

• Support heart and blood vessel health

Key diet steps usually include:

• Lower sodium intake by limiting fast food, restaurant meals, and package snacks

• Choosing fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables instead of canned versions with added salt

• Eating more home cooked meals with simple ingredients

• Working with a renal dietitian to tailor protein, phosphorus, and potassium levels to your labs and stage

Moving your body regularly also supports better blood pressure, weight, and mood. Even 20 to 30 minutes of walking most days can help.

What lifestyle changes make the biggest difference?

Focusing on a few high-impact activities can feel more realistic. Changes that often have the biggest effect include:

• Stopping smoking, which harms the blood  vessels in the kidneys and the whole body

• Keeping a healthy weight through food and activity

• Limiting alcohol to one drink per day or less (no binge drinking)

• Monitoring your blood pressure at home and bringing readings to visits

• Taking medicines exactly as prescribed

• Using tools like at home urine strips to track protein or other markers between visits

When you think about treatment options for reversing early stage kidney disease, remember that daily life choices are a part of it too. They work alongside lab monitoring to help you hold on to as much kidney function as possible.

How do at-home urine test strips help monitor kidney health?

You may be curious if at-home urine test strips add real value or just cause unnecessary worry. Used correctly, at-home urine test strips can give you early clues about changes in kidney health and help you respond faster.

They work especially well when you already know you have risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, or a history of protein in your urine. Monitoring at home fits together with your other proactive health choices and regular labs and doctors’ visits.

What do urine test strips measure for kidney disease?

There are colorful pads, called reagent pads, on a plastic strip for urine test strips. Each of these pads check for different markers found in the urine.

For kidney health, common qualitative measurement include:

• Protein, especially albumin, which can signal kidney filter damage

• Blood, which can hint stones, infection, or inflammation

• Nitrites, which suggest infection

• Specific gravity, which reflects how concentrated or dilute your urine is

• pH, which shows how acidic or basic your urine is

• Glucose or ketones, which may relate to diabetes control

For example, if you have diabetes and CKD, seeing protein present in the strips can prompt you to contact your HCP sooner.

When is lab testing preferred vs at-home testing?

There are limitations to using at-home urine tests. There will be times when it won’t be enough and should prompt you to do a full lab workup. While both lab testing and at-home testing play separate but interconnected roles, understanding these roles will help you choose wisely.

At-home testing is most useful when you:

• Already know you are at risk for kidney disease

• Have a history of protein in the urine

• Want to monitor changes between scheduled lab draws

• Need motivation to stick with diet and medicine plans

Lab tests are preferred when you:

• Need exact, quantitative (numeric) measurements of protein or albumin in urine

• Need an accurate eGFR and full kidney panel

• Have concerning new symptoms, such as swelling, sudden weight gain, or shortness of breath

• Need testing for specific diseases or complications

Think of home strips as your early warning tool. They can support regular lab testing, not replace it. If you see repeated abnormal results, especially rising protein or blood, it is important to contact your HCP.

What signs should prompt you to seek medical attention for kidney disease?

Kidney disease can be silent early, but there are symptoms that should always get your attention. If you feel “off” for more than a few days, especially with risk factors like diabetes or high blood pressure, reach out to your care team.

What early symptoms could suggest kidney problems?

You may not feel anything until kidney function falls quite a bit. Still, some early signs can show up if you pay close attention.

These can include:

• Foamy or bubbly urine, which can signal protein loss

• Frequent urination at night

• Mild swelling in your feet, ankles, or around the eyes

• Feeling more tired than usual

• Trouble concentrating

• Loss of appetite or a metallic taste in your mouth

These symptoms can have many causes, but if they last or get worse, it is worth checking your kidneys with blood and urine tests.

What are red flag symptoms that need urgent care?

It is better to get checked and find nothing serious than to wait too long with a real problem or if it’s too late.

Contact urgent care or go to the nearest emergency room department if you notice:

• Sudden drop in urine output or no urine for 12 hours or even more

• Severe shortness of breath

• Chest pain or pressure

• Severe swelling in legs, feet, or around the eyes

• Confusion, extreme sleepiness, or difficulty waking up

• High blood pressure readings much higher than your normal, especially with symptoms

If you have an at-home blood pressure cuff or urine test strips, bring the recent readings with you. They help your HCPs see any pattern over time.

Conclusion

Can kidney disease be reversed? The honest answer respects both the limits and the real hope in current care. You need to remember that chronic kidney disease is usually not reversible, but its progression can be slowed down substantially. Acute kidney injury, on the other hand, is often reversible if treated correctly and quickly. Even early stages of kidney disease can give you the best chance of improving and substantially prevent further damage. If you combine medical treatment with daily habits and monitoring, you can significantly improve your condition. Using at-home urine tests can be a simple and practical way to monitor your kidney health in between your doctor’s appointment.

Related Resources

Is Kidney Disease Genetic? Role of Family History

Can Kidney Disease Cause Weight Gain? Insights on Connection

Quick Summary Box

• Chronic kidney disease usually cannot be fully reversed, but its progression can often be slowed or stabilized.

• Acute kidney injury often improves with fast treatment, and kidney function can sometimes return close to baseline.

• Searches such as can kidney disease be reversed in early stages reflect real hope, and early treatment offers the best chance to protect remaining function.

• Diet, exercise, and medicines like ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and SGLT2 inhibitors work together to support your kidneys.

• At home urine strips are a practical way to track kidney related changes and start conversations with your care team sooner.

 

References

References

Aeddula, N., & Vaidya, S. (2024, July 31). Chronic kidney disease. National Library of Medicine; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535404/ 

Berg, S. (2023, March 3). What doctors wish patients knew about kidney disease prevention. American Medical Association. https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/prevention-wellness/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-kidney-disease-prevention 

John Hopkins Medicine. (2024). Chronic Kidney Disease. Www.hopkinsmedicine.org. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/chronic-kidney-disease 

Malkina, A. (2023, October). Chronic Kidney Disease - Kidney and Urinary Tract Disorders. MSD Manual Consumer Version. https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders/kidney-failure/chronic-kidney-disease 

National Health Service. (2019). Treatment - chronic kidney disease. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/treatment/ 

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2016, October). Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/causes 

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2017). What Is Chronic Kidney Disease? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/what-is-chronic-kidney-disease 

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018, June). Your Kidneys & How They Work. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidneys-how-they-work 

UPMC. (2025). Acute Kidney Injury Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments. UPMC | Life Changing Medicine. https://www.upmc.com/services/kidney-disease/conditions/acute-kidney-injury 

Zhang, Y., He, D., Zhang, W., Xing, Y., Guo, Y., Wang, F., Jia, J., Yan, T., Liu, Y., & Lin, S. (2020). ACE Inhibitor Benefit to Kidney and Cardiovascular Outcomes for Patients with Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 3–5: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomised Clinical Trials. Drugs, 80(8), 797–811. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-020-01290-3 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What damages your kidneys?

A: Diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, certain medicines, repeated dehydration, severe infections, blocked urine flow, and some genetic or autoimmune diseases can damage kidneys.

Q: Can kidney disease be reversed after dialysis?

A: Dialysis for acute kidney injury can sometimes be temporary if the kidneys recover. Dialysis for advanced chronic kidney disease is usually long term unless you receive a transplant.

Q: When should I see a nephrologist?

A: See a kidney specialist if your eGFR is under 60 for three months, if you have significant protein in your urine, or if your kidney function is falling quickly.