Prevention

If you have polycystic kidney disease and you're considering having children, a genetic counselor can help you assess your risk of passing the disease to your offspring.

Keeping your kidneys as healthy as possible may help prevent some of the complications of this disease. One of the most important ways you can protect your kidneys is by managing your blood pressure.

Here are some tips for keeping your blood pressure in check:

• Take the blood pressure medications prescribed by your doctor as directed.
• Eat a low-salt diet containing plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Ask your doctor what the right weight is for you.
• If you smoke, quit.
• Exercise regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week.
• Limit alcohol use.