by Laney Bender (Author) Steps to Avoid Dialysis and Prolong Kidney Function Even though getting diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) might appear scary, you can take certain steps to prolong your kidney function and delay the onset of dialysis if you catch the disease in its early stages. Some of the main causes of CKD in Americans are high blood pressure and diabetes. In order to prolong kidney function, these diseases should be controlled. * Following a renal diet - The main aim of a pre-dialysis diet is to maintain optimum nutrition. A renal diet is one that has a low content of protein, phosphorus, and sodium and emphasizes the importance of limiting the intake of fluids and consuming high-quality protein.