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Bethenny Frankel is no stranger to sharing her honest thoughts. Throughout her career, she\u2019s spoken candidly about the good, the bad, the laughable and everything in between. Now, she\u2019s sharing something far more personal: she\u2019s been diagnosed with stage 2 chronic kidney disease.<\/p>\n
Fans have come to know Frankel for her quippy TikTok chats, but her latest post struck a more somber tone. The former Real Housewives of New York<\/em> star shared that after routine bloodwork and medical testing, she learned her kidney function was lower than normal.<\/p>\n Upon hearing the news, Frankel admits she was hesitant to pursue further testing, a feeling many can relate to. \u201cI was told I had a doctor\u2019s appointment with a kidney specialist and I didn\u2019t want to go,\u201d she says. But her team urged her to go and learn more. \u201cWhen I went, he [the doctor] said to me, \u2018You have stage 2 chronic kidney disease,\u2019\u201d she recounts. During the appointment, the specialist explained that her condition could stem from a range of factors, including a previous allergic reaction, urinary tract issues or an autoimmune disorder.<\/p>\n According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, the kidneys filter the blood and remove waste, and staying adequately hydrated helps support that process. Frankel says her doctor echoed that guidance. \u201cWater is your medicine. You have to drink about a liter and a half a day,\u201d she explains. <\/p>\n True to form, Frankel kept it real, admitting that while she\u2019s often spotted with a water bottle and hydration packets, she doesn\u2019t actually drink much water. She also shared that she\u2019s had urinary tract infections in the past, though not as frequently now\u2014an important detail given the kidneys\u2019 role in the urinary system.<\/p>\n By sharing her diagnosis, the Skinnygirl founder says her goal isn\u2019t to alarm fans, but to encourage them to stay on top of their own health. \u201cI want you to take precautions in your own life and be mindful,\u201d she says. \u201cMaybe this is something I\u2019ll have to deal with my whole life. But I wanted to share because I think it\u2019s important to go get all of your bloodwork done.\u201d<\/p>\n