Some lifestyle changes can play a major role in destressing your kidney and preventing progression of kidney failure. People may go to vacations and enjoy a comfortable life even if they are under dialysis if they are self disciplined. Patient and their family members must jointly put efforts to manage a healthy lifestyle. One must remember that infection in any form or type causes a shock to the kidney, so one must stay protected from cold, flu, diarrhea to the extent possible by living in a clean environment, eating light fresh home cooked food, and following proper medication as prescribed by the doctor, do meditation, accept your limitations and then adjust your lifestyle accordingly to stay fit and healthy.
It is important for patients diagnosed with CKD to contain diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, and have proper diet as per their stage of kidney disease. It is important to note that before dialysis, fluid intake is strictly limited and protein intake is also limited. This means that red meat, lentils (daal) and other protein rich food should be removed from the diet. Also, salt intake should be reduced to minimum. For taste, rock salt may be used. When a patient undergoes dialysis, the body’s protein requirement increase. Dialysis patients should consume sufficient amount of protein to replenish the protein washed away during dialysis.
Smoking shall substantially reduce kidney’s remaining ability to function and might expedite kidney failure. It is very important to quit smoking as soon as one is diagnosed with kidney disease. For addicts, professional advice may be sought from health care professionals.
Exercise, as permitted by doctor, must be carried out to keep the kidneys healthy. Walking is the best option. Maintaining a healthy weight also helps in delaying progression of kidney disease.
Reducing stress by meditation, joining a social group, staying fit, helps in combating kidney disease progression. Avoid thermal shock to the body like roaming around in excessive high temperature to avoid trauma to the kidney.
Read the diet section to learn more about the dietary requirements of kidney patients.
For dialysis patients, the following is recommended:
- Have a high protein snack and your phosphate binders ready to eat after dialysis as per your doctor’s prescription.
- Take appointment with renal dietitian and diabetes educator.
- Check your blood sugar regularly, record the results, look for patterns and share the results with your doctor
- Distribute the carbohydrates foods you eat evenly throughout the day; eat regularly.
- Get to a healthy weight for your body size and type.
- Get regular checkups (feet, eyes, dental, blood analysis).
- Become physically active by walking and permissible light yoga or free hand exercise (make sure to discuss this with your doctor before starting anything new). There is no need to undertake rigorous exercises which makes you thirsty and is strenous for your body. Do remember that any kind of stress of strain to the body is subtly affecting your kidney adversely.
- Follow your doctor’s guidelines for taking insulin and/or oral medications.
- Manage stress. Spend time with family, friends, listen to music, write letters, experiment with cooking a healthy recipe, walk in the garden, clear the clutter, and do whatever makes you happy.
- Create awareness of your own body and live life accordingly. Feel good.
FLUID INTAKE RESTRICTIONS
Once hemodialysis is started, it is very important to watch one’s fluid intake, because kidneys cannot get rid of all the excess fluid as urine. In addition the dialysis treatment is limited in the total amount of fluid that can be removed each session. It can be a challenge for dialysis patients to find the right balance of fluid intake. This is where one can rely on treatment team for support and guidance. One approach to controlling thirst is to limit salt intake. Dietician can help identify hidden sources of salt and educate a patient and their family about alternatives, ie herbal seasoning, etc.
In addition to a new awareness of fluid and salt intake, one must learn about helpful dietary changes to make. Choosing foods that are lower in potassium and phosphorous will be important. Dietitian will provide individualized menu planning based on patient’s weight, food preferences, kidney function, and other medical diagnoses.