Our kidneys are the workhorses of our bodies, filtering out toxins and waste while helping maintain a healthy balance of essential minerals and electrolytes. But when our kidneys are struggling with chronic disease, it can be difficult to manage. What steps can those with chronic kidney disease take to ensure they’re continuing to support their health on both a diet and medication level? In this article, we’ll provide resources, tips, and advice so you can take control and manage your chronic kidney disease.
1. Taking Charge Of Chronic Kidney Disease
Living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be a difficult experience; from managing your symptoms to understanding how to best take care of your health. It can be especially intimidating when first diagnosed, and understanding the different options available to maintain your health is no small task. Here are some useful tips on how to take charge of your CKD.
- Talk to your physician: Your doctor can provide important information about the severity of your condition and the necessary treatment plan going forward. They will be able to answer any questions you have and discuss your options more in-depth.
- Research your condition: Taking the time to learn more about CKD and how your particular type is treated is very useful. Understanding more about your condition will equip you with the knowledge needed to make important decisions.
- Escalate your diet: Eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated is never more important than when it comes to maintaining your kidney health. Consider considering a urinary alkalinizing diet or modifying your current diet to include ingredients that are beneficial to your condition.
- Maintain regular check ups: Even if you may be feeling good, having regular tests and checkups are extremely important. This allows your doctor to monitor your kidney health closely and make any adjustments needed if your condition progresses.
Chronic kidney disease can drastically limit your independence, but with a few simple steps you can take charge of your condition. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any potential treatments or lifestyle changes that could help improve your health.
2. Dietary Strategies To Help Manage CKD
Once you are diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), it is important to adjust your diet accordingly. Here are some dietary strategies to help manage your condition:
- Cut back on salt: High levels of sodium can raise your blood pressure. Eating too much salt can also cause fluids to be retained, leading to swelling in feet, hands, and face, which is bad for kidney health. Cut down on processed and packaged foods which are usually loaded with salt. Instead, add more natural herbs and spices to your food to enhance its taste.
- Limit Protein Intake: Kidneys are responsible for filtering proteins. Whether you have CKD or not, it’s important to limit your consumption of proteins like beef, poultry, pork, fish, eggs, and dairy. Consider a plant-based protein diet as a better option. Try incorporating legumes, nuts, and tofu into your meals.
- Watch portion sizes: Generally, when people are faced with a chronic condition, they tend to overindulge on food as a coping mechanism. You do not need to do this. Eating too much will add to your weight and worsen your condition. So, watch how much you eat. Many kidney disease patients are recommended a low-protein and low-carbohydrate diet.
- Include healthy fats: Too much saturated to unhealthy fats should be avoided, but unsaturated fats can be important in a CKD diet. They help in reducing any cardiovascular risks and boost your energy. Eating foods like nut butters, avocados, and olive oil can provide you with the right type of fat.
It is also important to include plenty of fiber in your CKD diet. Fibers help in proper digestion and also aid in reducing glucose levels. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains should be part of your diet. Avoid artificial sweeteners, as they can lead to an imbalance in electrolytes. Finally, dehydration is something you should watch out for, so make sure you’re consuming fluids properly.
3. Learning To Navigate Medications
More than ever before, medications have become an integral part of our lives. Depending on our age and health, we may find ourselves relying on drugs of various kinds to help address our needs. It is important to understand how these medications impact our lives, not only for safety and knowledge sake, but also to ensure that the drugs we take are helping to provide us with the best possible outcome.
In order to do that, it helps to get familiar with the different kinds of medications out there, their interactions with each other, and the potential consequences they may have. Failure to do so can lead to over- or under-medicating, an increased risk of medical side effects, or in worst cases, death.
Fortunately, there is a lot of helpful information on the subject of medications to be found. For instance:
- Speak to your doctor to get the full story on your specific prescribing regimen.
- Read up on the side effects and contraindications of a drug you are taking before taking it.
- Ask a pharmacist if you have any questions relating to a drug’s use or its interaction with other drugs.
- Seek out advice from reliable sources, such as medlinePlus, on any medication before taking it.
These steps can help you make the most informed decisions when it comes to staying safe while taking medications.
4. Unlocking The Potential Of Alternative Therapies
Alternative therapies offer many potential advantages to those seeking a more natural and holistic approach to improving and maintaining their health. While these therapies may lack the scientific backing of conventional medical treatments, they can still provide an invaluable source of healing and relief to those participating.
- Energy Medicine – Energy medicine therapies, such as reiki, pranic healing and aura healing, have been used for centuries in some cultures. These therapies are focused on restoring balance and harmony among the body’s energy systems. It is believed that when the body’s systems are out of balance, illness or discomfort can be the result. By restoring balance and harmony among the body’s energy system, healing and relief can be achieved.
- Herbal Remedies – Herbal remedies are a form of alternative therapy that involve the use of plants or plant extracts to treat a variety of ailments. Herbs have been used for thousands of years in various cultures and many have been thoroughly researched for their effectiveness in treating illnesses or providing relief. Common herbs used in remedies are ginger, turmeric, ginkgo, green tea, chamomile, garlic, and more.
- Homeopathy– Homeopathy is an alternative therapy that has been around since the 1700s and is based on the belief that any substances that induce symptoms of a particular illness can be used in small quantities, or “potencies,” to treat and cure that same illness. Homeopathic remedies are often used to treat physical, mental, and emotional ailments.
- Aromatherapy – Aromatherapy is a popular alternative therapy used to heal and bring relief to people who suffer from a variety of physical and emotional ailments. Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils, which are derived from plants, to create a pleasant aroma that can help relieve stress, pain, and insomnia, while promoting a sense of wellbeing.
While each of these therapies may have different effects on different individuals, many report positive effects from their use. Alternative therapies are an increasingly popular option for those who are looking for a natural and holistic approach to health and well-being. With more research and scientific backing, the potential of these therapies can be fully unlocked.
5. Activating A Support Network For Long-Term Care
Having a support network is essential for anyone caring for a loved one for the long-term. Caring can be emotionally and physically draining, and having a supportive team in place ensures that you can find the strength to make it through each day. Here are five ways to activate a support network for long-term care:
- Talk To People: Reach out to your family and friends and ask if they’d be willing to help you with caregiving duties. Have an open conversation to discuss what you’ll need help with.
- Join A Support Group: Support groups are great places to share experiences and find understanding in situations where you might feel lonely. Look for your local social services organization and reach out for help finding a group.
- Hire A Caregiver: Sometimes you need additional help from professional caregivers when you or your loved one needs ongoing, specialized care. Reach out to your local senior care services for help in finding a qualified caregiver.
- Engage With Your Community: Utilize your community resources and get involved with any local activities or groups that might help you in terms of providing some sense of emotional support.
- Look For Government Assistance: Research organizations and programs at the state and local level that provide long-term care and financial support. Often, these organizations are available to help with some of the costs associated with long-term care.
By , you can take steps to ensure that you and your loved one will receive the care and support necessary for a successful journey.
Living with chronic kidney disease can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right diet and medication management, you can make sure your kidneys stay healthy and functioning optimally. Take charge of your health and start managing your chronic kidney disease today.
