KIDNEY KNOWLEDGE SERIES - (16)

LIVING WITH KIDNEY FAILURE

Q:     What is the healthy eating plan?

A:    

·        A healthy eating plan will influence how you feel and how well your treatment works.

·        What’s important to know, is that there is no standard kidney eating plan. If you are undergoing treatment for early stage kidney failure, your doctor and nutritionist will work together to design a healthy eating plan that’s right for you. This eating plan will be based on the stage of your disease, the cause of your kidney failure and other treatments or medications that you are using.

·        The eating plan will focus on balancing proteins, minerals and calories to maintain muscle tissue, blood pressure, bone strength and energy.

Q:     What kind of sport and exercise can I engage in?

A:     Physical activity will give you the strength, energy and motivation to participate in daily activities, helping to avoid the fatigue that can sometimes result from kidney failure. The benefits of exercise include:

1.     Improved strength and fitness

2.     Lower blood pressure

3.     Better sleep

4.     Lowered fat levels in the blood

5.     Higher energy levels.

·        Your doctor will let you know what is appropriate, particularly if you don’t already participate regularly in physical activity.

Q:     What of kidney failure and intimacy?

A:

·        Kidney failure and subsequent treatments can adversely affect personal relationships and intimacy by changing how you feel about yourself and sex.

·        Emotionally, chemical changes resulting from kidney failure can lower your libido, while stress from dialysis can cause tension in your relationships, creating barriers to intimacy and effective communication. While lowered libido is common among those who experience kidney failure, discussing these issues with your partner will help to maintain a healthy relationship.

Q:     How will Kidney failure affect my lifestyle?

A:     If you are living with kidney failure, you may need to make some changes to your lifestyle to reduce the risk of further kidney damage.

1.     Quitting smoking

2.     Limiting alcohol

3.     Weight reduction if overweight

4.     Strict control of Diabetes and High Blood Pressure if afflicted

5.     Use of specific types of blood pressure pills to slow down progression of disease.

Q:     How can I travel safely with Kidney Failure?

A:      If you are living with kidney failure, travel for whatever purpose does not need to be ruled out. You can still enjoy domestic or international trips with a little extra planning.

o   Some smart travel tips are listed below:

·        Plan well ahead wherever possible and factor your treatments into your itinerary

·        Take enough medication with you to last the whole trip, and some extra in case of a spill or unexpected delay

·        Make sure you pack your medication in your own carry-on luggage in case you become separated from your suitcase or travelling companion/s

·        Keep in touch with your friends and family and advice them of any changes to your travel plans.

o   If you are travelling abroad you should also consider the following:

·        Discuss your travel plans with your doctor at least six weeks before departure to determine any vaccines you may need and how these could affect your treatment

·        Check that your medications are legal in the countries that you are visiting by contacting the country’s embassy or high commission

·        Carry a letter from your doctor detailing what your medication is, how much you’ll be taking and stating that it is for your own personal use

·        Keep all of your medication in their original packaging so they are clearly labeled with your name and dosage instructions.

Q:     How can I stay informed about kidney failure?

A:    

·        Being pro-active and keeping up-to-date with the latest information on kidney failure will help you to better understand your condition and treatment options.

·        Visiting your doctor regularly and reading relevant information will keep you one step ahead in the health and wellbeing stakes and help prevent further kidney damage.