Living a full life after a chronic kidney disease diagnosis
Learning that you have any disease can be a disheartening experience. However, when you are diagnosed with an early stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) there are many things that you can do to slow its progression, and live a full life. By being conscientious about your health care and lifestyle choices, you can positively affect your quality of life when you have chronic kidney disease.
Tips for living a full life with chronic kidney disease
Here are a few basic tips that may help you slow the progression of chronic kidney disease and live a happier life:
- Knowledge is power - Learn all you can about kidney disease and its treatments.
- Honesty is key - Communicate openly with your health care team and ask the same from them.
- Make lifestyle changes – Be attentive in learning your kidney care plan, take your prescribed medicine, follow the kidney diet and make other recommended changes.
- Think positive - Fill your life with people and things that make you happy. Staying positive is one of the best choices you can make when you have chronic kidney disease.
Knowledge helps you live a full and happy life
When it comes to chronic kidney disease, there is much to learn, from what type of medicine you need to how you make your diet more kidney-friendly. If you continue to learn all you can about chronic kidney disease, you may feel better equipped to deal with it head on. Ask your health care team any questions you may have. You can also go online to see if there are local support groups that meet in discussion forums or in person.
Communicate honestly with your health care team
Your health care team is there to help you manage your chronic kidney disease. It is best to communicate honestly with them so they can best treat the disease.
The kidney diet, medication and other lifestyle tips
Getting answers and guidance to know what to do when you find out you have chronic kidney disease helps you feel more in control of your health. This includes changing your eating habits to include more kidney-friendly foods. To keep your kidneys functioning for as long as possible, it is essential to learn about protein, sodium, phosphorus and potassium, along with knowing how these nutrients make a difference in your health.
Depending on what stage of chronic kidney disease you’re in, your renal dietitian will adjust the amounts of protein, sodium, phosphorus and potassium in your diet. In addition, carbohydrates and fats may be controlled based on conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The CKD non-dialysis diet includes calculated amounts of high quality protein. Damaged kidneys have a difficult time getting rid of protein waste products, so cutting back on non-essential protein will put less stress on your kidneys.
Studies confirm that keeping your blood pressure in check can help slow the progression of kidney disease, especially if you have diabetes and/or proteinuria (protein in the urine). According to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) guidelines, you should keep your blood pressure at or below 130/85 if you have kidney disease, and at or below 125/75 if you also have diabetes and/or proteinuria.
Along with taking your prescribed blood pressure medications, lifestyle changes such as losing weight, exercising, meditating, eating less sodium, drinking less alcohol and quitting smoking can help lower blood pressure. Better blood pressure control helps preserve kidney function.
If you have diabetes, tighter management of your blood glucose level can help slow the progression of kidney disease. It is important to keep your hemoglobin A1c at less than 6.5% or at the level established with your doctor, and closely monitor your blood glucose to avoid hypoglycemia. Ask your doctor or diabetes educator about your diabetes treatment goals and options.
Think positive after your diagnosis
After being diagnosed with an early stage of chronic kidney disease, you are in a good position to take control of your health. Having a positive attitude and surrounding yourself with a support system is necessary to help you live your life to its fullest. As you have learned, there are many ways to slow the progression of kidney disease. Keeping your kidney diet in mind, taking your medicines, controlling any other health issues you may have and changing some lifestyle habits can help. You will have a team of kidney health care professionals on your side to help you every step of the way.
Related articles on DaVita.com
- 20 tips for a good life
- Diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease
- Support groups for people living with kidney disease
- The CKD non-dialysis diet
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