{"id":5653,"date":"2019-04-22T11:27:13","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T11:27:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=5653"},"modified":"2019-11-05T13:55:36","modified_gmt":"2019-11-05T13:55:36","slug":"20-tips-for-living-easier-with-renal-failure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/20-tips-for-living-easier-with-renal-failure\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Tips for Living Easier with Renal Failure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Living with chronic kidney disease or renal failure is a challenge for any patient. However, it\u2019s possible to maintain a functional lifestyle with the disease, provided that you receive some advice about how to manage your activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People living with renal failure or kidney disease need to understand that they have limitations of what they can do with their body. You\u2019ll need to make some minor changes in how you take care of yourself, as well as the foods you eat, and the people you hang around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kidney disease only reaches the advanced stage of renal failure in people that continue a self-destructive lifestyle. Keeping your kidneys as healthy as possible should be your top priority, so \u2013 it makes sense to do all you can to make the necessary changes to your habits and environment to ensure longevity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are eight tips for living easier with renal failure and kidney disease.
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1.    Medication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are living with chronic kidney disease need to adhere to a medication schedule to ensure their condition does not progress to renal failure. Most of the medications prescribed by your doctor are critical for maintaining your kidney health and preventing future complications with the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speak to your physician if you\u2019re currently using any medications or supplements off of your recommended therapy drug list. Some supplements may affect the way the treatment drugs work, reducing their efficacy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s vital that patients take their medication, even if they are not feeling unwell. Before you start your drug protocol, your physician will ask you about your medical history and check for any existing allergies that may conflict with any medication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have any concerns about the drugs you\u2019re taking, speak to your doctor about the contra-indications and side effects of the drugs, and what you can expect during your treatment.
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2.    Examine Your Diet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your diet plays a significant role in the health of your kidneys. Visit a nutritionist for evaluation of what you\u2019re currently eating. It\u2019s best for patients with CKD to avoid eating refined carbohydrates, such as sugar and white flour. These foodstuffs create inflammation in the digestive system that spreads to other areas of the body \u2013 including the kidneys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toss out the sugar and unhealthy carbs \u2013 replace them with whole grains and sprouts. If you do enjoy sugar in your morning cup of green tea, try swapping it out for raw honey or stevia instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with kidney disease should avoid foods containing oxalates. Beets and rhubarb are examples of vegetables that feature excellent health benefits for most individuals \u2013 but they are not suitable for patients with CKD, due to the presence of oxalates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reduce your protein intake \u2013 as the kidneys may have issues processing large quantities of protein. Focus on consuming healthy fats, such as nuts, high-quality oils, and fatty fish that contain Omega-3 fatty acids.
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3.    Get Regular Exercise and Stay Hydrated<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ensure that you maintain your level of physical activity during your treatment. If you previously led a sedentary lifestyle void of exercise, you may notice significant improvements in your health, should you start exercising regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with minor symptoms of CKD can exercise with the same intensity as a healthy person. However, as the disease progresses, you may have to scale back your workout intensity, as you may start to feel tired and fatigued faster than a healthy individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s vital that you remain hydrated at all times of the day. Dehydration places a significant strain on the kidneys and may accelerate the progression of your condition. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water every day, with more on training days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy yourself a reverse osmosis water filter. This filter removes 99.9-percent of all harmful pathogens, particles, and heavy metals from your water while introducing vital minerals and increasing the pH to alkaline levels beneficial for your kidney health.
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4.    Quit Smoking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cigarette smoking is responsible for nearly half a million deaths in the United States every year. Smoking not only harms your lungs and heart, but it can also accelerate your kidney disease as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cigarettes contain over 7,000 chemicals, and many of them remain unstudied due to pressure from tobacco lobbyists. These chemicals enter your bloodstream through absorption in the lungs, and your kidneys are responsible for clearing this toxic load.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trying to eliminate 7,000 toxins from the blood is a strenuous task, and as a result, you may increase the pace of your kidney disease. Since your kidneys are already in a vulnerable state, these toxins can cause an infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you smoke tobacco products and have a CKD diagnosis, speak to your doctor for advice on smoking cessation. Your physician may prescribe additional drugs to help you stop smoking, or provide you with details to an effective cessation program.
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5.    Stop Drinking Alcohol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some CKD guidelines state that people living with the disease may still consume alcohol in moderation, without increasing their risk of developing renal failure. The guidelines stipulate that the patient sticks to 14-units of alcohol a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this advice seems a bit sketchy, and we think that anyone with kidney disease should avoid consuming alcohol altogether. Alcohol is harsh on your kidneys and liver and gives them more work to do to filter out the toxins, such as the sulfites found in red wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alcohol causes numerous chemical reactions in the body and increases urination. Both of these factors make drinking undesirable for people who are living with CKD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you currently drink heavily, then speak to your doctor about treatments to reduce your intake and eventually quit drinking. Alcoholics are at risk of developing CKD and liver disease as well, so \u2013 know when it\u2019s time to stop drinking, it could save your life.
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6.    Make Sure You Are Vaccinated<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are living with CKD, place a significant strain on their kidney function. As a result, they are more prone to developing bacterial and viral infections. Should the patient come down with a case of the flu, bronchitis, or pneumonia \u2013 they run the risk of developing complications with the disease due to the kidneys weakened condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trying to battle a severe infection while dealing with the effects of CKD can place you at a high risk of developing life-threatening complications. Medical professionals recommend that all CKD patients receive a pneumococcal vaccination to ensure they receive protection against aggressive viral and bacterial infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speak to your doctor about vaccines, and ask their advice on whether or not you should vaccinate against pneumococcal disease, and how it will affect your treatment. Most people living with CKD will benefit from the vaccine \u2013 however, some may have an allergy to the contents of the vaccine, making them unsuitable for vaccination.
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7.    Receive Regular Check-Ups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s vital that patients who are living with CKD develop a relationship with their physician. Throughout the rest of your life, you\u2019ll require treatments and checkups to monitor your condition. Failing to obtain your regular check-up places you at risk of developing complications of the disease of which you are unaware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your doctor is your lifeline to longevity, and refusing treatment can end up taking years off of your life, and may even result in the development of renal failure. Your doctor works with CKD patients every day, and they have seen every complication and symptoms the disease presents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s vital to keep up with your medical appointments \u2013 you may feel fine, but your bloodwork may tell a different story. There\u2019s no need to place yourself at risk when all it takes to maintain your health is a trip to the doctor\u2019s office once or twice a month to check your kidney function and general health.
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8.    Find Some Support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being that CKD has the potential to be a terminal disease, coming to terms with your condition can take a toll on your emotional state and mental health. Individuals that find out their life now has limitations may suddenly fall into a depression where they can\u2019t understand how they are now a victim of a chronic disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, dealing with these negative emotions all day long may ruin your sense of self-worth, and as a result \u2013 you may start to miss therapy and treatment sessions as you give up on life. It\u2019s important to note that most people with CKD can avoid progressing to renal failure with the right treatment and lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have recently received a CKD diagnosis, find someone to talk to about your emotions and thoughts. It could be a friend or family member that you confide in \u2013 or if you live in an area with no friends or relatives, seek out a licensed clinical psychologist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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