After CKD Diagnosis: What Now?

Your kidneys may be as small as a computer mouse, but they play a huge role in maintaining your overall health.

They keep your blood clean and free from toxins. They also eliminate excess fluids from the body. Plus, they help manage your blood pressure, ensure the steady production of red blood cells, and strengthen your bones. 

Well-functioning kidneys are to the body what a well-oiled machine is to a vehicle. Inversely, when your kidneys conk out, your essential bodily functions are affected as well. This is what happens in people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). 

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

CKD refers to the condition where your kidneys are not working as they should. Due to impaired functions, the kidneys are not able to efficiently filter blood and dispense waste materials through the urine. This can result in the buildup of waste in the blood and other disorders, like stroke and heart disease. 

CKD is a common condition in the US, plaguing 37 million American adults according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s described as ‘chronic’ since the condition is long term. 

If you have CKD, you may also become prone to the following health conditions:

When your kidneys shut down completely, you need to either get on dialysis or have a kidney transplant to survive. The advanced stage of CKD resulting in kidney failure is called end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

What are the Symptoms of CKD?

The thing about Chronic Kidney Disease is that it can sneak up on anyone without warning. People who have stages 1 to 3 CKD (meaning mild to moderate levels) might not feel any kind of uneasiness, as kidney disease symptoms most often don’t emerge until stages 4 and 5.

During the advanced stages, you may experience these telltale signs:

As in any kidney-friendly meal plan, your daily vegetarian meals should nourish your body with adequate amounts of protein and a healthy balance of sodium, phosphorus, and potassium. We highly encourage that you cook your own meals using fresh ingredients.

• Muscle cramps
• Weight loss
• Difficulty in concentration
• Poor appetite
• Dry and itchy skin
• Swollen feet and ankles due to fluid retention
• Puffiness around the eyes

In addition, when your kidney functions start to decline, nutrient imbalance between calcium, phosphate and other chemicals can be observed which may result in tiredness and bone fractures.

It’s Never Too Late to Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle!

However, the good news is that people with kidney disease (particularly those that are at the early stages of CKD) can influence the progression of their condition. 

And when you consistently lead a healthy lifestyle to preserve your kidney functions, it’s possible that you won’t have to undergo dialysis or kidney transplantation. 

7 Tips for People Newly Diagnosed with CKD

Other than sticking to healthy habits, a deeper understanding of your CKD condition is key to improving your health outcomes. It’s normal to feel a range of emotions when you first learn about your diagnosis. 

Many people report feeling worried, anxious, or disconcerted about their health status in relation to kidney disease. Know that it’s totally normal. In order to move forward, it’s important that you take the time to thoroughly understand the implications of CKD to your daily life as well as the steps you need to take to manage your condition.

Here is what nephrologists, renal dietitians, and CKD patients themselves recommend to those who have just been diagnosed with kidney disease:

1. Follow your doctor’s advice.

Chronic Kidney Disease doesn’t automatically result in kidney failure. Your nephrologist will ask you to take certain medications and adjust your diet and lifestyle to minimize the risk of progression. Follow what your doctor recommends you to do. They have an expert oversight of your current health status. Work closely with them in determining ways to keep your CKD from progressing and prevent dialysis.

As mentioned, pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle is crucial in protecting your kidneys from further damage. Your active participation is much needed in the success of your treatment. Your nephrologist will become increasingly involved in managing your health from now on, so it’s also important that you establish a good relationship with them. 

2. Understand your lab values.

Your lab values are very important as you monitor your condition. Your doctor will evaluate these numbers and interpret them for you so you would know whether your CKD is getting stable or progressing.

During checkups, your kidney health care provider will test your blood and urine. They will also check your blood sugar and blood pressure levels. It helps to familiarize yourself with what blood test values reveal about your CKD status. 

There are other lab values you need to understand, like your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urine protein, creatinine levels, and cholesterol levels, but your blood test values are a good place to start. 

One way to eventually get a grasp of what numbers actually represent is to ask your doctor questions when your lab results come in. Then discuss with them how you can tweak your diet or medications to improve these values.

3. Commit to a kidney-friendly diet.

4. Consult with a dietitian.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to renal dieting; every person with CKD has unique nutrient and dietary needs.

This is why it’s important to turn to a dietitian with a proven track record in working with kidney disease patients. Talk to a renal dietitian first before making any adjustments to your diet!

5. Stay physically active.

A study published in the journal BMC Nephrology suggests that regular exercise can be beneficial for non-dialysis CKD patients. Specifically, exercise helps lower blood pressure, improve eGFR, and maintain healthy weight (all important factors in managing CKD).

Physical activity doesn’t have to be boring. Look for things you enjoy doing that get your body moving. You can go for a run, walk, or perhaps bike around your neighborhood. Just make sure to ask your doctor about exercises that are suitable for your condition (and fitness level).

6. Have a support system.

7. Educate yourself.

Bottomline

While Chronic Kidney Disease has diminished the functionality of your kidneys, it doesn’t mean you cannot live a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life. You can save your kidneys from failure by eating kidney-friendly foods, staying active, and complying with your nephrologist and dietitian’s advice.