World Kidney Day and dangers of disregarding kidneys

• Encourage open conversations within the family. Share feelings, fears, and hopes
• Create a budget that accounts for medical expenses. Explore financial assistance programmes if needed
• Arrange for breaks to prevent caregiver burnout
• Consider counseling or therapy to manage stress and emotions

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It not only impacts the individual’s health but also places a significant burden on their family members. In this article, I will explore how CKD affects well-being, discuss the challenges faced by patients and their families, and provide practical tips for overcoming these difficulties.

Knowledge is power when it comes to managing CKD. Understanding your condition, treatment options, and how to prevent complications can give you a sense of control. Work closely with your healthcare team to learn as much as you can about CKD and its management.

The impact on well-being

 CKD often leads to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and fluid retention. These physical discomforts can affect an individual’s overall quality of life.
Physical Discomfort:
: Coping with a chronic illness can be emotionally draining. Anxiety, depression, and feelings of helplessness are common among CKD patients and their families.
Financial Strain: 

The cost of medications, dialysis, and other treatments can strain family finances. Balancing medical expenses with daily living costs becomes a challenge.
CKD necessitates lifestyle modifications. Patients may need to alter their diet, restrict certain activities, and adhere to medication schedules. These adjustments impact both the patient and their family members.
Lifestyle Changes

The burden on families

Caregiver Stress: Family members often take on the role of caregivers. The demands of care-giving can lead to stress, exhaustion, and feelings of isolation.
Emotional Impact: Witnessing a loved one struggle with CKD can evoke feelings of helplessness, guilt, and sadness. Family members may worry about the patient’s well-being constantly.
Social Isolation: Patients may withdraw from social activities due to their health condition. This isolation affects not only the patient but also their family’s 
social life.
Work and Productivity: Family members may need to take time off work to care for the patient. This can impact their  own career and financial stability.

Strategies for overcoming challenges

Education and Empowerment:

Patient Education: Understanding CKD, its progression, and treatment options empowers patients to actively participate in their care.
Family Involvement: Educate family members about CKD, its impact, and ways they can support the patient.

Emotional Support:

Open Communication: Encourage open conversations within the family. Share feelings, fears, and hopes.
Support Groups: Joining support groups provides emotional support and helps family members connect with others facing similar challenges.

Financial Planning:

Budgeting: Create a budget that accounts for medical expenses. Explore financial assistance programmes if needed.
Insurance Coverage: Understand insurance policies and coverage related to CKD treatments.

Self-care for caregivers:

Respite Care: Arrange for breaks to prevent caregiver burnout.
Seek Professional Help: Consider counseling or therapy to manage 
stress and emotions.

Promoting Wellness:

Healthy Lifestyle: Encourage the patient to follow a kidney-friendly diet, stay hydrated, and engage in regular physical activity.
Early Detection: Regular check-ups help detect CKD early, allowing for timely interventions.

Conclusion

Living well with kidney disease requires a holistic approach. By empowering patients and their families, promoting education, and addressing emotional and financial challenges, we can improve the well-being of those affected by CKD. Let us strive for a world where kidney health is a priority for everyone, everywhere.
Navigating life with chronic kidney disease is a journey of adaptation and resilience. With the right knowledge, support, and mindset, you can manage your condition effectively and lead a fulfilling life.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Reach out to your healthcare team, support networks, and loved ones. Together, we can overcome the challenges posed by kidney disease and lead 
fulfilling lives.
Dr. Rajeev Menon, a Medical Officer in Anesthesia and Intensive Care at the National Institute for Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation  has an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a passion for sharing it. 

Every day presents a new opportunity to learn something that can enhance my practice and benefit my patients. With the ever-evolving landscape of medicine, I believe that staying updated with the latest research and advancements is not just a professional responsibility but also a personal joy. Through my social media channels, I aim to demystify complex medical topics, provide valuable health tips, and foster an informed community. He is also the incumbent Secretary of the Clinical Travel Medicine Association 
of Sri Lanka.

Nutrition considerations in chronic kidney disease

kidneys play a crucial role in filtering waste and excess fluids from the blood, as well as regulating levels of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. When the kidneys are damaged, they may not be able to perform these functions effectively, leading to a build-up of waste products and imbalances in nutrient levels. 

This can impact a patient’s nutritional status and overall health, making it important to follow a specialized diet to help manage these imbalances and support kidney function. 
However, exact nutritional application should be tailor made to each patient, as each patient’s condition (Co-existence of Diabetes, High blood pressure) is highly individual. Restrictions of diet also depend on the stage of the disease or how bad is the disease. In early stages of the disease the patient can be on a more flexible diet and undue restrictions may even hamper the patient’s well-being. Therefore, it is essential to discuss these restrictions with a nutrition specialist and a nephrologist before making changes in the diet.

This article aims to discuss general nutritional considerations of moderate to severe kidney disease in adults.

The diet in a patient with kidney disease should be able to prevent under nutrition while helping to reduce the workload on their kidneys and maintain overall health. This typically involves limiting certain nutrients such as sodium, phosphorus, and potassium, while also ensuring they get adequate protein and calories.

Some general principles for dietary intake in advanced kidney disease are as below.

  Limiting sodium intake to help control blood pressure and reduce fluid retention.
  Monitoring phosphorus intake, as high levels can lead to bone and heart problems.
 Managing potassium levels, as too much potassium can be harmful for the heart.
 Ensuring adequate protein intake, but not excessive amounts.

Let’s see how we could address each of them Limiting salt intake in diet:

 Always read food labels: choose low-sodium or sodium-free options whenever possible.
 Cook at home: Prepare meals at home using fresh ingredients, and spices instead of relying on pre-packaged or processed foods, which tend to be high in sodium.
 Limit processed foods: Avoid or reduce consumption of processed foods like canned soups, deli meats, and fast food, as they are often high in sodium.
 Use condiments and spices to flavour the food instead of salt
 Be mindful when dining out: ask for dishes to be prepared without added salt, sauces on the side, and opt for steamed or grilled options instead of fried foods.
 Be cautious with condiments like soy sauce, ketchup, and salad dressings, as they can be high in sodium.

Be mindful about phosphate levels

•  Limit high-phosphorus foods: Avoid or limit foods that are high in phosphorus, such as dairy products, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and processed foods. You will have to get advice on restricting meat and fish which are high in phosphate but, at the same time are important sources of good quality proteins. Unnecessary restrictions in animal sources of protein can worsen the overall health of the person.
•  Choose low-phosphorus alternatives: like white bread, rice, pasta, and fruits and vegetables with lower 
• phosphorus content.
•  Soak or leach high-phosphorus foods: high-phosphorus foods like beans, lentils, or certain vegetables, soaking or leaching them before cooking can help reduce their phosphorus content.
•  Avoid phosphorus additives: Be cautious of phosphorus additives in processed foods, such as phosphoric acid in sodas and certain food preservatives.
•  Take phosphate binders: phosphate binders can help control phosphorus levels by binding to phosphorus in the gut and preventing its absorption.
• Managing potassium intake from food
•  Monitor potassium intake: Keep track of your potassium intake by reading food labels and being aware of high-potassium foods such as bananas, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, and dairy products.
•  Choose low-potassium foods: like green apples, berries, cabbage, green beans, and rice. You need to be aware of the safe quantities of these food to avoid high potassium intake. A nutrition specialist can guide you with this.
•  Cook fruits and vegetables: can help reduce their potassium content. Use large amount of water in the pot when cooking or boiling to enhance potassium loss. Soaking or leaching high-potassium foods like potatoes or certain vegetables before cooking can help lower their potassium 
• levels further.
•  Limit potassium additives: Be cautious of potassium additives in processed foods, such as potassium chloride in salt substitutes and certain packaged foods.
•  Avoid high-potassium salt substitutes: Some salt substitutes contain high levels of potassium, so it’s important to choose low-potassium alternatives if needed.
•  Take medications as prescribed: If your healthcare provider prescribes medications to help manage potassium levels, be sure to take them as directed.

Ensure adequate protein intake in kidney disease

•  Choose high-quality protein sources: Opt for high-quality protein sources such as lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. These sources provide essential amino acids without adding excessive strain on the kidneys. 
•  Monitor portion sizes: Be mindful of portion sizes when consuming protein-rich foods to avoid consuming more protein than your body needs. Your nutrition specialist can guide you on this.
•  Spread protein intake throughout the day: Instead of consuming a large amount of protein in one meal, try to spread your protein intake evenly throughout the day
•  Consider plant-based protein sources: Incorporate plant-based protein sources like beans, lentils, tofu, and quinoa into your diet to vary your protein intake. Again, the quantities have to be guided.
•  Limit phosphorus-rich protein sources: Some protein sources, such as dairy products and nuts, are high in phosphorus, which can be problematic for individuals with kidney disease. Be mindful of your phosphorus intake while choosing protein sources. 

As an adult, controlling your weight in a healthy range avoiding unhealthy fat (eg: saturated oil) and carbohydrates (eg: simple sugars, refined flour) and being active as much as possible, will lay a foundation to a healthy life, preventing chronic kidney disease and all other none communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cancers.

Dr Manoji Gamage
MBBS,MSc,MD (Clinical Nutrition)
Consultant Nutrition Physician
National Institute of Nephrology Dialysis and transplant