When kidney failure (also called renal failure) occurs, the kidneys are unable to filter waste products from the blood. Over time, dangerous levels of wastes may accumulate in the body, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. Significant damage to your nephrons may reduce your kidney function. Doctors diagnose chronic kidney failure if lack of function persists for more than 3 months.
What are the symptoms of chronic kidney failure?
Symptoms of chronic kidney failure include the following:
• Changes in urination
• Chest pain
• Difficulty concentrating and reduced mental sharpness
• Fluid retention causing leg swelling
• High blood pressure that is difficult to control
• Loss of sleep
• Muscle twitches and cramps
• Nausea or vomiting
• Persistent itching
• Poor appetite
• Shortness of breath
• Upset stomach
• Weakness or fatigue
Early signs of kidney failure
Early stages of chronic kidney failure may not display any symptoms. Many of the early signs can also be confused with other illnesses and conditions. These are some of the early symptoms to look out for:
• Chest pain
• Itching
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Uncontrollable high blood pressure
• Unexpected weight loss
Importance of good nutrition for people with chronic kidney disease
Making healthy food choices is important to us all, and especially if you have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Good nutrition helps:
• Slow down the progression of kidney disease
• Provide energy to do your daily tasks
• Prevent infection
• Maintain muscle mass and strength
• Maintain a healthy weight
The basics of good nutrition
A well-balanced diet gives you the right amounts of protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals each day. Eating a healthy diet, staying physically active, and taking all your medicines as prescribed are all important parts to keeping you healthy and feeling well.
Changes to diet
Your kidneys help keep the right balance of nutrients and minerals in your body. But if you have kidney disease, your kidneys may not do this job very well. You may need to make some changes to your diet. There is not only one correct eating plan for everyone with kidney disease. What you can or cannot eat may change over time, depending on your kidney function and other factors. If you are following a certain eating plan for diabetes or heart disease, you will continue to do so. What is good for your diabetes and heart is good for your kidney. A kidney dietitian will help you combine these eating plans.
Registered dietitians and kidney disease
Ask your doctor about meeting with a registered dietitian with special training in kidney disease. A dietitian can:
• Teach you to make the best food choices based on your lifestyle and lab tests
• Help to make changes in your diet to help you better control diabetes and high blood pressure
• Help you to keep your kidney disease from getting worse
Nutrients to manage in chronic kidney disease
People with CKD may need to control the amount or type of one or more nutrients:
• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Protein
• Sodium
Eating the right amount or type of one or more of these nutrients may help control the build-up of waste and fluid in your blood. This means your kidneys do not have to work as hard to remove the extra waste and fluid. If your kidney disease gets worse, you may need to limit other nutrients as well. Your dietitian or healthcare provider will tell you if you need to do this based on your blood test results.
Your CKD diet: How to spice up your cooking
Healthy kidneys control how much sodium is in your body. If your kidneys do not work well, too much sodium can cause fluid buildup, swelling, higher blood pressure, and strain on your heart. Your dietitian or healthcare provider can tell you the right amount of sodium you should have each day.
Potassium
Potassium is important for muscle function, including the heart muscle. Too much or too little potassium in the blood can be very dangerous. The amount of potassium you need is based on how well your kidneys are working and your medications. Your dietitian or healthcare provider can tell you about foods with potassium and the right amount for you to eat each day. Potassium from animal foods is absorbed at a higher rate than potassium from plants. Elevated blood sugars can also increase potassium levels. Some high-potassium foods include milk, meat, bananas, oranges and orange juice, cantaloupe, dried fruits, winter squash and salt substitutes.
Phosphorus
As kidney function gets lower, extra phosphorus can start building up in the blood. High phosphorus levels can cause bones to get weaker. Your dietitian or healthcare provider can tell you if you need to limit foods that are high in phosphorus. High phosphorus foods include dairy products, organ meats, colas, deli meats, and processed foods with phosphate additives.
Calcium
Foods that are good sources of calcium are often high in phosphorus. Your dietitian or healthcare provider will tell you if you need to limit calcium. Before taking any over-the-counter vitamin D or calcium supplements, talk to your healthcare provider.
Protein
Your body needs protein to help build muscle, repair tissue, and fight infection. Plant-based protein like beans and nuts are easier on the kidneys than animal proteins like meat and dairy products. This is because plant proteins produce less acid in the body than meat proteins. More acid in the body can damage the kidneys.
Having very large amounts of protein, especially in the form of unnecessary supplements, can be stressful on the kidneys. But if protein intake is too low, you can lose muscle mass, become weak, and increase the body’s acid load, so it is important to eat the right amount each day.
The amount of protein you need is based on:
• Your weight
• Your age – growing children and adolescents, and older people, need more protein
• The amount of protein in your urine, and depending on your type of kidney disease
• Guidance from your dietitian or healthcare provider, who can tell you how much protein you should eat
The do’s and don’ts of fluid management in chronic kidney disease
Most people in the early stages of kidney disease do not need to limit how much fluid they drink. If you do not know your stage of kidney disease, ask your healthcare provider. If your kidney disease worsens, your dietitian or healthcare provider can let you know if you need to limit fluids and how much to drink each day.
Fluids may need to be limited based on how much urine you make each day, and if fluid build-up in your body is causing swelling or stress on your heart or lungs. Fluids include any food that is liquid at room temperature such as beverages, soups, gelatin, frozen desserts, and ice.
Calories
Every person needs a different amount of calories each day. Calories are like fuel. If you don’t eat enough, your body will take protein from your muscles for energy. This can make you weak and damage your kidneys.
Eating the right number of calories will:
• Help you stay at a healthy weight
• Give you energy to do daily tasks
• Help your body use protein to build muscle and tissues
Too many calories can cause weight gain, which adds stress to the kidneys. If you are overweight, some weight loss may be helpful. If weight loss is needed or if you have diabetes, meet with a dietitian to create a plan based on your kidney blood tests, current food choices, and daily activities.
Vitamins and minerals
Most people get enough vitamins and minerals by eating a variety of foods each day. But people with kidney disease may need to limit certain foods. If that happens, you may need special vitamin or mineral supplements—but only if recommended by a dietitian or healthcare provider.
Some vitamins or minerals can be harmful for people with kidney disease. Always check with your healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter medications or supplements.
source: kidney.org
