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Kidney Disease Management
4 Practical Tips
How Best to Help Yourself
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After being diagnosed with kidney disease, many patients feel lost, hopeless, and scared. While kidney disease is very serious, much can be done to minimize the side effects and prevent further damage from taking place.
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Below are 4 tips that will help you manage your kidney disease in the coming years.
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Kidney Disease Management: Practical Tip #1
Stabilize Your Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar
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Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for kidney disease. Once you are diagnosed with kidney disease, lowering your blood pressure as well as blood sugar for diabetes prevention, will minimize some of the worst side effects.
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Staying at a healthy weight, following a consistent exercise routine, and sticking to a nutritious dietary program are three of the most effective ways to control your blood pressure.
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These lifestyle changes will also prevent your glucose levels from fluctuating.
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Kidney Disease Management: Practical Tip #2
Follow All of Your Doctor’s / Health Practitioner’s Instructions
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Patients are almost always given explicit instructions following a kidney disease diagnosis. You will be changing your diet and following a consistent workout routine.
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In addition, you may also be required to take various prescription medications. It is extremely important that you take those medications exactly as instructed. For a certain category of patients, skipping a single dose can be life-threatening.
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Your doctor might suggest that you meet with a physical therapist or dietitian as well.
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Kidney Disease Management: Practical Tip #3
Contact a Social Worker
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A social worker will be able to guide you through every step of this process. In addition to connecting you with kidney disease specialists, these specialists can also get you ready for many of the major lifestyle changes that are about to take place for you.
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From wearing a portable dialysis machine, to getting funding for your treatments, a social worker is going to be invaluable in the coming years.
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Kidney Disease Management: Practical Tip #4
Join a Support Group
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Being diagnosed with a chronic illness has a major impact on one’s psyche. Many patients experience a wide range of emotions, and it is often difficult to find others who have gone through similar experiences.
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There are hundreds of support groups throughout the country specifically for patients who have chronic diseases. If you can’t find a local group, then you might want to look for an online support group that communicates through message boards and forums.
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In addition to these few tips, you also need to continue meeting with your doctor and the rest of your medical team as often as possible.
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Chronic kidney disease can progress in a short period of time, and you must catch new symptoms and side effects early on if you want to avoid total kidney failure.
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Post by Rachelle Wilber
rachellewilber@gmail.com
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