Chronic kidney disease is a severe but manageable disease that affects the healthy functioning of the kidneys. This organ is responsible for filtering out waste and helping remove unnecessary fluids from the blood. In chronic kidney disease, this filtering process is compromised. While this condition cannot be reversed entirely, it can be managed well through strict lifestyle changes and treatment options. Below you can find tips on how to manage chronic kidney disease.

Eating well
Food and nutrition is one of the most important aspects of managing chronic kidney disease, so understanding the foods to eat and avoid is very important. There are some generic rules to what can be included in the meals and what should be avoided. However, consultation with a nutritionist will help you plan your meals correctly. Here’s what to be careful of:

• Cut down on sodium
  While sodium is important to maintain the sodium and potassium balance in the body, excess sodium can lead to multiple health issues. One of the health issues related to sodium is increased blood pressure. It is also responsible for maintaining the water balance in the body. The kidneys are responsible for keeping sodium levels in check and preventing fluid buildup. Too much sodium can lead to swollen ankles, high blood pressure, and fluid buildup around the heart and lungs. To avoid excessive sodium intake, it’s crucial to be mindful of the amount of salt used in food. One must eat more home-cooked meals to avoid excess sodium consumption, read the labels when shopping for food, and always rinse canned foods like veggies, beans, meat, and fish to flush out the extra salt. One can also use fresh spices and herbs to keep the taste of the food alive instead of relying on too much salt.
• Limit calcium and phosphorus
  These important minerals help keep the bones in the body strong and healthy. Kidneys are responsible for filtering out the excess phosphorus from the blood when it is unnecessary. However, in chronic kidney disease, this filtering process is compromised, which means there could be an excess amount of phosphorus in the body. When these levels get too high, it can affect the heart and lead to complications with the organ. Anyone managing a late-stage chronic kidney disease should not take more than 1000 milligrams of phosphorus in a day. Check labels before purchasing items, choose more corn or rice-based cereals, and cut back on calcium-rich foods because some of them are also high in phosphorus. This includes sherbet, brie, Swiss cheese, and regular or low-fat cream cheese/sour cream.
  If anyone takes calcium supplements, the doctor and nutritionist will mostly ask them to stop.
• Cut down on potassium
  This is an important mineral to help the muscles and nerves work properly. However, excess potassium can be a problem when the kidney cannot filter it out of the body. Try eating low-potassium foods like pineapples, plums, peaches, cabbage, apples, cranberries, asparagus, beans, celery, and cucumber. Avoid foods like potatoes, bananas, avocados, oranges, raw carrots, tomatoes, and melons.
  Eat more whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, and nuts. A nutritionist will be able to plan a balanced food guide.

Physical activity
Besides nutrition, exercise is another important aspect of controlling the disease. It is advised that any mild to moderate kidney disease survivor should stick to a regular exercise pattern that is similar to someone with a healthy kidney. This helps in boosting the energy levels in the body, keeps the muscles and bones strong, helps prevent depression, and also helps in better sleep. Regular exercise also reduces the risk of heart disease caused by kidney complications. It is important to stick to healthy lifestyle choices on a day-to-day basis, keep the blood pressure in check, and if anyone has diabetes, their sugar levels should be kept in check.

Anyone with late-stage kidney disease is advised to be physically active, but not to the point that it makes them extremely tired. A doctor can suggest the right kind of activity to follow.

Follow the treatment plan strictly
Anyone with chronic kidney disease is on a structured treatment plan throughout their life. This is extremely important to follow as it helps to keep the disease in check and can easily be managed with a dedicated plan. Any nutritional supplements should be taken regularly, and a thorough check every couple of months is also necessary.

This disease may be severe, but it can be managed well with proper interventions at every stage of life. So always have a detailed discussion with the doctor to chart the right course of action.