About this topic
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs in the back of your belly, just above your waist. They filter your blood and get rid of waste products and extra fluid from your body. The waste is turned into urine. Sometimes, your kidneys do not work well. Chronic kidney disease is an illness where your kidneys begin to lose the ability to filter the blood. Over time, the kidneys may not work at all. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- You may need dialysis until your kidneys are able to work well.
- If you had a catheter placed for your dialysis treatments, you will be taught how to care for the catheter.
- Keep your legs above the level of your heart when in bed. This may help with your bodys blood flow and lower swelling in your feet.
- Learn how to take your blood pressure and keep your pressure within a normal range. Take your blood pressure drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- You may need to limit the amount of water and fluids that you drink. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of fluid for you. If you have extra fluid in your body, problems can happen.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Lower blood pressure
- Control blood sugar levels
- Lower cholesterol
- Slow down kidney failure
Will physical activity be limited?
Based on your illness, your activity may be limited. Talk with your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Talk with your doctor or a dietician about a diet plan that is right for you.
- Eat a diet that is low in salt.
- Eat foods that are low in potassium. Some of these are apples, blueberries, grapes, peaches. green beans, cabbage, and lettuce.
- Eat foods that are low in protein. Eat more fruits, vegetables, oatmeal, and foods made from wheat grains.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Heart, brain, liver, lung problems
- High blood pressure
- Anemia
- Kidney failure
- Weakened bones
- Fluid buildup
- Coma
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Doing these things may help to keep your kidneys working better longer: ‚
- Watch your salt intake.
- Eat low-fat foods like lean cuts of meat, fish, skinless chicken and turkey, legumes, and low-fat milk.
- Keep blood sugar levels under control if you have diabetes.
- Keep your blood pressure lower than 130/80.
- Be careful when taking over-the-counter pain drugs. Talk to your doctor about what drugs are safe for you.
- Keep a healthy weight. If you weigh too much, lose weight.
- Exercise more often.
- If you smoke, stop smoking.
- Limit or stop drinking beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine.
- Sudden problems with breathing, chest pain, and belly pain
- Swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet. Puffy eyelids and face, especially in the morning
- Passing less urine than normal or not able to pass urine
- Tired and have no energy
- Not hungry or losing weight but not trying to
- Often have upset stomach or vomiting
- Not able to sleep
- Trouble thinking clearly
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet, drugs, or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, swelling, no urine, chest pain, or trouble breathing.
Where can I learn more?
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease.printerview.all.html ‚
National Kidney Disease Education Program ‚
http://www.nkdep.nih.gov/resources/kidney-disease-mean-for-me.shtml ‚
National Kidney Foundation ‚
http://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/aboutckd.cfm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚