If you’re a dialysis patient and searching for “How to Improve Quality of Life in Dialysis Patients?” So the answer is to improve your quality of life as a dialysis patient, you need to focus on adherence to medical treatment and dietary guidelines.
Engage yourself in regular physical activities, and maintain emotional and social well-being through support systems. Below we’re gonna look at lifestyle changes we need to adopt.
Adopting Lifestyle Changes are:
1. Make sure your vaccines are up-to-date.
Regardless of whether you are on peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis, everyone with end stage kidney failure should ensure current vaccinations to avoid as many infections and illnesses as possible.
End stage renal disease affects your immune system. The annual mortality rate for people on dialysis is as high as 20%, with cardiovascular disease and infection being the top two leading causes of death. The dysregulation of the immune system is caused by uremia, or raised levels of urea in the blood system.
You should speak to your doctor about getting vaccinated for the flu, hepatitis A and B and the pneumococcal vaccination if you want to prevent these infections.
2. Get some good sleep every night.
Dialysis is done most effectively when you are well rested; sleeping allows your body to eliminate waste products. Ensure that you get eight hours of sleep every night to assist your body and brain to eliminate waste products.
If you encounter any issues sleeping after you start dialysis, please let your doctor know as soon as possible.
3. Quit smoking.
Tobacco will increase your white blood cell count, thus making your body stress out defending against the chemicals that are causing inflammation and destruction. Nicotine will constrict the blood vessels, thus decreasing the nutrients and oxygen transported to your cells. Tar and other chemicals will also make your immune system less efficient to fight against infection. All this means that you are at a higher risk of being sick and are more likely to get autoimmune diseases.
If you are a smoker, contact your doctor and ask for help to quit. Your doctor will be able to direct you to lots of free smoking cessation programs, and other medication options.
4. Wash your hands often.
It is very important to wash your hands well before cooking, after going to the bathroom, after being out in public or when you get back home after touching your nose or blowing your nose. Wash your hands after being in a group of people, close to anyone who is sick or looks sick. All of this will prevent you from being sick or getting an infection.
5. Control your blood pressure with medication, safe diet, and exercise.
Your blood pressure has a negative influence from your kidney disease, as well as your overall immune system(s). In turn, kidney disease has a negative influence on blood pressure. The key is to get your blood pressure under control, and consistently maintain your immune system, to protect you from any potential infection.
High blood pressure will decrease the amount of oxygen being sent to the body organs, including kidneys. And even though you may have kidney failure, high blood pressure can also damage your vision, and even put you at risk of a heart attack.
6. Consume a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and meaT:
You probably will have some diet restrictions, based on your unexplained illness. Avoid carbohydrates and sugar by reducing your carbohydrate and sugar intake, this would reduce the waste products that need to be removed by dialysis. Consult your doctor as to what diet he would like you to follow based on your personal medical requirements.
The National Kidney Foundation recommends a high protein, low salt, potassium, and phosphorus diet. Beans and meat can be suggested as a substitute.
It is important to minimize the intake of salt. Try using herbs and spices to season your foods.
Furthermore, you need to avoid high potassium and phosphorus food for example bananas, avocados, potatoes, yogurt, fish, dry beans, or lentils.
7. Monitor Your Fluid Intake:
Your doctor may prescribe a fluid restricting diet, and may even have you track how much fluid you take in. Make sure that you speak to your doctor about your specific needs.
8. Let Catheter Site Heal:
You will need to allow the catheter site to heal before you can go ahead and initiate dialysis. You will need to allow approximately two weeks for the catheter to heal before you can actually perform dialysis. After the catheter site has healed, you will learn how to set-up your peritoneal dialysis bags, the equipment, how to hook-up, how to take-down, how to dispose of the liquid, and when to call your doctor.
9. Find A Support Group To Help Adjust:
Starting dialysis requires some major adjustments in your life, and it is not something that you necessarily have to deal with on your own. If you want, you may want to think about joining a support group to help you cope with the lifestyle changes you face due to kidney failure. You may also benefit from seeing a counselor, therapist or pastor.
Conclusion
While there are many modifications to your lifestyle and daily routine when living with dialysis, many times, the small decisions you make every day have a big impact on both your health and your quality of life. With the right vaccination strategy, a balanced diet, good blood pressure management, proper hygienic routines, and support, you can minimize complications and feel more confident in your overall course of care. Always collaborate with your healthcare team and develop a care plan in a manner that is going to work best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How to improve kidney function to avoid dialysis?
The following may benefit kidney health and lessen the chances of dialysis: monitoring blood pressure and blood sugar; dietary changes (low sodium, low protein and phosphorus); drinking enough fluids; regular aerobic exercise; keeping a healthy body weight; avoiding some medications; quitting smoking; and managing stress.
Q. What foods help repair kidneys?
The food which helps repair kidneys are Berry, Red bell peppers, fish, olive oils, apples etc.
Q. What is the most common side effect of dialysis?
Low blood pressure is the common side effect of dialysis.
Q. How to book dialysis in Delhi?
You can book dialysis in Delhi from the CareBox. Here you’ll get dialysis at the cheapest cost.
