Managing Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a lifelong condition in which the kidneys’ efficiency and functionality gradually decrease over time. Along with a proper medical treatment plan, it’s important to make additional personal efforts to manage the condition. Embodying certain lifestyle modifications into your daily routine can remarkably improve your chances of living an everyday and productive life.
In simple words, you can manage your daily routine even with CKD without any concerns by adopting certain habits and changes. We reached out to Dr. Kanchan Singh (homeopathic physician), a kidney health specialist at Bharat Homeopathy to provide a better outline of lifestyle modifications that individuals can use to live well with CKD. Here is a glimpse of our conversation with her;
Managing Chronic Kidney Disease
“ People with chronic kidney disease can make new friends, visit restaurants, travel to places they want, learn new skills, or follow their hobbies. Being diagnosed with CKD doesn’t imply that it’s the end of the world. It just means that you need to take extra care of yourself, seek support from your loved ones, and focus on making the rest of your life the best it can be”, says Dr. Kanchan Singh, along with mentioning the six most useful tips to help you better management of the condition so that it doesn’t disrupt your daily routine.
- Taking medications as prescribed.
It’s crucial to take your medicines on time as per prescription. Usually, kidney disease is associated with diabetes or high blood pressure. Treating the risk factors and managing insulin and blood pressure levels can slow the further progress of the disease and help manage associated complications. However, you may opt for the following ways to never miss a dose of your medications;
- Set alarms in your mobiles or watches
- Use a pill box
- Keep medicines in places where they are visible
- Always carry them while going outside
- Make a special section to keep these medications on your work desk
- Follow a kidney-friendly eating plan.
Individuals with long-term kidney disease might have to alter their diet to avoid or postpone health issues and to enhance the effectiveness of their treatments. Working with a registered homeopath may help in developing a perfect meal plan. These changes in diet for kidney patient may include foods;
- with less salt and sodium
- with less phosphorus
- with the right amount of potassium
- with the right types of protein
- With less or no sugar content
- Make physical activity part of your routine.
Creating fitness goals or exercise plans is easy, but the most important step towards physical wellness is consistency. You may choose any type of exercise for chronic kidney disease, whether it’s yoga, zumba, or dancing, but make sure to follow the routine on a daily basis. In our conversation with Dr. Kanchan Singh, She took this point further, emphasising that maintaining consistency is what drives progress. It keeps your attention directed towards your objectives. It enables you to achieve benefits on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Here are a few tips to make your exercise time fun and Keep you consistent;
- Join yoga or Zumba classes
- Ask your friend or a family member to join you
- Go for a walk to explore new places
- Opt for a group exercise class
- Dance to your favourite music track
- Make sure you’re sleeping well.
A good night’s sleep is the ultimate heal to all-day tiredness and the rush of the day. Sleeping well may help medicines work faster, improve stress management, and recharge you for tomorrow. However, people with ckd complication may face some sleep-related disorders. Here are a few tips to improve the quality of sleep;
- Ensure you have a cosy bed, mattress, and pillow
- Avoid consuming caffeine in the late hours of the day
- Decrease irregular or lengthy daytime naps
- Switch off electronic devices and lower the lights one hour before bedtime
- If you experience ongoing sleepless nights, consult your healthcare provider
- Manage stress and anxiety.
The impact of long-term stress on the progression and management of CKD should be noted. Prolonged stress can contribute to elevated blood pressure and difficulty regulating glucose levels, which in turn increases the likelihood of developing complications of chronic kidney disease. Moreover, stress can create obstacles when it comes to adhering to chronic kidney disease treatment. However, here are a few ways of better stress management along with cure for chronic kidney disease;
- Practice meditation
- Spend time with your family and friends
- Follow some hobbies
- Talk with someone who’s been in your shoes
- Prohibit Alchohol and Smoking
Both alcohol consumption and smoking can cause damage to the kidneys and raise the likelihood of developing chronic kidney failure. The combination of heavy drinking and smoking can elevate the risk of CKD progression by nearly five times compared to individuals who do not consume alcohol or smoke. Here are a few tips to get control over these habits;
- Discover activities to keep yourself engaged and avoid drinking or smoking.
- Consider activities such as watching a movie, hiking, or seeking adventure.
- Avoid individuals or locations that might trigger the urge to smoke or drink.
- Connect with friends, family, or support groups in person or online.
- Compiling a list of reasons to pursue a smoke-free and alcohol-free life can serve as motivation.
These were the tips provided by Dr Kanchan Singh during our conversation about lifestyle modification for Kidney patients. However, to avoid any further complications in performing daily activities and living an everyday life even after CKD, a proper treatment plan curated by a qualified medical professional is a must.
About Dr. Kanchan Singh
Dr. Kanchan is a highly experienced Homeopathic physician with over five years of practice. She is dedicated to offering holistic healing and has built a strong reputation for providing outstanding care and producing remarkable results for kidney failure treatment without dialysis.
During her practice, she has treated many patients with various kidney diseases, providing them with complete relief from their conditions. Dr. Kanchan Singh blends age-old knowledge with contemporary insights to offer specific and efficient solutions for kidney care. Visit Bharat Homeopathy Clinic to learn more about the treatment plans.