I finally made a return doctor’s appointment. On my last visit, I had two high blood pressure readings, and now I needed to see if I was just nervous the previous time or if I would need blood pressure medication.
Yes, it was time for a small dose of blood pressure pills, and since I have had some swelling in my feet and legs, I will be referred to a podiatrist. I was reading the notes online when I got home. We had talked about high blood pressure, yes, and referral to a podiatrist: all other medications, no change.
Chronic Kidney Disease: Say What? We did not discuss this; my previous doctors never mentioned it. Thanks for telling me way after the fact. Boy, the fun times keep coming with what my body is going through, and I should probably be a poster child for most ailments at one time. Thankfully, I am in the early stages and must make some life changes.
Now that I know I have it, I began researching what to do about it. Two of my brothers have it so that it could be genetic.
There are some signs and symptoms to look for:
- Protein in your urine
- High blood pressure
- Swelling in your hands or feet
- Urinary tract infections
- Blood in your urine (also called hematuria)
- Kidney damage that shows up in an ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, or kidney biopsy
I had just assumed that my swelling was due to arthritis or an overuse injury. Exercising has been more difficult with the swelling, so I mostly do strength training and aerobic exercises. I do make it onto the bike once or twice a week.
I did go to the podiatrist, and my swelling was consistent with overuse. No trace of arthritis. Yahoo! I got a cortisone shot in each ankle and need new orthotics.
Here are some helpful tips to deal with chronic kidney disease:
Eat less protein
I don’t eat much red meat and try to eat fish or chicken. The American Institute for Cancer Research suggests eating no more than 18 ounces of red meat weekly.
When you eat less protein, your kidneys don’t have to work as hard to filter waste products from your blood. Seeing a dietitian is very helpful. She can show you how to eat a healthy diet with less protein.
Supplements of the hormone erythropoietin (uh-rith-roe-POI-uh-tin), sometimes with added iron, help produce more red blood cells. This might relieve fatigue and weakness associated with anemia.
I have been mildly anemic, but at my last doctor visit, the anemia had resolved, so at least something good came out of that depressing appointment. I wanted to take out the chocolate and treat myself!
Take Medication to Lower Cholesterol
I have never had to worry about cholesterol before, and my labs have been good in that area so far, so I did not need to take a statin.
Drink More Water
I was researching online for this article and read that if you drink a cup of warm water with lemon before eating breakfast, you may eat less. You know me, I had to eat first, but water can fill you up.
I will also try not eating so I can see if this new step will work in the long run.
Fill up a water bottle and keep it with you throughout the day.
Reduce Salt Intake
I like to know how many calories I eat, so when I looked up a restaurant’s nutritional information, I noticed that just about everything on the menu has too much salt.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults should limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg daily— equal to about one teaspoon of table salt!
Order veggies and make it a main dish. I’ve learned to like asparagus and broccoli. I would be happy if I could order a baked sweet potato. Opt for fish or chicken instead of steak.
When you grocery shop, read the nutritional labels. Instead of buying deli meats or sausages, cook fresh or frozen chicken, lean meats, or seafood.
Go for fresh or frozen vegetables without salt. Snack on unsalted nuts instead of salted pretzels or chips with sauce, and buy canned vegetables with less salt. Enjoy your favorite fruits. You can eat them plain, put them on hot or cold cereal, or make a fruit salad.
Final Thoughts
No one likes to have chronic kidney disease, but now you can make some lifestyle changes and try many new recipes. See which tips work for you, and do some research on your own.
