Staying Healthy with Kidney Disease

Staying healthy with kidney disease

Healthy Lifestyle: Looking After Your Body and Mind

Living a healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, and even more so if you have a kidney condition.

Making good choices now can help you stay as healthy as possible into the future.

Diet and Nutrition

What you eat and drink plays a big role in your health.

If your kidneys are working well, you likely don’t need any special diet. Just follow general healthy eating recommendations, aim for low-fat and low-sugar foods and drinks.

If your kidney function is declining or you’re on dialysis, you may need to stop eating or limit certain foods and drinks. Your Accredited Practicing Dietician and kidney doctor (nephrologist) will talk you through this. These changes help protect your bones, blood vessels, and kidney function.

After a kidney transplant, your medications might make you feel hungry. It’s easy to gain weight quickly, especially with high-fat or sugary foods. This can raise your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Try to drink lots of water and cut back on junk food when you can.

Find out more about general eating guidelines in the Kidney Plate

Exercise and Sport

Being active every day is great for your body and your mood. Whatever your stage of kidney disease there are lots of reasons to exercise regularly, including:

Help your heart stay healthy
Improve your sleep
Keep your weight in check
Boost your energy
Ease restless legs or muscle cramps

If you’re on dialysis or have a transplant, you might need to be careful with high impact sports.

If you have a dialysis catheter, protect it during exercise (like using extra dressings).
If you have a transplant, you might choose to wear a kidney guard. Talk to your nurse or doctor about what’s safe for you.

As kidney disease progresses, maintaining or improving your fitness may be difficult but it is still very important. Do as much as is comfortable and think of it as part of your treatment.

Find out more about exercising in the Staying Active section in the Wellbeing Centre

Managing Medications

Taking your medications properly is a key part of your healthcare. It’s always important to take your medications as your doctor tells you.

Try setting alarms, using apps, or keeping your medicine near your toothbrush so you remember. Choose what works best for you!

Be careful with other medicines and supplements. Some can interact with your kidney medications, even things like cold medicine or herbal remedies. Always check with your pharmacist or kidney doctor before starting something new.

Remember, don’t stop or skip medications without checking first with your healthcare team.