Mathea Ford's Blog, page 94
November 1, 2013
Chronic Kidney Disease Management
How do I manage my Chronic Kidney Disease?
If you’re suffering from chronic kidney disease management is a necessary way of life. From this point forward, it is essential to manage your diet, your fluids, and even the amount of exercise you get in an effort to sustain your health and maintain your independence to the greatest degree possible. These are a few important chronic kidney disease management steps you must follow in order to sustain the best possible quality of life.
Create Routines
You need to come up with an easy to follow routine for rationing your daily amount of liquids, taking your daily required medications, eating a proper, healthy diet, and getting an adequate amount of fitness for optimal health — even if it’s simply taking a stroll to the mailbox each day. Establishing routines is a critical part of your chronic kidney disease management plan. The more you commit to practicing these routines, the less cumbersome they will become.
Avoid Dry Mouth
One of the worst aspects of rationing beverages is dry mouth. That’s why it’s so important to space your beverages apart in a manner that doesn’t leave too much time between drinks. Keep this in mind as you adjust your chronic kidney disease management routine.
These are a few small things you can do to help combat dry mouth without significant consequences to your health and maintain your chronic kidney disease management efforts.
Suck on ice chips
Reduce sodium intake (salty foods make you thirsty)
Skip social drinking (save your beverage intake for times when you’re thirsty instead)
Chew sugarless gum
Brush your teeth frequently throughout the day
Avoid foods that make your mouth feel dry (consider fresh fruits like blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries instead of crackers or breads)
These are small changes but they significantly impact your level of discomfort due to dry mouth throughout the day.
Focus on Foods You Can Have
There are a lot of limits to consider when adapting to your chronic kidney disease management routine. It’s easy to hyper focus on all the things you can’t have anymore. However, that’s a negative way of thinking that often leads to depression, feelings of deprivation, and binging on things that aren’t good for you.
Instead, adopt a more positive attitude about all the great foods you can have like fresh fruit and vegetables, egg whites, fish, and more. Keep your house well stocked with these foods as you develop your chronic kidney disease management plan and you’ll find it more and more difficult to feel deprived.
Accommodate Other Dietary Needs
While it’s great to get on board with your chronic kidney disease management diet, it’s also important to accommodate other dietary needs you have. For instance, if you have diabetes or other health conditions with special dietary needs, you can’t ignore them in an effort to focus on managing your kidney disease needs. You must find a balance between both needs or identify the more critical of the needs.
The key to successful chronic kidney disease management is creating a plan you can follow through with day after day. This isn’t a temporary diet but a long-lasting lifestyle change that must be sustainable.
To lean more about our diet plans click here.
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Renal Diet Menu Headquarters -
Suggested Reading:
How Quickly Will My Chronic Kidney Disease Progress To Dialysis?
Laboratory Exams For Chronic Kidney Disease:CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE LABS
A Chronic Renal Failure Meal Plan Is Important in Pre-Dialysis Kidney Disease
October 28, 2013
VEGETARIAN RENAL DIET: WORTHY OR NOT?
A vegetarian diet is composed of different categories. One can go vegan, lacto-vegetarian, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, pescatarian, or flexitarian. Here are the differences between these categories of vegetarian diets:
• Vegan – consumes only plant-based foods and no animal-based foods
• Lacto-vegetarian – consumes only plant-based foods + milk/dairy-based foods
• Lacto-ovo-vegetarian – consumes only plant-based foods + milk/dairy-based foods + eggs
• Pescatarian – consumes only plant-based foods + fish (may or may not allow milk/dairy-based foods and eggs)
• Flexitarian or Semivegetarian – primarily consumes plant-based foods but may allow a variety of meats from time to time.
To make it more simplified, we shall focus on the lacto-ovo vegetarian type as our reference. In this article, we shall look into the advantages and disadvantages of being on a vegetarian diet.
The Advantages of Eating Vegetarian:
The nutritional contents of vegetables vary significantly, but some have more potassium or phosphorus than others. One main advantage of vegetables over animal-based foods is the protein content. Though not all plants have protein, vegetable-based protein is also as complete as that found in animal protein when combined. Once an individual goes vegetarian, the possibility of lowering protein intake is almost always there. He can choose from a wide range of vegetables without taking in much protein. However, if the diet is incorporated with protein according to the nutritional requirement, a vegetarian can always choose from a variety of meat analogs (plant-based protein foods). The addition of milk and dairy almost always lead to the necessary intake of protein, although they can be high in phosphorus and must be carefully watched.
The low protein content of most plant-based foods can decrease the so-called “proteinuria” or protein in the urine. This in turn benefits the kidneys by reducing their load to remove the waste products of protein.
Vegetarians can also enjoy the benefits of lipid profile improvement of the blood, as well as less kidney tissue damage and reduced growth of kidney cysts through the improvement in the diet as long as too many calories are not consumed.
You should also note that the nutritional needs of the renal patient can be fulfilled without any compromises as part of a vegetarian diet. Kidney disease is also known to slow down its progression in response to a vegetarian diet. This is due to the benefits of lowering the protein intake from consuming vegetables or plant-based foods as already mentioned.
The Disadvantages of Eating A Vegetarian Renal Diet:
As in all diet plans, there are always disadvantages. A catch 22 of the diet is that the lower protein can be a problem as well as a solution. This becomes a downside when dialysis is required for the renal patient. Renal patients requiring dialysis are expected to take in more protein to replace the losses from the dialysis.
Analog meat products can sometimes contain high amount of sodium, and so does cheese. Canned vegetables can also contain higher amounts of sodium that can likewise damage the kidneys and raise blood pressure. All renal patients should be cautious of the nutritional values of what he or she consumes, but it is especially important based on the need to consume the right amount of protein without eating too much potassium or sodium.
Okay or Not To Eat A Vegetarian Renal Diet?
In summary, the only pitfall that can hinder a renal patient is when the nutritional requirement is not met for protein and calories. Besides the fact that vegetarian diets are healthy, the only consideration is to be watchful on the other nutrients that could not be provided by certain plant-based foods. Earlier, we discussed how nutritious vegetables are, but not all of these plant sources contain each of the nutrients a renal patient needs and must be carefully reviewed for completeness in the diet.
In order to achieve the full potential of a vegetarian diet, you should be cautious about the nutritional values of each plant-based food in your diet. Eating a vegetarian renal diet is very worthy as long as you combine a variety of plant food sources in balance. If supplementation should be needed, consult your health professional about it. And on top of it all, make sure that your diet meets the daily recommended intake of nutrients as prescribed by your nutritionist.
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Renal Diet Menu Headquarters -
Suggested Reading:
The Kidney Disease Diet Can Be Complicated
Follow Your Renal Diet Restrictions For A PreDialysis Diet
Choosing a Pre-Dialysis Diet Plan
October 21, 2013
Foods To Avoid When You’re on Dialysis
The foods to avoid when you’re on dialysis are different than the foods to avoid when you’re on a pre-dialysis diet or a low sodium diet. The main concerns for dialysis patients are potassium, phosphorus, sodium and fluids.
Potassium May or May Not Be an Issue
The potassium that builds up in the kidneys is removed during dialysis, so potassium foods may not be a potential problem, and possibly may be included in your diet in small amounts.
However, you’ll have to have a blood test to determine where your potassium levels are while you’re getting dialysis. The test can help you determine if you’re on track with your potassium, or if your levels are too low, too high or just right. Both high potassium and low potassium cause symptoms and are a threat to your health.
Remembering what foods are high in potassium will help you know how to adjust your diet. The two food groups high in potassium are fruits and vegetables.
One would think that no matter how sick a person is, fruits and vegetables would always be good to eat, but in this case, they aren’t and it’s possible you may have to eat less of them. You can still eat the fruits and vegetables that are not as high in potassium, but they should be limited in serving size.
Here’s a list of foods to avoid that are high in potassium:
• Avocado • Oranges and orange juice
• Cantaloupe • Papaya
• Garbanzo beans • Prunes and prune juice
• Black and baked beans • Tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato juice
• Red and white beans • Nuts
• Lima beans and lentils • Potassium-based salt substitutes
Phosphorus is the Greatest Concern
Phosphorus is the second nutrient to be concerned about. Unlike potassium, which is removed from the body during dialysis, phosphorus stays in the body. It’s imperative to avoid foods high in phosphorus to avoid further health problems such as calcifications in the bones and blood vessels, muscle aches and pains, and itching.
Interestingly, the other foods believed to be good for you on a diet besides fruits and vegetables are high in phosphorus. Here’s a list below. Some of the items on the list will give amounts you can eat.
• eggs – only one allowed daily
• dried beans and peas – do not eat at all
• meat, poultry, wild game meats, seafood and fish – 7 – 8 oz. allowed daily
• milk – limited to ½ cup day
• chocolate – none allowed
• nuts and seeds – not allowed
The amount of phosphorus allowed on a dialysis diet is usually only 1000 mg per day. In addition, it’s important to use a phosphate binder that removes phosphorus from the body.
Anyone might think that eating a nice dinner of salmon, potatoes, beans, salad, tomato juice, whole grain dinner roll with butter, and a slice of home-baked cherry pie with ice cream would be ideal before dialysis but in reality, it can contribute to causing symptoms and making you sicker.
Phosphorus is disguised in a lot of processed foods so be wary. Read the label for preservatives such as the following:
• hexametaphosphate
• sodium phosphate
• monocalcium phosphate
• phosphoric acid
• dicalcium phosphate
These preservatives are commonly found in meats and beverages.
One of the foods limited for phosphorus intake is meat, and as long as you keep to the limit of 7 to 8 oz daily, you’ll be also taking care of your protein needs.
Sodium is Always a Concern for Someone With Kidney Disease
Foods most commonly containing a lot of sodium include the following ones on the list below and should be avoided:
• Salt in the salt shaker • Bacon • Hot dogs
• Luncheon meats • Deli meats • Canned meats
• Sausage • Most canned soups • Pickles
• Sauerkraut • Olives • Foods with MSG
• Salted crackers • Salted chips • Salted tortilla chips
• Mustard • Catsup • Bacon bits
Watch Your Fluid Intake
When you’re on dialysis, your renal dietitian will calculate how much fluid you’ll be able to drink daily. Although it’s usually a quart a day, the amount for you is customized to how much your body needs.
Following the dialysis diet isn’t similar to a weight loss diet where you can cheat one day and get back on track the next day. Some of the ‘boo-boos’ on a dialysis diet are life-threatening. Knowledge is the key. Get professional help just to be sure.
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Renal Diet Menu Headquarters -
Suggested Reading:
What Foods Should I Avoid On A Renal Diet? Let’s Talk About High Potassium Foods
Low Potassium Foods: Create A Fruit And Veggie Plate For Your Next Party
Diet For Dialysis: Guidelines And Help
October 14, 2013
Healthy Sources of Protein for a Renal Diet
On many renal diets, you may start to think there’s nothing to eat! All the old foods you used to eat are gone from your diet – although they may still be in your cabinets and the rest of your family is still eating them. Food is connected to many social events that it can be difficult to want to stay on your diet.
However, feeling worse the next day after cheating on your renal diet is enough of a reminder to get back on track and begin looking at what is so good about your renal diet.
Protein Foods Are On a Renal Diet!
The answer is the protein! You don’t have to give up the traditional sources of protein on a renal diet. You may have to eat less of them but they usually aren’t off your diet completely.
For example, chicken, turkey, pork and beef are allowed on a renal diet. You can cook these meats in a number of ways. Here are some examples:
• Grilled chicken breast with rosemary
• Savory chicken legs (cooked in ground savory)
• Fried chicken thighs
• Barbecued turkey wings
• Braised turkey legs in apricot sauce
• Roasted turkey breast and vegetable-rice stir-fry
• Pork chop with applesauce
• Meatloaf
• Filet mignon
• Tasty beef ribs
• Prime rib with horseradish
• Grilled beefsteak to share with your dog
• Top sirloin steak with onions
All these are enough to give your taste buds a big hug! But have you ever considered some of the other types of animal proteins that you could be eating? Just because you’re on a renal diet doesn’t mean you will be eating tasteless food for the rest of your life!
Protein Sources You Could Fall in Love With
What if you could discover new tastes and keep your taste buds overjoyed? Would it affect the rest of your life?
There are four new protein sources to consider:
1. Cornish hens. These are a more delicate flavor than chicken and you never have to worry about the meat ending up tough. A Cornish hen may be better for those on a renal diet – the bird isn’t as large as a chicken so the small amount of protein you are eating daily doesn’t leave too many leftovers if you are living alone.
2. Lamb. Ground lamb is tastier than ground beef in meatloaf or in burgers. Like with other healthy burgers, add some shredded carrots, onions, garlic, and even a bit of spinach. Even three or four mint leaves will really perk up the recipe and your appetite.
3. Ground buffalo (bison). With this one, you can rest assured that the meat hasn’t been modified in any way. You’ll get ground buffalo pretty close to the same ground buffalo that the pilgrims ate. All red meats are generally a good source of iron, and it may be one of the nutrients you have been quite low in recently.
4. Heritage turkeys. These birds don’t even look like our modern-day style turkeys. The turkeys are the original ones the pilgrims ate when they came to America. Full of omega 3 fats, heritage turkeys don’t even dry out after cooking and last in the refrigerator longer, too. These are the turkeys that the finest restaurants use because the birds rank highest in taste tests by top chefs worldwide.
Remember that on a renal diet, it’s not a good idea to include canned meats. This includes chili. Have you ever noticed the nutrient composition on the label for a can of chili? Most brands have less than 12 grams protein in it, which may be a perfect amount for someone on a renal diet.
One ounce of protein is equal to 7 grams protein. However, the tomato sauce in the chili is too high in sodium and potassium, which may be enough to put you over the top on a renal diet.
If you can think about your diet as a time to experiment and discover new tastes, you can best cope with a renal diet.
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Renal Diet Menu Headquarters -
Suggested Reading:
Recipe – Chili Con Carne
Renal Diet Plans for a Healthy Kidney
Top Ten Side Dishes To Eat With Your Pre-Dialysis Kidney Disease Meals
October 7, 2013
Kidney Disease and Diabetes: Six Things You Should Know to Prevent Renal Failure
If you have diabetes, you’ve got a lot on your plate, which may include a variety of diabetic complications. Depending upon your health, worrying about diabetic kidney disease might be the last thing on your mind. It shouldn’t be. What you do daily to manage your diabetes makes a big difference in your future kidney function, as well as your quality of life down the road. Here are six things you should know about this important complication of diabetes and what you can do decrease your chances of getting it.
Know Why You Care
Since diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in adults in the U.S., the more you understand about how your blood sugar affects your kidneys, the more committed you’ll be to keeping things in check. Don’t just do it because your doctor says you should, or because your spouse is hovering over your glucometer. Do it because you understand how a poorly managed blood sugar leads to damage in your body.
When your blood sugar stays higher than normal, it causes damage to the small blood vessels in your kidneys. These blood vessels serve tiny filters in the kidneys called glomeruli to keep needed proteins in your body and send waste toxins out. So when the vessels get damaged, your kidneys don’t function as they should, and you can end up with chronic renal failure (CRF). Since poorly managed chronic renal failure can advance to end-stage renal failure and the need for dialysis or kidney transplantation, it’s nothing to take lightly.
Know Your Blood Sugar
This really should go without saying when we’re discussing diabetes, but it’s surprising how many people who should monitor their blood sugars just don’t. It could be a matter of inconvenience, an assortment of other factors – or the BIG ONE – what they don’t know won’t hurt them. Well, in this case what they choose not to know can have dire consequences.
Depending upon the type of diabetes you have, and whether or not you take insulin, will help determine how often you should check your blood glucose levels.
Know Your Blood Pressure
Managing your blood pressure is a lot like managing your blood sugar – it’s the daily numbers that matter. Sure, it’s going to shoot up when something aggravates you, but a chronically high blood pressure can create all sorts of havoc in all sorts of places. Similar to the chicken and the egg, high blood pressure can be caused by kidney disease, and it can cause it as well.
Regardless of who started what, chronically high blood pressure creates increased stress on renal blood vessels and the fragile filtering tissue within the kidneys themselves. It’s important to know what your numbers are and to talk to your doctor about the range that’s best for you.
Know What to Test
If it’s diagnosed early enough, kidney disease can be slowed with the proper treatment. But if it’s not diagnosed until it’s had a chance to unpack its bags and put up its feet, kidney disease can progress to kidney failure. Since the timing of the diagnosis makes such a difference, it’s important to keep regular tabs on your kidneys’ health.
Important tests include:
Hgb A1C – gives weighted average of blood sugar over past 3 months – test at least twice a year.
Blood pressure – at least several times a year and more often if problematic.
Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) – tests how well kidneys are filtering – at least annually.
Urine – check for protein – at least once a year.
Blood – check for toxins such as an increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine – according to need.
Know What to Look For
It’s important to know what the kidney disease symptoms are, but don’t wait until they show up to pay attention to your kidney health. By the time they appear, your kidney disease may already be established and progressing faster than you realize.
Early signs include:
Small levels of protein in the urine (microalbuminuria)
Weight gain
Ankle swelling
Using the bathroom more at night
High blood pressure
Late signs include:
Large amounts of protein in urine (macroalbuminuria)
Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Increased blood creatinine
Nausea
Vomiting
Decreased appetite
Weakness
Increased fatigue
Itching
Muscle Cramps
Anemia
Decreased insulin need
Know What to Do
The good news is that there are many things you can do to prevent diabetic kidney complications.
Keep a tight rein on your blood sugar – your doctor will help you know what level is best for you.
Keep your blood pressure under control – usually under 140/90, or according to your doctor’s guidance.
Follow the right diet – often that means low protein and low sodium, but your renal dietician can tell you what’s best for you.
Ask your doctor about medications – ACE inhibitors not only lower high blood pressure, they improve kidney function as well.
Know Where to Find Help
Although diabetes is an incredibly common disease in our country, it’s easy to feel alone when facing the multiple challenges it presents. In addition to your doctor and renal dietician, there are many organizations that deal with kidney disease and specifically, support for those with diabetic kidney disease complications.
If you’re a diabetic, you certainly do have a lot on your plate. But by paying attention, knowing how to take care of yourself, and following through, you’ll increase your chances of enjoying happy, healthy kidneys for many years to come.
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Renal Diet Menu Headquarters -
Suggested Reading:
Did You Know That 30% Of People With Diabetes Will Develop Kidney Disease?
A Chronic Renal Failure Meal Plan Is Important in Pre-Dialysis Kidney Disease
How Quickly Will My Chronic Kidney Disease Progress To Dialysis?
September 30, 2013
Guidelines on Following a CKD Diet-Chronic Kidney Disease Diet
Guidelines on Following a Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Diet
When you have chronic kidney disease or CKD, you need to follow a special type of diet to ensure that your body will continue to function well despite your kidney disease. A CKD diet will control the amount of protein, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, and potassium in your diet, since your kidneys can no longer remove the toxins and waste products in your body. If you have CKD, you need to have a CKD diet in order to decrease the workload of your kidney and maintain its function.
You will need a nutritionist to help you plan your CKD diet. But for the meantime, here are the guidelines that you need to remember if you are planning to have a CKD diet:
Limit your protein intake
The body needs protein in order to build muscles, repair tissues, and fight infections. However, when the body breaks down protein, it also releases urea, a waste product that usually goes out in the urine. Since your kidneys are no longer functioning well, there is a danger that urea might not be properly excreted by the body. Therefore, a CKD diet will help prevent urea overload in the kidneys. You need to limit your protein intake by cutting down high protein foods such as fish, meat, poultry, dairy, and eggs. Your nutritionist will tell you how much protein your condition warrants in your CKD diet.
Further reading on Protein..Click Here!
Limit your phosphorus intake
Phosphorus can build up in your blood, and your kidneys might not be able to get rid of it. This may cause your bones to lose calcium and weaken. Foods that are high in phosphorus content and should be limited in your CKD diet include dairy products, nuts, whole grains, beer, cocoa, and cola drinks.
Further reading on Phosphorus..Click Here!
Limit your sodium intake
Sodium or salt is linked to kidney disease and hypertension. This could also lead to fluid retention in the body, thus causing your blood pressure to shoot up and your extremities to swell. In your CKD diet, you need to limit your sodium intake to 1500 milligrams per day. Avoid using extra salt in your CKD diet, and also avoid processed foods because they are very high in sodium.
Further reading on Sodium..Click Here!
Limit your potassium intake
Without healthy kidney, potassium can build up in your body, causing irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias. Foods that are high in potassium and should be limited in a CKD diet include fruits and vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, beans, bananas, pumpkins, spinach, mushrooms, and dried peas.
Further reading on Potassium..Click Here!
Limit your fluid intake
As previously mentioned, kidney disease makes you retain fluid since your kidneys cannot excrete excess fluid in your body. This could lead to swelling, or worse, fluid buildup in your lungs, thus making it hard for you to breathe. Your suggested fluid intake in your CKD diet will depend on your urine output, fluid buildup, and blood pressure. One way to limit your fluid intake is to sip small amounts of fluid each day and use smaller cups and glasses. You should also remember that foods also contain fluids, and that these should be taken into account in your CKD diet.
Further reading on Fluid Intakes..Click Here!
Remember to stick to your CKD diet so that you will be able to maintain the highest quality of living achievable for people with chronic kidney disease.
SEE MY RENAL DIET MEAL PLANNERS CLICK HERE!
Your Daily Meal Pattern-Begins with Breakfast
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Renal Diet Menu Headquarters -
Suggested Reading:
Renal Diet Guidelines for Kidney Dialysis
A Chronic Renal Failure Meal Plan Is Important in Pre-Dialysis Kidney Disease
Diet For Dialysis: Guidelines And Help
September 23, 2013
Laboratory Exams For Chronic Kidney Disease:CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE LABS
To fully diagnose a patient with chronic kidney disease, a complete set of laboratory tests or exams should be carried out. From the name of the disease itself, being chronic signifies a long-standing disease that the patient himself or herself may not even be aware of. Although symptoms can be obviously observed and the doctor may readily suspect a renal pathology, a sound examination through laboratory and diagnostic procedures based on medical protocol is done in order to confirm the diagnostic consideration.
In this article, we have listed down, in no particular order, the important chronic kidney disease labs used by physicians to conclude a chronic kidney disease:
Urinalysis: chronic kidney disease labs
Urine analysis is a routine chronic kidney disease labs test that helps physicians draw out specific considerations in their diagnoses. The presence of indicators, particularly albumin/protein in the urinalysis may rule in chronic kidney disease. Microalbumin in the urine that is not associated with certain diseases such as urinary tract infection may indicate serious renal consideration.
Other indicators in routine urinalysis that can help in the diagnosis include specific gravity and color of the urine. Urinary sediments such as hyaline casts and/or muddy brown granular casts are also equally important indicators in routine urine analysis.
BUN and Plasma Creatinine Concentration: chronic kidney disease labs
The next of the usual chronic kidney disease labs to evaluate kidney functions are Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Plasma Creatinine Concentration (PCr). This is ordered by physicians as BUN and Creatinine and is usually understood by medical technologists as being blood chemistry tests. In routine, the patient is ordered to go on fasting for at least 8 hours to a maximum of 10 hours. No food or water should be taken before the tests; a small amount of blood (perhaps 5 ml) is extracted from the patient and the blood is run through a machine that determines the said components in the blood.
Urea and creatinine are the by-products of protein metabolism, and the kidneys are the main organs that remove them out of our body. The nitrogenous wastes are increased when the kidneys are not functioning normally. Being part of the protein metabolism, urea (in particular) are wastes that should not be retained in the blood. Thus, if any of these blood components are increased, the lab test will tell the physician of a renal problem. BUN to creatinine ratio is also computed as part of the physician’s diagnosis. Creatinine is also used to estimate the so-called glomerular filtration rate—a calculation that evaluates how well the kidneys filter blood.
Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): chronic kidney disease labs
Another important blood chemistry that is used to evaluate a chronic kidney disease is the Fasting Blood Sugar or the Fasting Blood Glucose. As its name implies, FBS is done after the patient at least has undergone a minimum of 8-hour fasting.
Increased FBS may indicate Diabetes Mellitus. It can be left undiagnosed for years and can damage the blood vessels in the kidney; thus, causing chronic kidney disease.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): chronic kidney disease labs
As routine as urinalysis, CBC helps physicians evaluate renal patients for any signs of anemia. Since blood is filtered through the kidneys, it should be analyzed for any untoward need for medical intervention. The need for dialysis is often evaluated together with CBC in long-standing kidney disease.
Important indicators in Complete Blood Blount include hemoglobin and hematocrit counts. Additionally, other blood analyses are important to conclude anemia such as iron and serum ferritin tests.
Parathyroid Tests: chronic kidney disease labs
Parathyroid hormones control the level of calcium in the blood. As part of the diagnostic procedure, a physician may order parathyroid hormone tests to evaluate the function of the parathyroid glands. This is in connection with the cascading effects from poor phosphorus metabolism by the kidneys that in turn may affect calcium metabolism and parathyroid hormone release.
Radiologic and Imaging Studies: chronic kidney disease labs
Ultrasound of the kidneys is used to evaluate any obstruction in the urinary tract. Other alternative imaging modalities are Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography.
Additionally, ultrasound can help estimate the presence of the chronic renal disease—as to how long has it been there. Other causes of possible obstruction can be evaluated through imaging studies in order for the physician to rule in our out any other existing diseases such as polycystic kidney disease.
Restricted blood flow in the kidneys can also be evaluated by other imaging studies such as Angiogram or the Duplex Doppler Studies. These studies help to assess causes of restricted blood flow in chronic kidney disease.
Though some physicians may or may not order everything mentioned above, the final diagnosis for chronic kidney disease is usually assessed by these diagnostic examinations. A sound diagnosis needs a good clinical and laboratory evaluation. And for every physician’s final diagnosis, a thorough assessment is always essential.
For great Books on predialysis kidney disease, see my Author Page on Amazon Here!
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Suggested Reading:
Living With Chronic Kidney Disease-Predialysis AKA My First Book!
A Chronic Renal Failure Meal Plan Is Important in Pre-Dialysis Kidney Disease
How Quickly Will My Chronic Kidney Disease Progress To Dialysis?
September 17, 2013
Renal Diet Education Handouts
If you are searching for renal diet education handouts you have come to the right spot. As I take calls and receive emails from all over the United States I find that many clinics and practices are in need of renal diet education materials. I took those calls and emails to create the most comprehensive list of renal diet education handouts that you can find for free on the web. As long as the documents are not altered, you may add your clinic stamp and reproduce the renal diet education handouts as you wish. I hope that you will use these renal diet education handouts to inform your patients on the importance of renal diet nutrition. These can be used for the appropriate diets as needed for pre-dialysis, dialysis and pre-dialysis diabetic.
Here is the best list for renal diet education handouts:
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Suggested Reading:
Blueberry Renal Diet-July is “National Blueberry Month”
September 16, 2013
Diet For Kidney Failure Stage 4
The stages of kidney failure designate the level of damage to kidney. Staging can also signify the relative kidney function. Patients on stage 4 kidney failure more often than not are still non-dialysis patients. In this article, we will be discussing kidney failure as the chronic type, or the long-standing form. The staging used here will be relative to the chronic renal failure type.
As earlier mentioned, pre-dialysis patients may include stage 4 kidney failure patients. However, that depends on individual presentation and requirements. The diet that comes along with this stage is also important to ensure kidney longevity and avoid further damage.
In stage 4 kidney failure, the kidneys are already in “preparation” to the next stage, which is stage 5. In stage 5 (also end-stage), dialysis and transplant are required. Thus, it is essential to take care of the kidneys in every stage; more importantly when it is already in the higher stages, that includes stage 4.
Stage 4 – The Restricting Diet: Diet For Kidney Failure Stage 4
At stage 4, the kidneys function from 15-29 percent of the expected normal function. Further damage thus is imminent and diet should be restricted to its maximum, as much as possible. A strict dietitian or nutritionist should work hand in hand with your physician in order to ensure the most favorable kidney health.
You can also get meal plans on this website to help you cope with the difficulty of the diet.
Included in the restrictions are: protein, fluids, electrolytes and minerals (potassium, sodium and phosphorus). A balanced diet with fats and carbohydrates are adjusted according to a patient’s weight and age to go with the required calories per day.
• Protein restriction:Diet For Kidney Failure Stage 4
For the most part of a patient in a stage 4 kidney failure, protein is maximally restricted. Take note that the kidneys take part in most of protein metabolism in the body. Nitrogen is the by-product of this process, which has quite a taxing effect on the kidneys. A protein intake of 0.6 g per kilogram of body weight according to the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiatives (K/DOQI) Nutrition Guidelines is actually beneficial for glomerular filtration. This guideline is further computed and assessed by a nutritionist to give you a list of the equivalent daily protein intake.
It should be noted that only protein from quality food sources should be taken and added to the diet list.
• Fluid restriction:Diet For Kidney Failure Stage 4
In order to avoid fluid accumulation, edema and of course additional kidney workload, fluids should also be restricted daily. For patients, this will be quite hard to maintain because thirst will always come in the way. However, this should be on strict monitoring because as the kidneys progress into further damage, urine output decreases and fluid retention will ensue. This condition will result in edema, shortness of breath and even high blood pressure.
• Electrolyte and Mineral restriction:Diet For Kidney Failure Stage 4
Potassium is restricted from 2000 to 3000 mg daily. Take note that potassium may accumulate when not restricted in stage 4 kidney failure and may cause fatal results such as heart attack if not strictly monitored.
Phosphorus restriction is from 800 to 1000 mg daily. When not monitored accordingly, phosphorus may retain in the body and cause a cascading effect of poor calcium absorption. This will in turn lead the parathyroid hormone to affect the release of calcium and phosphorus from bones. The overall effect to bones, heart and blood vessels may be devastating.
Sodium should also be restricted in stage 4 kidney failure. Based on certain aspects such as blood pressure and fluid balance, sodium is limited only from 1000 to 4000 mg daily. In restricting sodium from the diet, fluid retention and thirst is controlled.
Calories and Overall Health:Diet For Kidney Failure Stage 4
In order to achieve not only optimal kidney health but overall health as well, calorie intake should be monitored as well. In protein restriction itself, a patient on strict renal diet can suffer weight loss due to decrease supply of calories from protein. Adding more protein when this condition occurs may risk kidney health. Thus, consulting your nutritionist on a regular basis will help a lot in controlling calorie intake and ensuring you have the best kidney health possible as you prepare for dialysis.
One of the best ways to avoid weight loss on renal diet is to adjust carbohydrate and fat intake. In this way, calorie intake will be increased and weight loss is avoided to a certain extent. If protein needs to be adjusted due to muscle loss, always seek professional advice.
A healthy diet may be quite limiting for stage 4 kidney failure patients, but this is the best way one can do in order to evade the more damaging effects of the unnecessary foods to the kidneys. With this, progression to stage 5 is delayed and the kidneys are safeguarded from further injury and damage.
Working to improve your health is important, and you can slow the progression of your kidney failure with a great diet.
For a Great Predialysis Cookbook see my cookbook on Amazon!
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Renal Diet Menu Headquarters -
Suggested Reading:
Follow A Diet for Kidney Failure for Success
Kidney Failure Diet – What Is It?
A Chronic Renal Failure Meal Plan Is Important in Pre-Dialysis Kidney Disease
September 9, 2013
Grapefruit On A Renal Diet: Can I Eat Grapefruit On A Renal Diet?
CAN I EAT GRAPEFRUIT ON A RENAL DIET?
A renal diet basically includes restriction of potassium in most cases. Potassium is an electrolyte that is essential in a lot of processes in our body in the cellular level. However, as the old adage goes—“too much of anything is not good,” and it applies to every food we eat including potassium. Grapefruit is a healthy fruit that contains high content of potassium. Thus, by just knowing that grapefruit is potassium-rich; one may react immediately that you cannot eat grapefruit on a renal diet. To answer such question, it is essential to learn how important this electrolyte restriction is in a renal diet first.
Why Is It Important to Restrict Potassium?-grapefruit on a renal diet
Electrolytes including potassium are part of what the kidneys filter during the daily process or when they execute their functions. A patient on dialysis also builds up waste products in the blood and thus, is required to go on renal diet that includes potassium-restriction.
If a patient has been diagnosed with renal or kidney disease, he or she obviously has lower kidney functions compared to a normal or average person with fully functional kidneys. When potassium is high in the diet, the poorly functional kidneys can suffer a great deal. This condition may put the diseased kidneys at risk.
Not only that, if the diseased kidneys are put under too much potassium stress, the load may be too high; thus, they can no longer filter potassium normally. This may lead to the accumulation of potassium in the body—a condition known as hyperkalemia (increased potassium in the blood). Too much potassium may endanger the skeletal and heart muscles. Build up of potassium in heart muscles may result in abnormal heart rhythms and death.
In this regard, it is only important that potassium be restricted on renal diet to as much as 2000 mg of potassium a day.
The Grapefruit, It’s Potassium Content and Renal Diet:
Most citrus fruits contain high amounts of potassium. Grapefruit is one in the list of potassium-rich fruits. Grapefruit juice contains about 400 mg of potassium per cup and that is relatively high compared to other fruits. If say, we can produce a cup of pure grapefruit for a medium-sized fruit, one can consume as much as 200 mg of potassium for a half grapefruit.
If a renal diet restricts one to consume only up to 2000 mg of potassium a day, half of grapefruit already will take up 10 percent of that restriction. We can take in potassium from many sorts of foods in minimal amounts; if these are added together, we can go beyond the restriction of 2000 mg of potassium a day.
So is it okay to consume grapefruit or not?—Grapefruit On A Renal Diet
Most physicians will advise patients with long-standing kidney disease to avoid potassium-rich foods and that includes grapefruit. You should, of course, follow the directions of your doctor if they speak to you about it directly and want you to omit it from your diet. If you are taking certain medications, you should avoid grapefruit at certain times.
Final Verdict on Grapefruit:grapefruit on a renal diet?
Patients on renal diet can enjoy foods that a normal person consume; however, on a very restricted level. When a patient is put on a renal diet, a lot of foods he or she normally eats will be limited, if not totally eliminated.
Renal diets should not be totally restricting in a sense that they are almost boring and tasteless. Grapefruit can still be consumed, but should be limited based on how much your doctor tells you.
A dietitian or nutritionist will be the one to assess the amounts of nutrients you need in a renal diet. If you crave grapefruit from time to time and you are on a renal diet, it will no longer be a strict elimination as long as other foods with high potassium are restricted for that day. In other words, balance is the key to making the meals healthy yet being able to eat what you want.
On the other hand, if you can adjust your cravings, by all means—avoidance is the perfect solution to safeguard optimal kidney health. Always put in mind the term “moderation.” Only in renal diet, it should be more highly managed. In this way, potassium accumulation is controlled and kidney longevity is improved.
If you want to know about more kidney diets that you could follow, please check out our meal plans at : Renal Diets Listing
Also, I have a great book published on Amazon on Potassium, see it here……
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Suggested Reading:
Can I Eat Cranberries On A Renal Diet?
What Foods Should I Avoid On A Renal Diet? Let’s Talk About High Potassium Foods
What Kidney Diet Should I Follow For 20% Kidney Function?
