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Chronic Renal Disease: Treatment & Diet

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Chronic renal disease (CRD), in the initial stages shows very few symptoms or signs. It may be less apparent until the function of your kidney gets considerably damaged.
In this article you will learn the treatment for chronic renal disease (CRD) and essential diet modifications for managing chronic renal disease (CRD).

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Treatment for Chronic Renal Disease (CRD)
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Treatment for Chronic Renal Disease (CRD)

The type of the kidney disease which leads to chronic renal disease (CRD) will determine the appropriate treatment for chronic renal disease (CRD).
Though, the researchers says that chronic renal disease (CRD) has no cure, generally the treatment is completely focused to control the symptoms of chronic renal disease (CRD), lessen the disease progression and reduce complications of chronic renal disease (CRD). Kidneys that are damaged severely require treatment for kidney disease end-stage.

Treating the Cause of Chronic Renal Disease (CRD)

Doctors work to control or reduce the actual reason for chronic renal disease (CRD). The treatments may vary based on the cause of chronic renal disease (CRD). When there is high blood pressure, kidney damage may worsen and needs to be controlled.

Treating Complications in Chronic Renal Disease (CRD)

Complications in kidney disease for chronic renal disease (CRD) may be controlled to ensure comfort. Treatments may include:

  • Medications are provided to manage the complication of high blood pressure for chronic renal disease (CRD). People affected with kidney disease experience severe high blood pressure. Medications may be recommended to reduce blood pressure, commonly inhibitors (ACE) angiotensin converting enzyme or angiotensin II receptor blockers help save kidney function. The medications of high blood pressure decrease the kidney function initially and change the levels of electrolyte. Thus there is a need for regular blood tests to check the condition. Hence, doctors recommend a low-salt diet and a water pill (diuretic).
  • Medications are given to manage the complications of high cholesterol levels for chronic renal disease (CRD). Medications may be recommended to reduce the levels of cholesterol. Bad cholesterol to high levels is experienced by people with chronic renal disease (CRD) and this increases the heart disease risk.
    Medications are prescribed to alleviate swelling complication in chronic renal disease (CRD). Retaining fluids results in swelling of legs in people with chronic renal disease (CRD). Medication such as diuretics helps in maintaining the fluids balance in your body.
  • Medications to cure anemia which is a complication in chronic renal disease (CRD). Doctors may recommend hormone erythropoietin supplements with added iron. These help in more red blood cells production and relieves from weakness and fatigue.
  • Medications protecting your bones, as weak bones are a complication for chronic renal disease (CRD). Doctors prescribe vitamin D and calcium supplements, thus prevent weak bones and reduce the risks of fracture. Taking medications help in lowering phosphate amount in your blood, thus you can protect the blood vessels from damaging the calcium deposits.
  • Minimizing the waste products in blood stream with a low protein diet is a complication reducer for chronic renal disease (CRD). Your body processes protein and create waste products from foods and your kidneys work is to filter it from your blood. The work of your kidneys must be reduced and so eat less protein is recommended. Reduce protein intake, yet ensure a healthy diet is taken.

Treatment for Kidney Disease End-Stage for Chronic Renal Disease (CRD)

Kidneys do not keep up with fluid and waste clearance on their own and so causes kidney failure to end-stage kidney disease. At such a point, kidney transplant or dialysis is needed for chronic renal disease (CRD).

  • Kidney transplant for chronic renal disease (CRD) involves placing surgically a health kidney into your body. The transplanted kidneys may be from living or deceased donors. Taking medications is must for all your life so that the new organ is not rejected by your body.
  • Dialysis for chronic renal disease (CRD) is a way of artificially removing extra fluid and waste products from your blood. This is done as your kidneys are unable to do it anymore. This includes hemodialysis, where the waste and excess fluids is filtered by a machine from your blood. A thin tube known as catheter in peritoneal dialysis is inserted in the abdomen filling your abdominal cavity with the solution of dialysis such that it absorbs excess fluids and waste. The dialysis solution, after some time drains from your body with the waste.

Patients who choose to not have kidney transplant or dialysis for chronic renal disease (CRD), can consider a third option to cure your kidney failure with strict measures. However, with complete kidney failure, the expectancy of life is for only a few weeks.

Diet for Chronic Renal Disease (CRD)

Making changes to your diet becomes inevitable with chronic renal disease (CRD). The major changes include:

  1. Having a diet with low amount of protein for managing chronic renal disease (CRD).
  2. In order to manage chronic renal disease (CRD), fluids intake should be limited.
  3. Having enough calories, in case the patient is losing weight.
  4. Management of chronic renal disease (CRD) includes limiting potassium, salt, phosphorous and other electrolytes.

You may have to change your diet in case the kidney disease gets worsens, or you require dialysis.

The diet helps in keeping the minerals, electrolytes and fluid levels in your body balanced when you are on dialysis or have chronic renal disease (CRD). People on dialysis require following special diet so that the waste buildup is limited in the body.

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Consult with your doctor to suggest a registered dietitian to assist with your diet for chronic renal disease (CRD). Your dietitian can create a suitable diet to suit your health needs.

  1. Carbohydrates Diet for Chronic Renal Disease (CRD)

    Carbohydrates Diet for Chronic Renal Disease (CRD)

    A good diet with enough carbohydrates is helpful for chronic renal disease (CRD). These are good foods offering energy and you can eat if you have no problem with carbohydrates. In case you are recommended for a diet with low protein, replace it with:

    • Breads, fruits, vegetables and grains. Such foods offer required energy, vitamins, minerals and fiber to handle chronic renal disease (CRD).
    • Sugar, hard candies, jelly and honey. These are good even at high-calorie desserts such as cakes, pies or cookies, provided you restrict desserts made with nuts, chocolate, dairy or bananas.
  2. Fats for Chronic Renal Disease (CRD)

    Fats are an excellent source of calories. Use monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (safflower oil, canola oil, olive oil) to safeguard your health of the heart and for the proper management of chronic renal disease (CRD).

  3. Proteins for Chronic Renal Disease (CRD)

    Diets with low-protein may be helpful prior to starting dialysis for chronic renal disease (CRD). Your doctor may recommend a moderate-protein diet (per day 1 gram protein per kg of body weight) for chronic renal disease (CRD).

    On starting dialysis, you must eat more protein. A diet with high-protein means you may include fish, eggs, pork or poultry with every meal. This helps in replacing muscles and other tissues.

    People on dialysis for chronic renal disease (CRD) should eat every day high-protein foods of 8-10 ounces. Your doctor may suggest adding protein powder, egg white powder or egg whites.

  4. Calcium and Phosphorous for Chronic Renal Disease (CRD)

    Calcium and phosphorous are the minerals in diet that needs to be checked frequently if you have chronic renal disease (CRD). Even in the chronic renal disease (CRD) early stages phosphorous levels can get too high in the blood. This may cause:

    • Itching sensations and
    • Low calcium. The body pulls calcium from your bones, thus your bones break as they become weaker.

    There is a need to restrict the amount of dairy food consumption for managing chronic renal disease (CRD), as they have phosphorous in large amounts. This includes cheese, milk and yogurt.

    • Vegetables and fruits contain phosphorous in small amounts, but may have potassium in large amounts.
    • You may take calcium supplements to avert bone disease, and vitamin D to balance calcium and phosphorous. Ask your dietitian about the ways to get these nutrients for your chronic renal disease (CRD).
    • Dietitians may recommend “phosphorous binders”, medicines, in case your diet changes alone fails to control the mineral balance in your body.
  5. Fluid Intake for Chronic Renal Disease (CRD)

    Fluid intake should be watched carefully in your diet if you have any kind of kidney problem and especially chronic renal disease (CRD). In the initial stages of chronic renal disease (CRD), you need not limit the fluid intake. But, as it gets worse, or when on dialysis, you must watch the liquid you take in.

    Amidst dialysis sessions, fluid may build up. Too much fluid results in shortness of breath that requires instant medical attention.

    Dialysis nurse and your doctor will let you know the quantity of fluids to be taken every day. If you are a victim of chronic renal disease (CRD), avoid eating much of foods containing water, such as soups, grapes, ice cream, tomatoes, lettuce, celery and melons. Use smaller glasses or cups and turn your cup once you finish it. Below are few tips to avoid becoming thirsty:

    • Prevent salty foods if you have chronic renal disease (CRD).
    • Freeze juice in an ice cube tray and pop in like a Popsicle. Make sure not to consume too many ice cubes.
    • Remain cool body temperature even on hot days.
  6. Salt Intake in Diet for Chronic Renal Disease (CRD)

    In general, it is better to consume as little as possible. If you have chronic renal disease (CRD), the salt in diet should be very less. Reduce sodium from your diet as it helps in controlling high blood pressure. It prevents you from being thirsty, and averts your body retaining extra fluid. You may need to cut salt from your diet. Look on food labels for these words:

    • Low-sodium
    • Unsalted
    • Sodium-reduced
    • Sodium-free
    • No salt added.

    Check labels to know the salt in each serving. Consider foods or products that have salt per serving less than 100mg.

    Avoid using salt when cooking and also make sure to remove the salt shaker from the table in order to manage chronic renal disease (CRD). All the other herbs are safe, and they can be used to flavor your food.

    Do not use any sort of salt substitutes as they contain potassium. People with chronic renal disease (CRD) complaint should compulsorily keep a check on the intake of potassium as well.

  7. Potassium in Diet for Chronic Renal Disease (CRD)

    Potassium in the diet should be checked regularly if you have chronic renal disease (CRD). Potassium levels in normal keeps your heart steadily beating. But, the potassium levels buildup is high as the kidneys fail to function well. In fact, dangerous heart rhythms lead to death as well.

    Potassium is easily listed in many food groups, and this also includes fruits and vegetables. Picking the right item from food groups, help in control ling the potassium levels in your body.

    When eating fruits for managing potassium levels in chronic renal disease (CRD):

    • Avoid or restrict orange juice and oranges, kiwis, nectarines, dried fruit or raisins, cantaloupe, bananas, prunes and honeydew.
    • Choose pears, grapes, peaches, watermelon, tangerines, plums, pineapple, berries, apples and cherries.

    When eating vegetables for managing potassium levels in chronic renal disease (CRD):

    • Avoid potatoes, avocado, asparagus, tomato sauce, tomatoes, pumpkin, winter squash, cooked spinach and avocado for properly managing chronic renal disease (CRD).
    • Choose cabbage, celery, lettuce, zucchini, broccoli, cucumber, cauliflower, carrots, wax and green beans, eggplant, yellow squash, watercress, peppers and onion.
  8. Iron for Chronic Renal Disease (CRD)

    Iron as a dietary intake is essential for chronic renal disease (CRD). People suffering with advanced kidney failure in chronic renal disease (CRD) may have anemia and require extra iron.

    Foods containing extra iron are pork, beef, liver, kidney beans, chicken and iron-fortified cereals. Consult with your dietitian or doctor about foods with iron as you have chronic renal disease (CRD).

References:

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:September 13, 2023

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