Diet For People With Kidney Failure
Patients with kidney failure have special nutritional needs because of the risks associated with their condition. Therefore, it is often advised that they make certain changes to their diet. In fact, depending on the case, the nutritionist will design a unique meal plan that meets your needs.
How should these diets be? What are the most recommended foods? This time we want to do a brief review of this disease and the dietary recommendations for its control. Find out!
What is kidney failure?
To quote the US National Library of Medicine, kidney failure is a disease of the kidneys, which occurs when the kidneys fail to filter toxins and waste substances from the blood. In other words, it is a progressive deterioration of the kidneys to clean the blood of our body.
What are your causes?
The origin of kidney failure is not completely known. However, some of the factors that could intervene in its appearance, according to the American Kidney Fund , are the following:
- Arterial hypertension
- Diabetes
- High level of cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood
- Hereditary diseases such as Alpont’s syndrome or Polycystic kidney disease
- Failures in the structure of the nephron, responsible for purifying the blood
Your symptoms are…
The most common symptoms in people with kidney failure are listed below, depending on each organism:
- Itch
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea or vomiting
- Lack of hunger
- Swelling of the feet and ankles
- Urinating too much or too little
- Difficulty breathing
- Trouble sleeping
- Diarrhea
- Fishy breath
- Abdominal or back pain
- Fever
- Nose bleeds
- Eruption
Dialysis in kidney failure
People suffering from kidney failure need dialysis. This is the process by which the patient is connected to a machine that replaces the kidney. That is, it fulfills the function of extracting toxins and excess water from the blood until it is clean.
These patients tend to urinate very little or not at all. This is why a limitation of fluids is needed between each treatment because if the person cannot urinate, the retained fluid will concentrate inside the body, in different areas.
A change in diet is recommended
To prevent kidney failure and keep your kidneys healthy, it is very important to eat a good diet. If you already suffer from the disease, it will surely be necessary to make some changes in your diet.
First of all, going to a specialized nutritionist is the best option to obtain the necessary guidance and counteract the disease. Let’s see some general guidelines based on the Food Guide for kidney patients created by the Municipal Services of Murcia in collaboration with the Association for the Help of Renal Patients.
It is recommended to drink 2 liters of water daily, to help the kidneys to eliminate the corresponding toxins. Likewise, it is extremely important that the affected patient avoid alcohol consumption.
The diet to follow is usually low in protein, where sodium and potassium consumption is also restricted. Additionally, phosphorus and calcium levels should be monitored.
In the case of people who are undergoing dialysis, it is necessary to consume a sufficient amount of calories, as they tend to lose weight very quickly. In addition, it is suggested to consume food in small quantities to avoid vomiting or decompensation in the body.
Fruits like papaya, grapes, and pin are rich in fluids and are considered diuretic. Grains and vegetables are also a good option to replace calories from protein.
On the other hand, it is recommended to avoid dairy products or others that irritate the stomach.
Basically, the diet must have a balance between electrolytes, minerals and fluids necessary to help the kidneys function and stay healthy.
The kidneys are a key part of our body. Thus, they are responsible for cleaning our body and keeping us purified and healthy. That is why everyone is invited to learn about kidney failure and learn about the most appropriate eating methods for our health.
