The Difficulties of Living with Kidney Disease: Diet Modification & Fluid Restriction

Kidney Disease

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located in the retroperitoneal cavity. When they are working properly, these organs have several important functions. They filter wastes from the blood, maintain normal fluid and electrolyte balances in the body and produce urine. When kidney function declines, it is more difficult for them to filter the blood. Waste products and fluids build up, causing edema (swelling) and feelings of illness and fatigue.

Diet Modification

You can slow down the progression of kidney disease by modifying your diet. Because protein metabolism puts a great strain on the kidneys, many people with kidney disease must follow a low-protein diet. The American Association of Kidney Patients recommends that kidney disease patients restrict their protein intake to 0.6 g of protein for kg of body weight each day. This means that a 150-lb. person would need to eat 40.9 g of protein each day. Limit your protein intake by eating small amounts of meat, poultry, fish and nuts.

Your doctor may ask you to limit your intake of potassium, phosphorus, and sodium. When the kidneys do not function properly, they do not maintain normal levels of these minerals in the body. If potassium levels get too high, you can experience serious cardiac complications. High phosphorus levels cause the body to leech calcium from the bones, which can lead to osteoporosis and other bone conditions. Excess sodium causes fluid retention, which leads to swelling and hypertension (high blood pressure).

Fluid Intake

Patients with advanced kidney disease may be unable to maintain normal fluid levels in the body. If this happens, your doctor will ask you to limit your fluid intake. This means that you need to decrease the amount of liquid you drink each day. You must also limit your consumption of ice cream, ice pops, and other foods that turn into liquid after you eat them. There is no specific fluid intake recommendation. Your doctor will determine your fluid intake needs on an individual basis.

Kidney Disease Symptoms

As your kidney disease progresses, you may begin to experience some of the most bothersome symptoms of the disease. Fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and itchy skin are common symptoms. You may develop high blood pressure as the result of damage to the blood vessels that supply the kidneys. If you develop high blood pressure, additional dietary changes may be necessary. If your blood pressure does not decrease, your doctor may prescribe medication. Diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, vasodilators, angiotensin receptor blockers, and calcium channel blockers treat high blood pressure.