Just diagnosed

If your doctor has just told you that you have a Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) it might come to you as a shock. But this is not the end. With proper care and will power, you can live a long healthy life. Read on to know how you can keep this disease under control and carry on with your life.

Eat well

Anyway you know what is good and bad for your health. It's time to just take it seriously. Watching what you eat and drink is one of the best ways to slow down the damage to your kidneys and feel your best. If you are not sure where to start, do not worry. Ask your doctor for help find a dietitian who can help you plan meals and snacks that you will want to eat.

Stay active

This is also something that you have known all along. You might have purchased a well researched gym membership too. If only memberships could work out! Get at least 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week. This can be walking with a friend, swimming, riding a bicycle or even dancing. If it is something you enjoy, you will be more likely to do it!

As much as your health allows, keep your daily routine similar to before you found out you have CKD. If you have a job, try to continue working. Keep doing any hobbies or activities you enjoy, such as sports or attending clubs or groups you are in. If you smoke or use tobacco, stop now. It's your life at stake, no one else is going to fight for it. You have to.

Follow the doctor's advice

Follow your doctor's instructions. Your doctor may prescribe medicines, recommend changes to what you eat or tell you to make other changes to your lifestyle. You need to trust his knowledge and sincerely work out a plan to abide by his instructions.

Ask questions

If you do not understand your treatment plan, or not sure you can follow it, speak up! Ask your doctor to explain it in a different way, or talk to them about what might keep you from following their instructions. Ask questions about your tests and treatments, such as:

What tests do I need and how often will I have them?
What treatments will I need? Do they have any side effects?

When to see the doctor?

Apart from routine visits, it's very important to know the indications to visit a Nephrologist without any further delay. Ask your doctor about specific symptoms that you might develop. Look out for the good as well as the bad ones. Keep your doctor's number handy.

Keep track of your medicines

If you have already not done this, then make a list of all your medicines. Even the ones that are not related to your newly found condition. Buy a daily pill box so that you don't mix them up. Or just put them in different containers, say one for the morning and another for the night. Share the list with your partner. Make sure to let your doctor know about all the medicines that you take. There are some medicines that people with CKD should not take. Avoid taking drugs over the counter without a prescription.

Changes

You know your body best. Keep track of how you are feeling every day. Write down any symptoms you have or changes in how you feel–even if they do not seem like they are related to kidney disease. Bring these changes up with your doctor.

Plan ahead

The goal of CKD treatment is to slow the damage to your kidneys and keep them working as well as they can for as long as possible. In time, though, many people's kidney functions will deteriorate, leading to kidney failure. If this happens, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Plan ahead. Keep your options ready. Short list the options that suits your needs as well as pocket.

Home team

Teach your family and friends what you have learned about CKD so they can better understand what you are going through.
Do not be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You may need a ride to a doctor appointment or help with chores if you are feeling tired.
Make a list of people who can help and their phone numbers and keep it handy.
Support groups for people with kidney disease can be a welcoming place to talk about your experiences and feelings. Like our Facebook page to connect with people just like you–they can offer advice and support about everyday life with kidney disease.

You can also join our Protect Kidney Forum to share your experience. Help others and help yourself.

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