What Should I Pay Attention To in Daily Life with PKD

2014-07-24 08:05

What should we pay attention to in daily life once being diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease? Medical treatment is very important for the tight control of PKD, but apart from it, we also need to know how to take good care of ourselves with PKD. Here are the several tips for people who are living with Polycystic Kidney Disease and hope it is helpful.

1. Notice salt intake

Less salt intake is necessary for these with PKD. Salt is the most common and source for sodium which is an element that the body needs to work properly. In normal condition, sodium level in blood is 135-145mEq/L. When one eats too much salt at one time, his kidneys will produce lots of urine and excess sodium in the body are excreted out of the body with urine. However, for PKD patients, their kidney function is impaired due to cysts in kidney, under such a condition, sodium level in blood increase. High sodium level in blood not only elevates blood pressure, but also trigger fluid retention. Therefore, a low-salt diet is needed for people living with Polycystic Kidney Disease.

2. Avoid drastic physical exercises

Mild physical exercises help to enhance immune system and increase immunity, which is very helpful for PKD patients to avoid cold and infection, the leading two factors that can cause rapid deterioration of illness. However, while doing physical exercises, PKD patients need to avoid drastic physical exercises and movements that need them to twist their waist, as big cysts in kidney may rupture due to mild knocking on kidney locations.

3. No drinking

Beer, especially wine, is a taboo for PKD patients, not only because alcohol consumption add extra burden on kidney, but also because alcohol can stimulate kidney cyst and accelerate the enlargement of kidney cyst. We all know in cases of PKD, kidney function declines with the increase and enlargement of kidney cyst, so stopping enlargement and increase of kidney cyst is very important.

4. Avoid spicy foods

Spicy foods is harmful for our health, also for patients with PKD. When kidney function is impaired for some reasons, they can not bear a heavy burden any more. Spicy foods are harmful for PKD patients just because they produce lots of wastes that need to be excreted out of the kidney. Therefore, excluding spicy foods from dining-table is necessary for PKD patients.

A good nursing care brings no cure for PKD patients, but with it, illness condition can be brought under control easier. Therefore, knowing what to pay attention in daily life is very important for people who are living with PKD.

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