Improve Kidney Disease: 5 Steps for Better Health
When you are first diagnosed, it is completely normal to experience fear and overwhelming emotions. However, if you are looking to improve kidney disease, you must realize that you do not simply have to accept a steady decline toward dialysis. While many doctors may suggest that you just need to wait and let the condition run its course, taking proactive steps can help you improve kidney disease and give yourself the best possible outcome.
Based on the experiences of a 16-year kidney transplant survivor and natural health advocate, here are the essential steps you need to take to step out of a passive role and take control of your health.
Improve Kidney Disease by Finding the Right Nephrologist
One of the most critical steps to improve kidney disease is finding a highly qualified, open-minded nephrologist. Many patients stay with their first doctor without realizing that every physician has a different educational background, perspective, and clinical experience.
Do not settle for a nephrologist who is excessively negative or tells you that diet and lifestyle changes do not matter. If your doctor’s only plan is to prescribe pills and wait for your kidneys to fail so you can get a transplant, it is time to seek other opinions. Getting multiple perspectives from different professionals ensures you find someone willing to explore new studies, recommend proper testing, and provide comprehensive guidance tailored to your specific situation.
Improve Kidney Disease with Proper Diet and Supplements
Diet cannot be underestimated when it comes to kidney health. Simply avoiding excess sodium in your diet has shown drastic improvements for a variety of kidney conditions. Depending on how aggressive you want to be, adopting a targeted therapeutic diet can make a massive difference instead of relying solely on medications.
Furthermore, combining a good diet with the right, science-based supplements from high-quality companies is vital. People struggling with kidney issues are often deficient in key nutrients, including:
- Vitamin D
- Selenium
- Zinc
Kidney disease also affects your overall nutritional levels. For instance, protein-energy malnutrition can occur when you lose too much protein in your urine, leading to severe fatigue. If you are not utilizing proper supplementation, you are fighting an uphill battle.
Get Comprehensive Testing
Do not assume your nephrologist is automatically running all the necessary tests. Many doctors only perform the bare-bones basic blood work, which leaves out crucial information. To truly improve kidney disease, you must advocate for yourself and ensure you are getting comprehensive testing to uncover exactly what is going on with your body. Be highly involved, review your own blood work, and take control of your health journey.
Embrace a Holistic Approach
Taking a holistic approach means encompassing everything you can do to support your body simultaneously. This includes taking the right medications, sticking to a kidney-friendly diet, using the proper supplements, and making vital lifestyle changes. Whether that means exercising more, quitting smoking, or finding a less stressful job, all these factors play a significant role.
By actively participating in your care and combining these lifestyle and medical strategies, you can improve kidney disease and maintain a much higher quality of life.
