Although dialysis is lifesaving, it can be tough. The good news is, there鈥檚 a lot you can do to feel better, avoid infections and enjoy more energy.
Take control of your health! Follow these tips:
- Do your own punctures. You know your arm best! Having control over this part of dialysis makes many people feel less聽stress, and less pain too.
- Consider home dialysis. More treatments, an option with home dialysis, make you feel better. You鈥檒l also enjoy a more flexible schedule and greater independence.
- Watch your fluids. The most common reason people on dialysis visit the hospital? Too many fluids. Stick with your limit!
- Exercise and eat well. Living a healthy lifestyle is key to feeling good on dialysis. Exercise regularly and follow your low-salt, kidney-friendly diet.
- Attend all appointments. Your doctor monitors your labs, checks your medications and keeps your health top of mind. Make聽appointments with your doctor a priority. And, of course, be on time for dialysis, and stay for your full treatment.
Make your聽health a priority
How important is this? Just ask Juan Nava. After a long workday in 2011, Juan came home with聽swollen legs. One month later, he was on dialysis.
A diabetic,聽Juan also experienced temporary blindness caused by his聽illness. He had to leave his position as a restaurant dishwasher聽and food preparer.
鈥淢y family used to lead me around by the聽hand; I couldn鈥檛 see anything.鈥�
Surgery later helped him recover聽his eyesight.
鈥淣ow I try to appreciate everything. I try to do聽what I used to do, but better.鈥�
Don’t wait to make changes
Juan is back at work, but with聽reduced hours to fit in dialysis three times a week at Northwest聽Kidney Centers SeaTac clinic. He also relaxes with his family聽and tries to work out at the YMCA five days a week.
鈥淔or聽dialysis, it鈥檚 all mental. You have to set it up in your mind and聽ask what you need to do, what will you do.鈥�
Interested in trying out home dialysis or starting an exercise plan to get fit? Don’t wait! Now is the time to focus on your health.聽You’ll feel better when you’re making positive changes to your lifestyle.
Get more tips for living well on dialysis聽in our , and follow us on and — we share lots of tips for living a great life with聽kidney disease.
Tags: dialysis, home dialysis, patient education, patient health, patient stories, tips for patients