Important Facts About Renal Diet That You Should Know About
Renal diet is a highly recommended diet for patients having renal problems. It is estimated
that only 25% of the total number of nephrons are necessary to maintain healthy renal function. That means that the
renal failure system is well protected from failure with a large backup system. However, it also means that by the
time a patient has signs and symptoms of renal failure, extensive kidney damage have already occurred.
Dietary adjustment is dictated by many components including accumulation of nitrogenous waste products, impaired
excretion of electrolytes, vitamin deficiencies and continued catabolism. The wasting syndrome is a major problem.
The client with renal failure constantly loses body weight, muscle mass and adipose tissue.
The purpose of this renal diet is to maintain a balance of electrolytes, minerals, and fluid in patients who are
on dialysis. This is important because dialysis alone cannot remove and filter all the wastes in the body. It needs
a proper diet to aid the body in managing the accumulated wastes.
Dietary intake of electrolytes may be encouraged or restricted. The regulation of sodium is a delicate matter.
At times, the kidneys waste salt, and sodium intake must be encouraged to replace it. More frequently however, the
kidneys retain sodium. Some believe that there should be moderate restriction with careful monitoring of urinary
sodium as guideline. Another thing is the monitoring of fluid status which gives important information about sodium
needs.
Renal failure and its therapies significantly affect the quality of the client and family members. There can be
numerous stressors and life changers. Much of the care required by clients receiving chronic peritoneal dialysis
and hemodialysis and their significant others concerns the psychosocial aspects of dialysis
This is not like every diet out there. It is a carefully measured guide on how to approach the signs and
symptoms of renal failure but still maintain an adequate amount of energy level to sustain your day to day
activities. It also specifies the exact amount of dietary protein, electrolytes, minerals, and fluid that are
allowable for each patient.
With the rampant spread of renal failure globally, it is understandable that a lot of renal
diets have started to sprout out. There are also many scam sites out there who claim to have a “quick fix renal
diet” so be careful. It is therefore important to do your research carefully and choose only websites that you deem
trustworthy.
More resources:
Kidney Disease Diet
Renal Dialysis Diet
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