Renal disease is a serious matter that not only affects your overall health, but also your life expectancy.  Patients that have chronic kidney disease, more specifically those who make it to end stage renal disease, or kidney failure, are a lot more likely to suffer heart attacks. In fact, approximately one in four end stage renal disease patient dies of a heart attack.

Luckily, you can take control your renal disease. There may be nothing you can do to regain kidney function that is already lost, but there is a lot you can do to slow or potentially even stop the progression of renal disease.

Be Strict With Yourself

Renal disease often comes with a long list of dietary restrictions and lists of things you shouldn't do. While skipping out on some of your favorite foods might not be high on your list of things that make you happy, it is important for you to be strict with yourself.

You need to remember that you are in charge of you, which puts you in control. You are the one that decides whether or not to drink that soda or eat those salty chips. You are in control. The sooner you realize that and come to terms with the decisions that can save your life, the better.

Follow Doctors Orders

Your physicians and healthcare providers are there to help you and walk you through this often difficult process. It is important to follow their instructions. Take your medications as directed, follow dietary recommendations, show up to your appointments, and do what needs to be done to stay as healthy as possible.

Remember also that your doctor is on your side. Whenever you have questions or concerns about your condition, medications, or other treatments, make sure you bring them up. You can learn a lot by simply asking questions and listening to the answers.  Keep a journal and write down questions that you have for your doctor, then take it with you.  It is easy to forget some questions when you are at the doctors office, this way you will have a list.

Live Healthily

Doctors’ visits and medications can only do so much. You can make a huge difference in your own health outcomes by taking control of your overall lifestyle. Eating right, exercising daily at your own level of ability, and living an overall healthy lifestyle can make everything so much easier on you.

You would be surprised, for example, at just how much dietary changes can help your struggle with renal disease. You might also be surprised how delicious eating healthy can be, and how great you will feel after a nice long walk.

Stay Positive

No one can deny that being diagnosed and living with renal disease can be hard, but there is something to be said about a positive attitude. Going into your doctors appointments with a sense of purpose, finding a way to enjoy your new way of eating and living, and simply getting out to smell the flowers can have a big impact on your overall experience with renal disease.

Remember that you are in control of you, and that means that you have a level of control over your disease, that is not insignificant. The overall attitude and action to do what needs to be done and live as healthily as possible can and will make a difference. You can make yourself a lot more comfortable, enjoy life, and extend your life as well.

There are many things your can do to control your renal disease, knowledge is important, so keeping up to date is important.  Check out my latest blogs for more information.