Skip to main content
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
    Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem.  lthough the exact reasons for the growth of CKD are unknown, changes in the demographics of the population, differences in disease burden among racial groups, and under-recognition of earlier stages of CKD and of risk factors for CKD may partially explain this growth It is also known as Chronic Renal Disease. 
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 27 January 2016

Managing Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease brings a markedly increased risk of cardiovascular disease, which is a more common cause of death in these patients than renal failure. These patients often have other risk factors for heart disease, such as hyperlipidemia (increased lipid levels in blood). 

Chronic Kidney Disease Diet

CKD patients are kept on a special diet. The purpose of this diet is to keep the levels of electrolytes, minerals and fluid in balance. These changes include:

  • Limiting fluids
  • Eating a low-protein diet 
  • Limiting salt, potassium, phosphorous, and other electrolytes
  • Getting enough calories if you are losing weight

Fitness

The recommended exercise regimen will depend on the stage of CKD. It is best to seek your physician’s advice. 

If you have been diagnosed with CKD, manage your condition by doing the following: 

  • Have check-ups every 6 months. Clinical assessment may include:
    • Blood pressure
    • Weight
    • Laboratory assessment may include:
    • Urine ACR ( albumin creatinine ratio)
    • Biochemical profile including urea, creatinine and electrolytes
    • eGFR
    • HbA1c (for people with diabetes)
    • Fasting lipids
  • Modify your lifestyle: Stop smoking, reduce weight, have a low-salt diet, exercise, drink in moderation
  • Keep diabetes under control. This reduces the risk of developing chronic kidney diseases, and for those with CKD, reduces its rate of progression. 

Your Support team

  • A general practitioner
  • Nephrologist
  • Nutritionist
  • Fitness expert
  • Other specialists as you require

Stories

  • Why is Potassium Level Important?
    This time in our Health by Numbers/Medical Tests series, Dr Shital Raval takes a look at the importance of Potassium levels in the electrolyte panel. Read the first part on Sodium Levels  POTASSIUM: Potassium is both a mineral and electrolyte. It is important for heart, muscle, digestive and nerve functioning.  The potassium test is often part of a routine or done to check on the electrolyte balance of the body. The best sources of potassium are: Leafy greens such as swiss chard,…
  • The Importance of Electrolyte Balance - Sodium
    This time in our Health by Numbers/Medical Tests series, Dr Shital Patel takes a look at our electrolyte levels in our blood. An electrolyte imbalance, commonly caused by loss of body fluids through prolonged vomiting, diarrhoea, sweating or high fever, can result in various health disorders, like restlessness, anxiety, kidney diseases or even cardiac arrest. An Electrolyte Panel is a blood test that measures the common minerals in the body such as sodium, calcium, chloride, magnesium,…
  • How to Avoid Dialysis and Kidney Failure
    It is estimated that about 2 lakh (200,000) new patients develop end-stage kidney failure every year in India. Dialysis can extend their life, but the treatment can be demanding and disruptive. Dr. Jyotsna Zope, a senior consultant Nephrologist gives us an overview about dialysis and advices ways to prevent kidney problems and diseases. What is dialysis? Dialysis is a procedure by which waste product and excess water are removed from the body. The waste products (‘Uremic toxins’) are the end…
  • Life will only get you down if you focus on the negatives
    61 year old Mdm Ruhaya is lovingly referred to as ‘sayang’ by the nurses here at KDF. With a characteristic twinkle in her eye and a warm chatty personality, one would not guess that she is a kidney failure patient. Mdm Ruhaya stays positive despite her illness and says that she has learnt to adapt to the hardships she faces by choosing to focus on the simple joys of everyday life. However, she acknowledges that life has been exceptionally cruel to her over the years. At a young age she not…
  • Reminiscence
    Imagine a time when your spouse, sibling, child, or even yourself, had to be responsible for connecting tubing and inserting needles into your arm for medical treatment. It is quite unthinkable for most of us as we are used to these procedures being done by medical professionals. But that was the situation at the Self Dependency Dialysis Unit (SDDU) at Alexandra Hospital before KDF took over its management in 1996. Mdm Tan (not her real name or picture) is one of KDF’s first patients and one of…
  • Where Being Different Is Unaccepted
    “Prejudice is the child of ignorance.” ― William Hazlitt ― In a diverse and informed society like Singapore, it remains not completely uncommon to hear of instances of discrimination. While it is understandable to fear or even condemn something that is strange or new to us, we should be reminded that understanding breeds tolerance and empathy. A Gift of Life Mr S, is a dialysis patient at the San Wang Wu Ti-KDF Centre at Kreta Ayer, and he has been dialysising there for slightly over a year. He…
  • Courage Against All Odds
    Courage, as defined by the Oxford dictionary, is 'the ability to do something that frightens one' and 'strength in the face of pain or grief'. But how exactly does it show in everyday life? To Mr Neo, every waking moment entails a conscious act of courage. Courage is taking the bus alone. Courage is looking past the curious eyes and indifference of others. Courage is taking every day in stride, despite being partially blind and dependent on dialysis for life. Neo - as he amiably requests to…
  • Keeping Faith
    Mdm Zainon's life took an unexpected turn after a hit and run accident in Malaysia. She is now on daily peritoneal dialysis and her faith keeps her going through the difficult phases. Read on here:   We all imagine that when the time comes we age gracefully and naturally, surrounded by the warm and smiling faces of our children and grandchildren. We envision that life would be simpler, slower – better. So what do you do when you are aged and forced to accept that you are now a feeble…
  • Coming Full Circle
    Like any young woman, Choo Peck See, 45, had dreamed of meeting the right person someday, settling down and starting a family of her own.  It was a dream come true when she was called up to receive a kidney transplant and have a shot at a normal life. But life had other plans. Read on: Bittersweet Sixteen Mere months after completing her O-Levels and still finding her bearings in the aftermath of her mother's sudden stroke, Peck See herself showed symptoms of kidney failure. The poor…
  • Asian children are more prone to developing kidney diseases
    Today is World Kidney Day and the theme this year is ‘Kidney Disease & Children – Act Early to Prevent it’. We spoke to Dr Pankaj Deshpande, pediatric nephrologist, to apprise us about kidney disorders in children and how they can be alleviated. What are some of the common kidney diseases/disorders in children? How does it affect them? There are many kidney illnesses in children and that actually evokes surprise in a lot of people as they are quite unaware that kidney…