Category Archives: Health

Categories Health, Kidney Diet, Kundan Kidney Care Centre, Risk Factors

How to Prevent Kidney Stones

If you have ever had a kidney stone you know the experience can be extremely unpleasant.  Did you know that over the course of lifetime, one in ten people will have a kidney stone?

If your doctor suspects you have a kidney stone, you may be asked to have diagnostic tests done.

  1. Blood Testing: Too much calcium or uric acid in your blood could be of concern. Blood test may also help monitor the health of your kidneys.
  2. Urine Testing: A 24 Hour urine collection test may reveal that you are exreting too many stone forming minerals.
  3. Ultra-sound Scanning: Imaging tests may show kidney stones in your urinary tract.
  4. Passed Stones Analysis: Your passed stone may reveal the makeup of your kidney stones.

Prevention of kidney stones may include a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.

Drink Fluid: People with the history of kidney stones are recommended to drink about 2.5 liters of water per day. If you live in a hot dry climate and sweat a lot then you may need to drink even more water so that you produce enough urine. A light and clear urine indicate that you are drinking enough water.

Oxalate-Rich Foods: Your doctor may ask you to prevent oxalate rich foods. Cutting oxalate rich food may sound logical but this  may not be smart for an overall health perspective. Eat and drink calcium and oxalate rich foods together during a meal. Doing so, they are more likely to bind in the stomach and intestines before they kidneys begin processing.

Diet Selection: Reduce the amount of salt and choose non-animal protein sources. Consider using a salt substitute such as herbs or spices.

Manage underlying Medical Problems: Some medical conditions like obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes can raise your risk for kidney stones.

Treatment may be required if the diet and drinking water does not work. Consult us for further information. There are herbal and safer ways to address this problem.

Categories Health, Kidney Diet, Kidney Disease

Pre-Dialysis Diet

Patients with kidney disease need to be careful about their food choices to avoid excess wastes and fluid from building up. With the progression of the disease, the dietary needs may vary. The intent of doing this is to

• reduce the workload of kidneys
• preserve the kidney function that is left

It will be important for you to understand how to eat well and how to get the right amount of protein, minerals to maintain a healthy weight and manage your fluid balance.

The goal is to delay the onset for the need of dialysis, minimizing failing kidney symptoms such as uremia and maintaining an optimal health.

General Diet Guidelines:

1. Protein: Protein needs for a kidney patient in not requiring dialysis would be less than those having dialysis. In the early stages of CKD, the kidneys are still able to work however, need to work much harder to remove all the waste. Consuming food rich in protein may lead to overworked kidneys causing more damage to the kidneys.
Eating less Protein helps to preserve kidney function and prevent additional damage to the kidneys.

To calculate the recommended intake of protein, you can multiple your weight with 0.8gms/kilogram.

e.g. A person weighing 52 kg will require 52 x 0.8 = 42gms of protein/day

2. Potassium: It is important to check your blood report to see if your potassium is beyond the range. An optimal potassium range is 3.5 – 5.0 mg/dl
if the reading shows high potassium, avoid the following food items:

• wholegrain cereals, bread and biscuits
• fruits and vegetables from the high potassium group e.g. banana
• canned fruits and vegetable, juices, milk, wine
• nuts, seeds

3. Sodium: The main source of sodium is salt. This should be avoided regardless of the kidney disease. Salt is found in almost all the packaged and processed foods.

Salt makes to feel thirsty which will result in drinking more fluid. Sodium restriction in kidney disease helps to maintain normal fluid balance.

4. Phosphorus: With the lack of kidney function, blood phosphate level may also rise. When it begins to build up in the blood, calcium is drawn from the bone. This may lead to joint pain, eye irritation, itchiness and hardening blood vessels.

Here is a list of food rich in phosphorus:

• dairy products
• dark sodas
• nuts and peanut butter
• beer
• legumes
• organ meats

Categories Health, Kidney Disease, Kundan Kidney Care Centre

Kidney Treatment – Choose the Right Treatment for a Healthy Life

Healthy kidneys are responsible for performing many functions. They keep your whole body in balance. They remove waste products and extra water from your body, help make red blood cells, and help control blood pressure. Kidney failure, also known as end-stage kidney disease, is a medical condition in which the kidneys no longer work.

 

There are many treatments available to cure this, but ayurvedic treatment for kidney failure is the most preferred. This is because the herbs used are all natural and do not cause any adverse affect instead make the patient healthy.

When Is The Treatment Required?

Your healthcare doctor helps you decide when is the best time to start treatment. The decision is taken on the basis of your symptoms, other health-related issues, your stage of kidney disease and your nutritional health. Although this decision might seem to be stressful, yet it is recommended to learn thoroughly about the option you would go for.

Ask your healthcare team to help you choose a treatment plan that’s right for you will help you and your family feel better prepared to make this difficult decision. Each option has different advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to learn as much as possible. But if you are in the starting stage, Ayurvedic treatment for kidney damage is strongly recommended. This is because it slows down the damage to your kidneys, and with time, it may return kidney function to normal. But if the kidneys fail completely, the only treatment options available may be dialysis or kidney transplantation.

Treatments Available For Kidney Failure

Hemodialysis – In this treatment of kidney failure, wastes and extra fluid are removed from your blood. It can be done at home or at a dialysis center. In this process, the blood is pumped to a dialysis machine through soft tubes where it undergoes sterilization or cleaning through a special filter called a dialyzer. Once the blood is filtered, it is returned again to your bloodstream.

Peritoneal Dialysis – In this process, the blood is cleaned inside your body and not outside. The lining of your abdomen acts as a natural filter. A cleansing solution is made to flow into your abdomen through a soft tube called a PD Catheter. Wastes and extra fluid pass from your blood into the cleansing solution. This is a home-based treatment and can be done anywhere.

Ayurvedic Treatment – If your kidney damage is at the starting stage, then go for Ayurvedic treatment for kidney damage. The herbs used in the Ayurvedic supplements are carefully chosen and are free of any chemicals, steroids and metals. The herbal products are safe and have no known side effects. You can take them with your prescribed Allopathic medicines.

How Do I Know Which Treatment I Should Go For?

As your life changes over time, so may your treatment. You can cure your kidney damage by relying on Ayurvedic treatment for kidney failure. The Ayurvedic treatment has so far proved to be effective in helping the patients lead a normal life.

Categories Health, Kidney Diet, Kidney Disease

Overweight, Obese & Kidney Disease – Alternative Treatment Can Help You

Today, many people are overweight than ever before. In fact, almost 70 percent of people across the world aged 20 and older are overweight. Out of them, about one third are considered obese. Those who are obese and overweight, they are often at the risk of kidney disease. Not taking care of your weight can lead to kidney failure. The good news is that alternative treatment for kidney disease can help you take care of your kidney problems early if in case they have developed due to increased weight.

Alternative Treatment For Kidney Disease

Difference Between Being Overweight and Being Obese?

Being overweight and obese are inter-related terms. Both terms mean having more body fat than what is considered healthy. Both are used for identifying people who are at risk of health problems due to too much body fat. However, the term “obese” generally means a much higher amount of body fat than “overweight.”

We all require some body fat for energy, heat insulation, and other body functions. But the excess of fat can lead to serious health problems. The more body fat you have, the higher the risk of diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, and other problems. Being overweight or obese increases the chance of developing diabetes or high blood pressure, which are the leading causes of kidney disease and kidney failure.

The Leading Cause of Weight Gain and Obesity

People become overweight or obese from eating more calories than they burn up. The leading causes of this imbalance are:

• Poor diet / Poor food choices
• Lack of exercise
• An inactive lifestyle
• Family history of being overweight or obese
• Oversized or “supersized” food portions
• Negative emotions like boredom, sadness, or anger

What Should You Do If You Are Overweight or Obese

Keep A Check On Your Diet – A steady weight loss of about one pound a week is considered to be the safest way to lose weight. Ask your healthcare practitioner to refer you to a registered dietitian who can help you plan a suitable diet chart.

Regular Exercise Is Must – Do regular exercise such as brisk walking, running, swimming, biking, dancing. However, the duration of workout each day varies from person to person. Talk to your healthcare professional before you begin any new exercise program.

Get Your Kidneys Checked – Since the risks of developing a kidney disease are higher in overweight and obese people, so it is essential to get your kidneys checked regularly. Two simple tests blood and urine are enough to determine any signs of kidney disease. Keep control over blood sugar if you have diabetes. And, control blood pressure if you have high blood pressure. You can go for alternative treatment for kidney disease after consulting a kidney specialist.

It is important to keep control over your weight so as not to develop any hazardous disease such as high blood pressure and diabetes to protect your kidneys. In case of kidney problem, treat yourself with alternative kidney disease medicine. Avoid fast food and oily food – they are the leading cause of weight gain and obesity. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. The alternative treatment for kidney disease provided by Kundan Kidney Care Centre is all safe and natural. The supplements are all free from steroids and metals. Our herbal remedies not only help you to avoid dialysis but also aid to reverse the kidney disease in a natural way.

Categories Health, Kidney Diet, Kidney Disease

Yoga And The Ayurvedic Treatment Can Cure Chronic Kidney Disease

Nowadays, the kidney disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. There are several reasons responsible for the kidney failure however the most important causes are chronic blood pressure and chronic uncontrolled diabetes. Synthetic drugs used for uric acid and other diseases are also one of the reasons in some cases along with nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and autoimmune diseases.

Ayurvedic treatment for kidney disease

No matter whatever is the cause, once the creatinine level goes beyond the limits, it becomes very difficult to bring it back in the range. There are however certain natural herbs and Ayurvedic treatment for kidney disease which have shown excellent results in lowering down the creatinine levels without causing the elevation in the potassium levels or affecting the sugar levels. The herbs used together helps to improve the overall health and improve kidney function.

AYURVEDIC / HERBAL TREATMENT FOR KIDNEY FAILURE

Ayurvedic treatment for kidney disease mainly focuses on strengthening of kidneys, restoring its function and improve their filtration capacity. It also reduces the need for dialysis.

There are a number of herbs present which is the alternative treatment for kidney failure like Punarnava (Boerrhavia diffuse), Gokshur (Tribulus Terrestris), Kaasni (Chicorium intybus), Varun (Crataeva nurvala), Bhumi Amla (Phyllanthus niruri) etc.

YOGA FOR KIDNEY FUNCTION IMPROVEMENT

Advance medical equipment and modern medications have helped the doctors to curb the damage caused to kidneys. However, due to the economic and health concerns associated with these methods of treatment, people have started switching over to one of the most natural alternatives – yoga, for kidney ailments. Yoga is an ancient branch of holistic living which promotes the healthy lifestyle through meditation, asanas, and Ayurveda. The biggest advantage of yoga for curing kidney disease is that it does not have any side-effects likewise Ayurvedic treatment.

THE BEST YOGA POSES FOR KIDNEY HEALTH

Yoga stimulates and massages various organs that help to bring the body to an optimal level. Along with yoga poses, taking an ayurvedic diet can help you keep check over diabetes and blood pressure level.

Practice these simple yoga poses on the regular basis so as to ensure the health of your kidneys:

1. Salamba Bhujangasana (Sphinx pose)

2. Ardha Matsyendrasana (Sitting Half Spinal twist)

3. Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)

4. Paschimottanasana (Seated forward bend)

5. Setu Bandhasana (Bridge pose)

6. Naukasana (Boat pose)

SOME IMPORTANT TIPS TO REMEMBER

• Make sure that you consume home cooked food and stay away from outside food as much as possible.

• Try to include more and more fruits and green vegetables in your platter.

• Stay away from food with high potassium content and include more iron-rich food in your diet.

• Opt for Ayurvedic treatment for kidney disease as they are rich in nutrients.

• Drink plenty of water and get 6-8 hours of sleep every day.

WHY KUNDAN KIDNEY SUPPLEMENTS

• They provide the best healthcare experience.

• Together with the patients and families, they meet their health needs.

• Responsive, respectful and caring for their patients and community.

• Honest, trustworthy and accountable for the resources, services, and behaviors.

• Strive for innovation and commitment to continuous learning.

Categories Health, Kidney Disease, Kundan Kidney Care Centre

What can your urine tell you?

If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be straw color yellow. That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome.

Dark Color: Very dark colored urine could be a sign that you are dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away. Dark color urine may also be a warning sign of liver problems, see your doctor if it doesn’t get better after a day or so.

Clear: This indicate that the urine is too diluted. This can be caused by drinking a lot of water or taking diuretics to get rid of extra fluid. This also indicate that the electrolytes may be low and this can also be hard on the heart.

Bright Yellow: This could happen after consuming too much synthetic B-Vitamins. These vitamins do not get absorbed by the body and are flushed via urine.

Red or Pink: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets can turn your pee pinkish-red color. This can also be a side effect of medications or a drug for urinary tract infections (UTIs) called phenazopyridine.

If your pee is red or pink, you should see your doctor. You might have blood in the urine. It doesn’t always mean there’s a problem but it can be a sign of kidney disease, kidney stones, UTI, Prostate problem or a tumor.

Blue or Green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds, like anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine. There could be some other reasons too, so let your doctor know if the color doesn’t go away after a short time.

Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy. It may be a sign you have protein in your urine indicating that you may have issues with your kidneys.

Smell: Your urine usually doesn’t have a strong smell. But some foods, especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound can change the odor. When you are dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell like ammonia.

How often should I Pee?: Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to ten times a day. If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, it could be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women or simply an overactive bladder (a common condition for older men and women). We can help you with this condition by offering lifestyle changes and/or medication.

Call us if you notice any change in your urine that does not seem to link with medication or recent meal or exercise especially if the change lasts for more that a few days.

Categories Health, Kidney Diet, Kundan Kidney Care Centre

What is Gout?

Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis. Gout is caused when the body produces an excess of uric acid, and the sharp uric acid crystals collect in the spaces in the joints. This causes stiffness, swelling and often very intense pain.

Usually the first attack of gout occurs in the big toe, this may wake you up from sleep. The toe becomes very sore, red, hot and swollen. In addition to the toe, gout can also affect; insteps, ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers, elbows.

Uric acid comes from the breakdown of substances called purines. Purines are found in all of your body’s tissues. When uric acid levels in the blood are high, it is called hyperuricemia.

The main source of purines is:
– organ meats (kidneys, liver, brains)
– meats including bacon, beef, pork and lamb
– any other meat in large quantity
– anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel and scallops
– gravy

Foods that are low in purines and are safe to eat are as follow:
– green vegetables
– fruits
– breads and cereals that are not white-grain
– butter, buttermilk, cheese and eggs
– coffee, tea and carbonated drinks
– peanut butter and other nuts
– low-fat milk and yogurt

So, one of the easiest way and the most natural way of eliminating the symptoms of gout is to reduce the levels of purine going into the body.

There is a natural production of purines in the body, so there will always be some purine which will be broken into uric acid. You can manage the level of purine by diet selection to a point that the kidneys can restore a balance.

How is it diagnosed?

We may ask about your symptoms, blood report and family history. Signs of gout may include the following:
– hyperuricemia (high level of uric acid in the blood)
– uric acid crystals in joint fluid
– arthritis that may develop overnight and produce swollen, red and warm joint
– attack of arthritis in only one joint usually the toe, ankle or knee

We may may also prescribe you anti-inflammatory drugs to address gout.

Categories Health, Kidney Disease, Risk Factors

CKD Mangement

This article can help in understanding some general issues and the management of Chronic Kidney Disease:

Issues:

  • It is important to understand that CKD is a spectrum of disease. Mild CKD is common and rarely progresses to a more severe form and it does not necessarily equate to renal dialysis.
  • Understand eGFR and monitor it on a regular basis to ensure that the condition is not deteriorating.
  • Understand the link between diabetes and hypertension – maintaining a tight control can limit the damage of the kidneys.
  • People with CKD should exercise, achieve a healthy weight and must stop smoking.
  • A good glycaemic control should be achieved in patients with diabetes mellitus and CKD.
  • Review all prescribed medicines regularly.

Already Diagnosed: eGFR is less than 60

  • Review GFR and assess the rate of deterioration.
  • Review all medication including the over-the-counter drugs.
  • Haematuria and proteinuria suggest glomerulonephritis, this may progress rapidly.
  • Look for sepsis, heart failure, hypovolaemia, palpable bladder.
  • Repeat serum creatinine measurement to exclude rapid progression.
  • Seek professional help – there are safe and natural options to address this disease.

Monitoring:

  • Based on the severity of the disease, eGFR should be monitored regularly.
  • Have the level of proteinuria assessed at least annually.
  • Proteinuria should be assessed by measurement either of the PCR or ACR, ideally on an early-morning urine specimen.
  • An abnormal eGFR should prompt a clinical assessment and a repeat test within two weeks should be done to assess the progression.
  • Patient with CKD should have an annual assessment of their cardiovascular risk factors, lipid profile, BMI, exercise, alcohol and smoking habits.
  • Keep the systolic blood pressure below 140mm Hg and the diastolic blood pressure below 90mm Hg.
  • Routinely measure calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D levels.
  • Renal dietitian should be consulted to carry out a dietary assessment and give individualized information and advice on diet.

Complications:

  •  Anemia: left ventricular hypertrophy, fatigue, impaired cognitive functioning.
  •  Coagulopathy.
  • Hypertension: left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, stroke, CVD.
  • Calcium phosphate loading: cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, arthropathy, soft tissue calcification.
  • Renal osteodystrophy: disorders of calcium, phosphorus and bone, most commonly osteitis fibrosa cystica.
  • Bone changes of secondary hyperparathyroidism: bone pain and fractures.
  • Neurological: uraemic encephalopathy, neuropathy including peripheral neuropathy.
  • Dialysis amyloid: bone pain, arthropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Fluid overload: pulmonary oedema, hypertension
  • Malnutrition: increased morbidity and mortality, infections, poor wound healing.
  • Glucose intolerance due to peripheral insulin resistance.
Categories Health, Kidney Diet, Kidney Disease, Risk Factors

Red meat may trigger kidney malfunction – study

Crispy bacon, a juicy rib eye steak, or beef burger – these mouthwatering red meat delicacies have long been accused of being bad for health. Unfortunately, a new study based on 15 years of research now claims to back that theory with scientific evidence.

Risk of kidney failure significantly increases with constant red meat consumption, a new study conducted at the National University of Singapore suggests.

“Red meat intake is strongly associated with ESRD risk [end-stage renal disease, or kidney failure] in a dose-dependent manner,” the study’s abstract says.

More than 60,000 adults from Singapore took part in the long-term research. They were divided into several groups according to how much red meat they consumed. Constant follow-ups showed that around 1,000 participants developed kidney failure.

The people in the group claiming to eat the largest amount of red meat had a 40 percent higher risk of experiencing kidney failure compared to those consuming moderate amounts.

Luckily, not every type of protein has been found harmful to kidneys, and those who look after their muscles can still get their needed protein fix from poultry, fish, eggs, or dairy products, thus reducing the risk.

“Our study shows that red meat intake may increase the risk of ESRD in the general population and substituting alternative sources of protein may reduce the incidence of ESRD,” according to the study.

This, however, doesn’t mean that people should “avoid red meat like poison,” but finding a substitute for at least one meal with red meat a day is not a bad idea, the study’s senior author, Woon-Puay Koh, told Reuters Health in an email letter.

“Current guidelines recommend restricting dietary protein intake in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease to help reduce symptoms and slow progression to end-stage renal disease,” Koh also noted.

An estimated 500 million people suffer from chronic kidney condition, some of whom need constant dialysis procedures or a kidney transplant, researchers noted.

It was previously thought that people with kidney problems who eat red meat on a daily basis could encounter problems with a substance known as urea building up in their bodies, because if a person’s kidney’s aren’t working problem, it is not sufficiently expelled in their urine.

The new study stresses that there is no evidence that red meat causes kidney conditions, but it apparently contributes to the pathological process.

*article source – https://www.rt.com/news/353781-red-meat-kidney-failure/

Categories Health, Kidney Disease, Risk Factors

SEXUALITY AND KIDNEY DISEASE

Can people with kidney disease or kidney failure still enjoy sex?

It’s important to remember that people with kidney failure can have healthy marriages and meaningful relationships. They can fall in love, care for families, and be sexual. Staying intimate with those you love is important. It’s something everyone needs.

Many people think that sexuality refers only to sexual intercourse. But sexuality includes many things, like touching, hugging, or kissing. It includes how you feel about yourself, how well you communicate, and how willing you are to be close to someone else.

There are many things that can affect your sexuality if you have kidney disease or kidney failure — hormones, nerves, energy levels, even medicine. But there are also things you and your healthcare team can do to deal with these changes. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or get help from a healthcare professional.

What if I lose interest in sex?

Your interest in sex may change when you have kidney disease or kidney failure. At first, you may have less interest in sex. This can happen because you need a lot of energy to cope with the physical and emotional changes brought on by your illness. In time, your interest may return to normal.

Some men may find it more difficult to have or keep an erection. This is very common with kidney failure. It can result from the side effects of medicine, having a buildup of toxic wastes in the blood that may not be fully removed by dialysis, or other things. Many of these problems can be treated. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or get help from a healthcare professional.

Emotions can also affect sexual functioning. This includes stress, depression, nerves, fear of disability or death, marriage problems, and much more. For some people, having kidney disease may cause physical changes that can make them feel less attractive. This can also affect sexual interest. Couples who find that their sex lives are changing should talk to their doctor or social worker. Many of these problems can be treated.

Is sexual intercourse safe for kidney patients?

Some patients and their partners may worry that sexual activity could cause the patient’s death or harm the dialysis access or transplanted kidney. No limitations need to be placed on kidney patients sexually. If sexual activity does not place pressure or tension on the access site, it will not cause damage. Fear can cause people to avoid sexual activity needlessly.

After receiving a transplant, it is important to wait until the scar has begun to heal. Once your doctor says it is all right to resume sexual activity, there is no reason to worry about damaging the transplanted kidney.

For some couples, sexual intercourse is not possible. Some may feel that sex is not as important as it once was. Activities such as touching, hugging, and kissing provide feelings of warmth and closeness even if intercourse is not involved. Professional sex therapists can recommend alternative methods.

How will I know whether sexual problems are due to physical or emotional causes?

This requires a complete medical, psychological, and sexual history of you and your partner. Medicines should be reviewed for sexual side effects and changed if possible. Blood tests should include hormone levels and blood sugar levels to check for diabetes. Men can be checked to see if nerve and blood supply to the penis are good and if they can have an erection. If no physical problem is found, an emotional cause must be considered.

What can be done if the problem is physical?

Several options are available for men whose penis will not get or stay hard (erection). Penile implant surgery places inflatable or semi-rigid rods into the penis. In some cases, surgery can improve blood flow to the penis. If the man does not want surgery, male hormones may be given. Oral and injectable medications can cause an erection. External suction devices can make the penis hard enough for intercourse, but they require time and hand strength. Doctors with special training in impotence can give information on all options as well as their advantages, disadvantages, and side effects.

Women patients usually have less vaginal wetness and may have pain during sexual activity. Lower hormone levels can cause vaginal dryness. Use of a water-soluble vaginal lubricant can lower or stop pain associated with intercourse. Do not use petroleum jelly because it can increase the risk of infection. Some women may be unable to have a climax or may need more time to get “turned on” because of loss of energy, hormone changes, or medications for high blood pressure. A change in blood pressure medicine or extra hormones may be needed. Your doctor can provide information on options.

What can be done if the problem is psychological?

Feeling worried, anxious, or depressed is normal when faced with a serious loss such as kidney disease and kidney failure. These emotions can cause loss of energy and lower interest in many activities, including sex. If a sexual problem does occur, embarrassment and guilt often follow. Fear that the problem will happen again may cause the person to shy away from sexual situations. Relaxation exercises can help to control these fears. Regular physical exercise and activity help keep the mind busy and can improve physical condition and body image. If sexual problems continue, sex therapy can help. Even if the problem is psychological, some of the treatment options mentioned for physical problems may be helpful.

Can sex therapy help?

Sex therapy deals with the sexual problems of couples and individuals. The first step in sex therapy may be sexual education for the individual or couple. The therapist may assign activities to be done at home. These include communication exercises, stress reduction activities, and practicing ways of improving skills in giving and receiving enjoyable touches. Sex therapy can help with problems such as low sexual interest, trouble in reaching climax or reaching climax too soon, pain during sexual activity, and erection difficulties. Therapy also can help a person work through the effects of chronic illness on sexual functioning.

A sex therapist can be a psychiatrist, psychologist, physician, or social worker. Look for someone who is licensed and who has advanced training and experience in sexuality and sexual problems. Charges vary and may be covered partly by insurance.

What can kidney patients do to help themselves?

Take an active role in learning about kidney disease and treatment. Follow the prescribed diet and fluid limits. Take all medications properly and tell the doctor of any side effects. Ask for an exercise program to help muscle tone, strength, and endurance. Your doctor and dietitian can suggest a weight gain or loss program, if needed. Lead a healthy lifestyle. Be aware of other things that could affect your sexual functioning, such as drinking too much alcohol and smoking.

What about having children?

Men with kidney disease or on dialysis can successfully father children. However, for women with kidney disease, pregnancy can lead to problems. A new baby is a joy for any family. But pregnancy can put a lot of stress on your body. If you have kidney disease or kidney failure, it can put you and the health of your unborn child at risk. It can also make your kidney disease worse. If you are thinking of becoming pregnant, you should discuss it carefully with your doctor.

* Article sourced from National Kidney Foundation.

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