Introduction
Living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can bring many challenges, but there are steps that patients can take to maintain their quality of life and continue to do the things they love. By taking a proactive approach to managing their disease, people with CKD can live a fulfilling and active life.
This article is intended for those diagnosed with CKD, their loved ones, and other caregivers. Whether you’re looking for ways to manage your condition more effectively or seeking tips on how to enhance your day-to-day quality of life, this guide aims to provide useful insights and practical advice on living well with CKD.
Proactive Disease Management
Taking control of CKD starts with understanding the condition and working with your healthcare team to slow its progression. Proactive management doesn’t have to be overwhelming; small, consistent actions can lead to significant improvements in how you feel and with your overall health.
Understand Your Diagnosis and Ask Questions
Knowing your CKD stage and what it means is essential for effective management. Speak often and openly with your healthcare provider about your test results, medications, and treatment plan. The more you understand, the better you’ll be able to make informed decisions and actively engage in your care.
Eating Right for CKD
A well-balanced, low-salt diet can help manage symptoms and protect kidney function. Work with a registered dietitian (RD) to understand which foods or dietary patterns are best for you. Members in Healthmap Solutions’ (Healthmap) Kidney Population Health Management program have access to RDs who can help create personalized, kidney-friendly meal plans. Remember, healthy eating doesn’t mean giving up flavor; there are countless delicious recipes tailored to CKD dietary needs. We go into detail on this in an earlier blog post, “Eating Right for Chronic Kidney Disease: Tips from a Registered Dietitian.”
Make Hydration Work for You
Staying hydrated is important, but drinking too much or too little can be problematic for those with CKD. Follow your healthcare provider’s guidance on how much fluid you should consume daily and track your intake to ensure you stay within the recommended limits.
Take Your Medications as Prescribed
Medication adherence (taking the right medications with the right dosage at the right times) is key to managing CKD effectively. Your prescriptions might include medications to control blood pressure, manage diabetes, or slow the progression of kidney damage. Sticking to your regimen as directed can help keep symptoms under control and improve your long-term outlook. Avoid stopping any medications without first talking to your doctor. Healthmap recommends reviewing our patient resource, “Tips for Taking Your Medications” to learn easy ways to improve adherence.
Make the Most of Medical Appointments
Prepare for appointments by writing down questions and concerns. This helps ensure you get the information you need and helps your healthcare team understand how best to support you. Consider bringing a friend or family member to help take notes and keep track of important points discussed.
Use Tools to Stay Organized
Your doctor may ask you to keep track of things like fluid intake, blood pressure readings, and blood glucose levels. There are plenty of helpful tools available to keep you organized while managing CKD. Apps and digital tools can help you set medication reminders, track fluid intake and diet, and stay connected to your healthcare team. If you prefer old-fashioned pen and paper, keep a notebook handy and bring it to your healthcare appointments. Healthmap also offers a printable Blood Pressure Log Sheet, Blood Glucose Log Sheet, and Medication Schedule Template on our Patient Resources page.
Lifestyle Enhancement
Living well with CKD is about more than just managing the condition; it’s about finding joy, comfort, and purpose every day. Enhancing your lifestyle with supportive routines and activities can help you maintain a positive outlook and improve your overall well-being.
Stay Active Your Way
Exercise can improve physical health, boost mood, and provide a sense of routine. Find activities you enjoy, whether it’s walking, swimming, cycling, gardening, or dancing, and integrate them into your weekly schedule. If you haven’t exercised in a while, start by setting small goals for yourself. Even gentle, low-impact activities like yoga or tai chi can be beneficial. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting a new exercise program to ensure it’s safe for you.
Find Calm Through Mindfulness and Relaxation
Mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing, and gentle stretching can reduce stress and improve mental clarity. Even just a few minutes a day of quiet, reflective time can help you manage the emotional ups and downs of living with a chronic disease. You may want to try different techniques to find what works best for you.
Discover Joy in New (and Old) Hobbies
CKD might mean making some lifestyle changes, but there are still plenty of hobbies and activities that people with CKD can do without issues. Whether it’s picking up a new hobby or diving back into an old passion, finding ways to stay engaged can greatly enhance your quality of life. Try painting, gardening, cooking, or even learning a new skill online—whatever makes you feel happy and fulfilled.
Plan for the Future
If you have advanced CKD, thinking ahead about treatment options like dialysis or a kidney transplant can help you feel more prepared for the future. Educating yourself about your options and starting to make decisions can offer peace of mind. You can start by learning about the different types of dialysis (see “Choosing the Right Dialysis Type”), and start thinking about setting up an advance directive so your healthcare preferences are clear to your loved ones (see “Creating an Advance Directive”).
Celebrate Small Wins
Even small steps forward represent progress. Whether it’s sticking to your meal plan, getting through a tough day, or reaching a new fitness goal, it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements. This helps reinforce positive habits, making it easier to keep moving forward.
Lean On Your Support Network
Managing CKD can feel isolating, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Engaging family, friends, and caregivers can make a huge difference. Let them know how they can help, whether that’s by joining your appointments with your doctors, assisting with meal planning, or simply being there to listen.
For those in Healthmap’s Kidney Population Health Management program, our Care Navigation team is an important part of that network. We provide personalized support to help members navigate the complexities of CKD, such as helping to coordinate care among different providers and ensure access to needed services. We also work with members to help them overcome any social barriers to care, such as financial concerns, lack of transportation, or limited access to healthy food options. Our Care Navigators have helped members find resources to help them pay for medications, coordinate transportation to healthcare appointments, apply for affordable housing, and much more. Overcoming challenges that may impede members’ quality of life is an important part of the program.
Conclusion
Living with CKD can present challenges, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. With proactive management and thoughtful lifestyle choices, you can maintain a high quality of life and continue to do the things you love. By understanding your condition, maintaining a support network, and finding joy in everyday activities, you can navigate the journey with confidence and resilience. Healthmap’s Care Navigation team is here to help you live well with kidney disease. Eligible program members can start improving their health management today by calling Healthmap at 1-800-481-0474.