LIVING WITH ADPKD
"What are tips
to help manage
kidney health?"
Keeping a healthy lifestyle helps to avoid gaining too much weight, since that can put a strain on your kidneys and cause your blood pressure to rise. High blood pressure may cause damage to your kidneys.
Eat a heart-healthy diet
What to eat
Whole foods, such as:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Nuts
- Beans
- Whole grains and high-fiber carbohydrates that are low in sodium
- Lean protein with omega-3 fats, such as fish and eggs
- Poultry
What to avoid
- Food or drinks that contain lots of sodium, as this may cause your blood pressure to rise
- Smoking may cause your blood pressure to rise, which can cause damage to your kidneys
Exercise regularly
Improves blood pressure, sleep, heart health, bone mass, and more. Consider non-weight-bearing exercises like swimming, walking, or biking. Make sure to check with your physician prior to engaging in exercise.
Practice relaxation techniques
This can help reduce stress.
Drink lots of water
In ADPKD, vasopressin, an antidiuretic hormone, stimulates cyst growth. Drinking enough water throughout the day can help suppress this hormone. Talk to your doctor about what amount of water intake is right for you.
Pay attention to your body
Being aware of your health allows you to respond quickly and correctly to any issues.
Take medications as directed by your doctor
Check with your healthcare provider before you make a change. If you have been diagnosed, learn about a treatment option for ADPKD.
Keep all your appointments
Stay organized in order to schedule and manage checkups and routine testing. Talking to your doctors, nurses, and pharmacist is a good way to get more information. Regular appointments will help you and your healthcare team keep track of your condition.
Stay informed and communicate with your healthcare team
It’s important to talk to your healthcare team and advocate for your best care. Creating a strong relationship with your doctors and receiving consistent care may improve your overall health.
Listen for tips from those first-hand living with the disease.
"How should I talk to my family and friends about ADPKD?"
It’s important to talk about your ADPKD diagnosis for a number of reasons:
- ADPKD runs in families, but it can affect members of the same family in different ways.
- An early diagnosis can mean treating high blood pressure and making lifestyle changes to protect kidney function to better manage ADPKD and disease-related complications.
- Genetic counseling and genetic testing can be helpful for couples planning a family.
- Early screening and diagnosis may make it possible to continue leading an active, productive life for longer.
- Early diagnosis may lead to early screening of family members with ADPKD as well.
- Learning about ADPKD and having an open discussion may help families reduce fear and tension, whether other family members have ADPKD or not.
ADPKD can cause stress for families, especially because it is passed down from your parents. Despite this, many experts suggest that you share information about your diagnosis, especially with adult family members. This gives them the opportunity to learn about what’s going on with you and to become educated about the condition.
Discuss your daily struggles and triumphs with people you trust. They can help you make decisions about your treatment options. They can also help you make healthy lifestyle changes that may help you keep your kidneys healthy.
ADPKD=autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
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