48 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • APRIL 5, 2018 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
health
Nutrition takes center stage for
people with chronic conditions
Nutrition is important for everyone.
The proper vitamins and nutrients help
the body stay healthy and function well.
For people with chronic conditions, the
right nutrition is essential in helping to
ward off potential health hazards.
Depending on your state of health,
some nutrients may be critical and too
much of others can be toxic. For example,
too much sodium can cause high
blood pressure, which increases the risk
of developing heart disease or having a
stroke. For people with chronic kidney
disease (CKD), too much potassium can
be fatal.
The kidneys play a major role in maintaining
potassium levels. For people with
CKD, it’s more difficult for the body to
maintain the right levels of potassium and
they are at risk of developing hyperkalemia,
a condition in which someone has
elevated potassium levels in their blood.
Hyperkalemia is a serious condition and
can pose major health risks, including
irregular heartbeat.
Many people don’t even know that they
have hyperkalemia and symptoms can
be difficult to detect. According to the
National Kidney Foundation, many people
with high potassium have few, if any,
symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they
are usually mild and may include muscle
weakness, numbness, tingling, nausea or
other feelings.
High potassium usually develops slowly
over many weeks or months; however,
it can also occur suddenly. You may feel
heart palpitations, shortness of breath,
chest pain, nausea or vomiting. Sudden
or severe hyperkalemia is a life-threatening
condition and requires immediate
medical care.
If you have CKD or other chronic conditions
or diseases, it’s important to take
your nutrition seriously. Here are three
tips to help you take control of your diet:
Talk with your doctor
Talk to your doctor or a member of
your health care team about proper nutrition
and dietary changes that might help
protect your kidneys. A simple call or
checkup can provide a wealth of important
information.
Your physician may even have you
work with a nutritionist or dietitian who
can guide you toward food that will help
you stay healthy.
Consider medications
To manage a serious condition like
CKD, it’s likely you are already taking
a variety of medications. Some medications
may affect how your body processes
certain nutrients, so it’s important to
be aware of which medications you are
taking and at what dosage. For example,
some medicines like nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and
beta-blockers are frequently prescribed
to people with CKD and heart failure,
and these can cause hyperkalemia as a
side effect.
If you are being treated with these medications,
talk to your doctor to understand
any risk you might have for hyperkalemia.
Watch what you eat
If you have a disease or chronic condition,
being aware of what you eat is one
of the most important steps you can take
to ensure you get the right level of nutrients.
Some people keep a food diary to
track and record how certain foods make
them feel. This can be a valuable resource
for your health care team when reviewing
your nutritional concerns.
For people with hyperkalemia, it’s
important to eat a low-potassium diet.
You can still enjoy many foods, but you
may need to make adjustments or eat certain
foods in moderation. For example,
fruits like bananas, melons and oranges
are high in potassium. Instead, eat
low-potassium options such as apples,
grapes or berries. Your doctor can provide
you with a reference list to keep on
hand as you learn more about what to eat
and what to avoid.
Make your kidney health a priority. Talk
to your doctor to learn more about the
link between nutrition and kidney health,
and to design a diet and treatment plan
that works for you. Understanding your
particular dietary needs can help keep you
and your kidneys healthy and thriving.
Courtesy BPT