Patient was educated on measures to plan for renal diet recommendation as follows:
- Watch on potassium intake: Potassium levels in the blood are very closely regulated, as any potassium out of this range can be severely detrimental to the normal heart function. Usually, kidneys help in the maintenance of this normal range of potassium, by excreting any excess of potassium into the urine in states of potassium excess and reabsorbing potassium from the urine in states of potassium deficit. Poorly functioning kidneys cannot effectively perform this task of potassium maintenance, which can severe compromise the heart function. So, in patients with poor renal function, potassium intake is closely watched upon to prevent any deterioration of cardiac function.
- Watch on sodium intake: Normal functioning kidneys play an important role in sodium/salt level management and blood pressure management control. Poorly functioning kidneys in renal failure patients cannot effectively eliminate sodium from the body in urine and poorly regulate the blood pressure. Also, sodium retained in the body in renal failure patients can lead to retention of more fluid in the body, thus increasing the blood volume and blood pressure. Increased blood volume and poorly controlled blood pressure can contribute to extra workload on already failing kidneys and worsen the renal function further. So, in patients with poor renal function, sodium intake is closely watched upon to improve blood pressure control and prevent any further worsening of renal function.
