Patient/caregiver was educated on measures to plan for dialysis diet recommendation as follows:
- Watch on protein intake: Protein is needed for important body functions, such as, nutrition, repair & restoring of body tissues, build immunity & fight infections, muscle building, and general health maintenance. But, excessive protein intake in individuals with renal failure could be taxing on the poorly performing kidneys and add to further compromise of renal function. So, protein intake could be limited in these individuals to prevent any further deterioration of renal function. Check with your doctor regarding your daily protein allowance and observe compliance with recommendation made.
- 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 undergoing dialysis, potassium intake is closely watched upon to prevent any deterioration of cardiac function.
