There can be no better way to maintain a healthy lifestyle other than a regular exercise and fitness routine. Sometimes even after surgeries, doctors recommend exercise to the patients for a speedy recovery. A kidney transplant is one such surgery that requires you to follow a strict fitness regime after the operation process.

Importance of Exercise after a Kidney Transplant:

Exercise, as recommended by the doctor, should be an integral part of the lives of kidney transplant patients. The variations of exercise may differ depending on the age and general physical health of the patient. The need for exercise after a transplant is as follows  

  Helps to increase energy levels
  Increases overall physical strength and immunity
  Helps maintain a standard weight as an obese body is very harmful for patients suffering from kidney ailments
  Reduces stress, anxiety and depression
  Prevents after effects of kidney transplant like high blood pressure and cholesterol level
  Helps to strengthen bones
  Helps tone muscles and increases balance and joint flexibility
  Strengthens the heart and overall cardiovascular system
  Helps the patient to sleep better
  Boosts self-image and increases confidence

Types of Exercises that can be done:

  Stretching   Consistent stretching before any exercise helps increase muscle strength. It also prevents muscle strain and injury.
  Aerobic   Aerobic or cardiovascular exercises are generally recommended for younger patients. It includes moderately heavy exercises involving a greater number of muscles. This kind of exercise strengthens the heart and lungs and improves breathing. Aerobic exercises include walking, jogging, jumping rope, bicycling, skating, rowing and water aerobics. However, for most patients, brisk walking or jogging is recommended.
Ideally one should exercise for a minimum period of 20 minutes at least four times a week.

Things to Remember:

  It has been medically proved that patients who exercise regularly following a kidney transplant procedure are more likely to survive healthily for the upcoming 5 years compared to patients who lead a sedentary life.
  However one should not resort to heavy and strenuous exercises immediately after the surgery. It is advisable to start with mild forms of exercise like walking and increase the levels gradually depending on one s age.
  One should not eat a heavy meal just before exercising.
  It is important to stop for breaks in between exercise. The patient should not over exert himself.
  It is advisable to avoid lifting heavy weights like dumbbells.
  Stop exercising immediately if you experience chest pain, lightheadedness or pressure in chest, neck or arm.
  Consult the doctor for the kinds of exercises you can do depending on your condition.

With a healthy diet and regular exercise, there are fewer chances of reoccurrence of kidney ailments.

Fitness/Exercise/Games After Kidney Transplant!

The first commandment of healthy living is to eat plenty of fresh fruits. However, did you know that some fruits are healthier than others? Fruits do not have any added sugars but many fruits are rich in natural sugar. However, here are 11 fruits which have lowest sugar content.

Limes and lemons: Limes and lemons are known as sour fruits. While they are rich in vitamin C, they do not contain a lot of sugar. Freshly squeezed lime juice and hot water is the perfect drink to curb your appetite and raise metabolism.
Raspberries: Raspberries are rich in fiber but have only a little more than a teaspoon of sugar per cup. This makes them the perfect fruit to start the day with.
Strawberries: Strawberries may taste sweet but a cup of fresh strawberries has only about 7 grams of sugar. However, a cup of strawberries has enough vitamin C to take care of your daily requirements.
Blackberries: A cup of these berries also has minimal sugar. Along with fiber, these fruits are also rich in antioxidants. These berries also help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other such conditions.
Kiwi: Did you know that kiwis are technically berries? Each kiwi has less than 6 grams of sugar but is very rich in vitamin C.
Grapefruit: A grapefruit is a perfect breakfast. These citrus fruits are rich in fiber and low in sugar. Half a grapefruit contains only 52 calories and minimal sugar. They are also rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium.
Avocado: Avocados are naturally low in their sugar content. One raw avocado has less than a gram of sugar. However, they are full of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and potassium.
Watermelon: Summer would be incomplete without watermelons. Though they taste sweet, watermelons are very low in sugar. A cup of watermelon has less than 10 grams of sugar.
Cantaloupe: Cantaloupes are rich in vitamin A but a cup of this fruit has only about 14 grams of sugar. They are also rich in vitamin B, magnesium and fiber.
Oranges: Eating an orange is the best way to boost our vitamin C levels and keep infections away. One orange typically contains less than 70 calories and 12 grams of sugar.
Peaches: A medium sized peach has less than 13 grams of sugar. This is an example of how taste can be deceptive when it comes to calories.
Given the sugar content in these fruits, it would be a great idea for the diabetics and weight watchers to include them in their diet and have a healthy and hearty meal. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a General Physician.

11 Best Fruits That Are Low In Sugar Content!

The kidneys are the purifiers of the body; they help in removing the waste from the body through the urine. In those suffering from kidney diseases, the function of the kidney is affected, and so their ability to clear out waste from the body is reduced and completely lost gradually. However, waste continues to form, and therefore, such patients have to undergo dialysis, where the blood is purified through an external device.

The frequency and duration of the dialysis would depend on how effectively the kidneys are still functioning and how much waste has been formed from the time of the previous dialysis session. The person s overall body mass index (BMI) and the water weight gained are also considered.

Once it is decided that a person s kidneys are damaged and dialysis is required, the person has to prepare for a long-term process. The following outlines what to expect before, during, and after the dialysis sessions. 

Before the session: 

Since most people prefer to get it done at a dialysis centre, it is preferable to plan for it, three treatments a week on an average, with each session lasting about 4 to 4 hours.

During the session: 

The blood flows through the dialysis device, which acts as an artificial kidney. The sequence of events are as follows:
The Weight is checked
Vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and pulse are checked.
The access areas are washed, and needles are used to connect these areas to the dialysis machine. Anesthesia may be used in the beginning to reduce the pain in this area.
The same access areas are used for each session, and over a period of time, buttonholes are formed which is like a small tunnel.
Though the session would last about 3 to 4 days, normal activities can be done, including reading, working on a laptop, watching television, or even sleeping.
Once the dialysis session is complete, the tube will be removed and a dressing is placed over the site.
After the session

The same site is used each time for the dialysis, so for the first couple of sessions, there could be discomfort. There could also be nausea, diarrhoea, cramping, and headaches.
The treatment needs to be adjusted based on symptoms, so please let the doctor know if you experience any symptoms.

Call the doctor if you are facing the following:

Bleeding from the access site
Inflammatory signs around the site
Persistent fever of over 104 degrees
Numbness or weakness in the arms
Confusion, drowsiness, or cognition problems
Though initially uncomfortable, once you get into the dialysis schedule, you will notice the difference of how cleansed you will feel after each session.

Undergoing Dialysis - What To Expect From It?

Located right under the rib cage, kidneys are a very important organ of the body. They are not only responsible for purifying your blood from wastes and excess fluid but are also involved in maintaining electrolyte balance, regulating blood pressure and producing red blood cell in the body.

In many cases, due to some medical condition, one or both kidneys may stop functioning properly. If not treated in time, it may lead to complete kidney failure and if the kidneys fail completely, dialysis or transplant may be the only treatment options available.

Dialysis is a treatment in which the blood is filtered and purified artificially using machines. This process is beneficial for those whose kidneys are not able to do their job properly.

Need for dialysis

A functioning kidney prevents the accumulation of excess water, impurities, and wastes inside the body. They also work to maintain the blood pressure level and control the presence of certain chemicals like sodium and potassium.

When the kidneys fail to perform these critical functions, maybe because of some disease or injury, dialysis helps to keep up the healthy functioning of the body as much as possible. As without dialysis all the wastes and fluids will accumulate and poison the body, resulting even in death. However, it must be kept in mind that dialysis is not a cure for kidney diseases; it is just an alternative to their functions.

Types of dialysis
Dialysis is an artificial process of purifying your blood using machines. There are two types of dialysis:

Hemodialysis
This is one of the most common types of dialysis, where an artificial kidney, known as a hemodialyzer, is used to remove waste and chemicals from the blood. The doctor surgically creates a vascular access into the blood vessels allowing the artificial kidney to perform.

Peritoneal Dialysis
This is a surgical procedure, where a catheter is implanted in the belly area. The treatment involves a special fluid called dialysate which is flowed into the abdomen to clean the blood. Once the blood is cleaned, the fluid is drained from the abdomen. The benefit of this treatment is that you can perform it in your home, without going to a hospital.

Risks in Dialysis
Even though either of these two treatment procedures is life-saving and there is hardly any alternative, these two can also come with risks. The risks include peritonitis, abdominal muscle weakening, high blood sugar level, weight gain, low blood pressure anemia, muscle cramping, insomnia, itching, depression, increased potassium level and pericarditis. If you experience any of these symptoms of the risks involved, then immediately consult your doctor and explain in details.

A patient who is going through dialysis for a long time also has a chance of succumbing to the medical condition called amyloidosis. When the amyloid proteins, which are produced in bone marrow, collects in kidneys, hearts, liver and other organs, amyloidosis occurs. This results in joint pain, stiffness and even swelling. 

Dialysis May Save Your Life!

Read to know why choosing diet drinks over regular beverages is not good for your health. The diet contains aspartame which is reportedly 200 times sweeter than table sugar. It adversely effects the brain, increases belly fat, headache, abdominal pain etc. 

Diet Drinks vs. Regular Beverages: Which is Worse For Your Health?

A kidney transplant is a procedure that employs an operation to transplant properly functioning kidney in the body. The main job of the kidneys is to remove the excess waste from a person s body with the help of a filtration process. When the kidneys stop filtering the toxins properly, they become diseased as harmful waste products and toxins begin to accumulate in the body. Following this, the patient has to go through treatment measures like dialysis or kidney transplant.

Read on to know the five things you should keep in mind about a kidney transplant.

Treatment: Transplant is one of the best ways to treat chronic kidney disease stage-V, until unless it is contraindicated. Life becomes near normal after transplant, though there is a possibility of rejection of transplant kidney. Patient has to take immunosuppressive medication life long. 
Medication: Medications are mainly for:
To prevent rejection: Patient takes immunosuppressive medications life long. 
Prevention of infection: Patient has to take care all the measures to prevent infections as they are more prone to infections. 
Other medication: To control diabetes, HTN etc. 
Family Only: The donors are from family or emotionally related or cadavers (after brain death). HLA-matched donors are better because of less chances of rejections and first reduction of immunosuppressive. 
Doing Your Part: Once transplant is done - patient becomes normal and he/she lives a normal life. However, they have to take regular medications and to protect themselves from various infection. 
End Stage Renal Diseases: These diseases includes diabetes mellitus, HTN, polycystic kidney disease, chronic glomerulonephritis or interstitial nephritis etc.
Consult your Nephrologist before going for renal transplant for detailed check up or line of action.

Kidney Transplant - 5 Things About it !

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