Thread: Risks of Kidney Failure

A concern for kidney patients is that they maintain proper protein levels. Kidneys, when functioning normally, remove urea, a waste product of protein, from the bloodstream. When kidneys are not functioning properly, urea can build up in the system and make patients ill. Because of this patients with kidney failure need to limit the amount of protein in their diets. However, it is important for patients to not be over-zealous in their limiting of protein, because too getting too little protein can also have serious health consequences.

Patients with kidney disease also run the risk of losing bone calcium due to high phosphorus levels. If patients do not take a phosphate binder, phosphorus in the blood will pull calcium from the bones, making them weak and brittle.

Potassium levels are also important to people with kidney disease. This mineral affects the steadiness of the heartbeat and its level in the bloodstream is normally kept steady by the kidneys. If there is too much potassium in the blood it can be very dangerous for the heart, and possibly even fatal.

Maintaining daily calorie intake is a concern for patients following a kidney diet. With the great number of restrictions placed on the kinds of foods a person can eat it can be difficult for a patient to eat enough calories each day. However if overall caloric intake is not maintained at high enough levels the patient can suffer body tissue breakdown.

If patients with later stages of kidney disease do not pay close attention to their sodium and fluid intake they have a serious risk of retaining water. Fluid can build up and cause painful swelling and weight gain. It also can cause blood pressure to rise which can adversely affect the heart. Kidney disease patients also have a greater risk of heart disease. Following a low-fat diet will usually be necessary.

It is important that the patient and the family strictly follows right diet provided by your doctor as this will aid you in recovering from the condition. It is not a very easy disease to have. As we all know our kidney is one of our most important organ. Taking the condition for granted can lead to other organ failure, or worse, death.

I totally agree. I have seen it from my friend and she was suffering so bad from the condition. You really have to be careful with what you it as abuse may cause more damage to the body. I actually got scared just watching my friend go through pain and the difficulty. That is when I started to avoid junk, spicy, and salty foods.

Low fat diet is not that bad . I avoid fatty foods all the time and I don't eat junk foods. I avoid fried foods and I only eat them when they are baked. That is why I rarely eat out. I cook my own food to ensure it's healthiness and to make sure that I keep the calorie count to the limit. I avoid salts and too much carbo. I rarely eat meats too. I prefer eating sea foods as they are safer and low in fat.

That is so good! I wish I can do that too. I don't think I have that will to eat the way you do. How did you start with your own diet? Don't you feel tired counting your calories and to always be in the look out?

It was difficult when I first started it. I used to consume about 3000 calories a day but I was not happy with how I looked. I was not fat but I wanted to look more healthy. And I was also have difficulty breathing, so I thought it was my body fats hurting my body and my heart. I started to research on different diet plans but I didn't think I could do it so I took my time and I slowly limited my calorie intake. I made sure that I cut down 500 calories from my diet every month. I lost almost 10 pounds after 2 months and then I started to feel good about myself and my health so I continued my own diet and stopped at 1000-1200 calories a day. I should say that it's all in the mind. Like what they say, it's mind over matter. You can do anything if you really want to, no matter the cost.

That's great! However you have to make sure that you do not deprive yourself of the right nutrition. You still have to keep a balanced diet to ensure good health.

Hi Victoria,


Your post is very informative because last year i was facing kidney problems.

Kidney patients must eat only healthy and doctor recommended food.

Really? OMG! How are feeling now? Are you better? I'm so sorry to hear that Mikeslo_Mcd! I hope you're well

Originally Posted by Mikeslo_Mcd

Hi Victoria,


Your post is very informative because last year i was facing kidney problems.

Kidney patients must eat only healthy and doctor recommended food.

You're welcome! I'm glad that you like it. So are you feeling a lot better now? I'm sure it must have been hard for you to follow the doctor's prescribed foods all the time because I know sometimes we cannot help but want to eat a certain foods. How did you know handle it?