Living with Kidney Disease
Learning more about chronic kidney disease can help you increase your confidence to manage the condition and empower you to feel in control. The more you know about chronic kidney disease, the better equipped you will be to understand what's happening and why. Take each step at a time, and work with your healthcare team when you need further help, support or guidance.
We hope the information on this website will help you to have a better understanding of chronic kidney disease. We have included hints and tips that have supported others. The information has been written by healthcare professionals that care for children with kidney disease and their families.
A young persons experience of living with kidney disease
Living with kidney disease can sometimes be a challenge. Hear the views of a young person who has lived with kidney disease perspective as she shares her top hints and tips in the videos below:
Video 1: My hints and tips for eating out when living with kidney disease
Video 2: My hints and tips when following a fluid restriction
Video 3: My hints and tips for remembering to take medications
Video 4: my hints and tips for following a reduced salt diet
School
Starting school or a new school year is an exciting time. Breakfast, snacks and lunch are important for all children at school. Break times are a fun time to spend with friends and enjoy eating together. Eating also helps keep energy levels up during the school day. There can be extra things to consider when planning meals and snacks for a child with chronic kidney disease at school.
Planning in advance and communicating with teachers, catering staff and carers in school can help them enjoy eating and feel like they are included at break times. It may be helpful to plan whether school meals are eaten or packed lunches are brought into school.
Menu options and nutritional information of meals is usually available from schools in advance. This information can be discussed with the dietitian.
This information sheet has more tips on eating at school with chronic kidney disease
Physical Activity and Chronic Kidney Disease
How physical activity can be beneficial:
Being physically active improves long term health and wellbeing of children and adolescents at all stages of chronic kidney disease, dialysis and post-transplant [1-3]. Studies have shown benefits in improved endurance, energy levels and muscle strength[1-3]. Exercise can help to achieve healthy growth and improve heart fitness. When children enjoy activity, this boosts overall well-being and supports a positive outlook[4]. Regular physical activity supports overall health. We have developed some resources to help you along the way.
What kind of activity?
Choosing an enjoyable activity is the most important step. Involve the whole family - make it fun as well as healthy for everyone. Start with small amounts of activity each day to build up a habit of being physically active. There are lots of ways to become more active.
Download our resources for some more information on the beneficial effects of physical activity and ideas to get started.
References:
1. Akber, A., A.A. Portale, and K.L. Johansen, Pedometer-Assessed Physical Activity in Children and Young Adults with CKD. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2012. 7(5): p. 720-726.
2. Akber, A., A.A. Portale, and K.L. Johansen, Use of pedometers to increase physical activity among children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease. Pediatric Nephrology, 2014. 29(8): p. 1395-1402.
3. Alaylı, G., et al., Physical function, muscle strength and muscle mass in children on peritoneal dialysis. Pediatric Nephrology, 2008. 23(4): p. 639-644.
4. Hamiwka, L.A., et al., Physical activity and health related quality of life in children following kidney transplantation. Pediatric Transplantation, 2009. 13(7): p. 861-867.
