Guide To Kidney Disease Diagnosis And Treatment

Kidney Transplant

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure that replaces a damaged kidney with a healthy one from a donor. In recommending a kidney transplant, doctors will consider the patient's physical health, mental health, age, and other factors, and patients will need to have medical and psychological assessments. Approved patients will be placed on the transplant list. In many cases, kidney transplants can be completed using live donors. Transplant operations are performed with general anesthesia, and a newly transplanted kidney will usually start producing urine immediately. The hospital recovery period is approximately one week. The incision from the operation heals in roughly six weeks, and patients will need to avoid lifting and exercise other than walking during this period. For the first few weeks or months after a transplant, frequent checkups are necessary, and patients need to remain near the transplant center. Individuals who have had a transplant will also need to take life-long medication to prevent organ rejection.

Exercise Regularly

Patients with kidney disease are often advised to exercise regularly. Frequent physical activity can help in controlling blood pressure, and it also reduces fatigue and stress. Before beginning an exercise program, patients should always ask their physician about which exercises are safe for their health needs. In general, thirty minutes of exercise on five days of the weeks is sufficient. Gentle exercises such as walking, swimming, yoga, tai chi, and dancing can be helpful, and patients may also enjoy doing gardening or household chores for added exercise. Exercising in group classes or with the help of a personal trainer may be beneficial for some patients, too. During exercise, patients should remain vigilant for any chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness. If these symptoms occur, patients should stop exercising immediately, and the symptoms should be reported to a doctor.