The kidneys filter fluids and remove excess waste from the body. They also remove drugs from the body, control red blood cell production and maintain the balance of fluids. When the kidneys fail, fluid and wastes can accumulate in the body and endanger your health. Acute kidney failure occurs over a period of hours or days, usually because of a critical illness or injury. It can be fatal. However, a person in otherwise good health can regain normal kidney function with prompt treatment. Chronic kidney failure occurs over a longer period of time and can go undetected until there is a significant loss of kidney function. Chronic kidney failure is incurable, but treatment can alleviate symptoms or complications and slow its progression.
Treatment
Treatment for kidney failure includes medication, dialysis and possibly a kidney transplant. In addition to treatment, renal patients must follow a special diet that provides essential nutrients and prevents taxing the weakened kidneys. According to the American Association of Kidney Patients, a renal diet restricts the amount of sodium, phosphorous, potassium and fluid in your diet if you have chronic kidney failure.
Fluids
Patients suffering kidney failure must limit their fluid intake to minimize fluid build-up between dialysis sessions and avoid weight gain and swelling. Foods that contain water--such as ice cream, soup, gelatin, apples, oranges, lettuce, celery, grapes, melons and tomatoes--should be avoided. Avoid salty foods to help reduce thirst.
Protein
Individuals with acute kidney failure may be instructed to watch their protein consumption to avoid taxing the kidneys as they heal. A chronic renal patient, however, may be instructed to eat more protein from high-quality food sources such as poultry, eggs, fish and meat because their kidneys no longer filter protein efficiently.
Potassium
A person with kidney failure must limit potassium intake once urine output decreases, because potassium levels rise between dialysis sessions and can affect heartbeat. High-potassium foods such as bananas, kiwis, avocados, prunes and prune juice, tomato juice and sauce, nuts, dried peas and beans, chocolate, orange and orange juice should be avoided.
Phosphorous
Phosphorous works with calcium to build strong teeth and bones, and it helps filter waste in the kidneys. When the kidneys fail, they no longer regulate phosphorous and too much phosphorous can cause bone disease. Phosphate binders may be prescribed to bind phosphorous in food as it is digested so that it passes in the stool. Chronic renal patients should avoid or eliminate foods such as milk, red, white or black beans, lima beans, black-eyed peas, yogurt, liver, cheese, sardines and chocolate to maintain phosphorous levels.
Sodium
Renal patients should monitor their blood pressure and limit or avoid high-sodium foods, such as bacon, corned beef or hash, ham, sausage or pepperoni, pizza, fast food, potato or corn chips, pretzels, soy sauce, pickles and Chinese food.
References
- American Association of Kidney Patients: What to Eat if You Have Kidney Disease
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Eat Right to Feel Right on Hemodialysis
- National Kidney Foundation: How Your Kidneys Work
- National Kidney Foundation: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
- Mayo Clinic: Kidney failure, acute
