Renal failure means that the kidneys are no longer properly filtering all wastes from the body. Wastes come from consuming foods and liquids. Renal failure often occurs slowly over time, and people with total renal failure will require dialysis to remove the wastes from the blood. People with renal failure should maintain a specific diet in order to help keep the levels of waste in the blood to a minimum because dialysis alone can't remove all wastes from the blood.
Dialysis
Dialysis is a machine that removes excess waste products and fluids from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to perform this function. There are two types of dialysis. MayoClinic.com explains that during hemodialysis, the blood is pumped out of the body into a machine that works like an artificial kidney, filtering wastes from the blood before returning it to the body. Peritoneal dialysis involves pumping a specialized dialysis solution into the abdominal cavity and allowing the body's blood vessels to carry waste products and excess fluids to the abdominal cavity where the solution absorbs them. The dialysis fluid is then pumped out of the body along with the excess fluids and wastes.
Renal Failure Diet
The purpose of a renal failure diet is to maintain the balance of electrolytes, fluids and minerals in patients who are undergoing dialysis. This diet helps control the buildup of wastes in the blood because dialysis alone cannot appropriately filter all wastes from the blood, according to University of Maryland Medical Center.
Limiting Foods
People with kidney failure should be vigilant about the types of food they consume. Proteins can increase the amount of wastes in the blood, so people with kidney failure should consume limited quantities of poultry, pork, beef, fish, eggs and certain dairy products. People with kidney failure should also consume limited amounts of food with phosphorus, such as beans, peas, colas, beer and cocoa, because the kidneys can no longer eliminate excess phosphorus. This can trigger calcium to release from the bones, causing them to become weak.
Fluid Restrictions
The National Institutes of Health explains that people who are on dialysis for kidney failure rarely urinate, which allows fluids to build up quickly between dialysis treatments. Physicians will often limit fluids to coincide with the amount of urine a patient can still produce. For example, if a patient can eliminate 200 milliliters a day then they can consume 200 milliliters per day. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, dialysis patients should attempt to avoid foods that contain large quantities of water, such as jello, popsicles, grapes, melons and lettuce, so they do not inadvertently consume excess fluids.
Considerations
When dealing with a chronic illness, such as kidney failure, it is often best to consult a specialized registered dietician who can create meal plans and menus. It is important that people with kidney failure maintain a diet that balances the amount of calories required to maintain health while still avoiding foods that can exacerbate their condition.
