1. Eat Properly
When you have to go through kidney dialysis, a good diet is essential. When your kidneys work, they filter waste from your blood. This waste is flushed out through urination. When your kidneys stop working like they should, the only way that you can filter the waste from your blood is to undergo dialysis. A renal diet is usually low in protein and potassium. This means that you will have to limit meats, milk, bananas and other foods that are high in protein or potassium. It is a good idea to meet with a registered dietitian to determine the best renal diet for you. Make sure that you eat enough to fuel your body despite the limitations placed on certain aspects of your diet. In addition to food restrictions, your doctor will restrict your fluid intake. It is extremely important for you to follow these restrictions to ensure that your dialysis is as effective as possible.
2. Doctor's Orders
Before your dialysis treatments start, your doctor will prescribe you certain medicines to help your dialysis be as successful as possible. She may prescribe medications to help control fluid retention, blood pressure problems and itching. You must take these medicines as directed to make sure that your treatments work as effectively as possible.
3. Learn All You Can
Many dialysis treatment centers have seminars and support groups that can help you to understand the dialysis treatments. Try to attend a seminar or group meeting before your first dialysis treatment. When you attend, you will meet other patients who can tell you their experiences and offer advice and support for you during your treatments. Make sure that you ask any questions that you have during this time. If you can't find a seminar or dialysis support group in your area, try to find a support group for people with renal failure. You can ask your doctor or search online for support groups.
4. Port Care
When you have dialysis treatments, you will have a fistula or port that is used to filter the waste from your blood. The port is usually located in your arm. You must learn how to properly care for your vascular access port because if it isn't properly cared for, it can become infected. Ask a nurse or patient care technician to show you how to properly care for your port.
5. Entertainment Options
Dialysis treatments can be long and boring. Plan ahead by deciding what you can do to occupy your time. Depending on where your fistula or port is located, you may be able to play hand held video games, read a book, write or listen to music. Before you decide on your entertainment choice, check with the treatment center to be sure that you aren't thinking of something that may be disallowed by the center or that may disturb other patients.
