Exercise For People With Chronic Kidney Disease
Many have questioned the safety of exercise for people with chronic kidney disease. A recently conducted study advocates physical activity for persons coping with decreased renal function. Just as diet prevents the progression of renal failure, exercise has also proved to be one of the effective cures for kidney disease (symptomatic relief). The study asserts that a well-structured exercise routine can improve the quality of life and prolong health in such patients.
Although exercise is safe, IgA Nephropathy there are certain precautions you should keep in mind. To add, one cannot perform all activities, there is a specific set prescribed for renal disease patients. We have discussed both the topics below.
Causes of Decreased Physical Activity
One of the most conspicuous consequences of kidney disease is loss of fitness. Individuals experience tremendous difficulty when it comes to performing everyday tasks. There are several reasons for it. Chronic Kidney Disease diets impose a number of restrictions cutting calorie and nutritional intake. The muscles tire out easily. There is a constant feeling of fatigue. Muscle cramps and twitches aggravate the problem further. Also, a person finds it hard to concentrate and focus on the tasks in hand.
Benefits of Exercise
Aerobic exercises and resistance training are recommended for CKD patients. One can undertake either aerobic or resistance training or a combination of both. Yoga is also a beneficial form of physical activity.
Regular physical activity has several benefits to the body. It boosts metabolic rate and helps burn the extra pounds. Thus, it assists in maintaining healthy weight. One may also notice an increase in appetite when they start exercising. Resistance training strengthens the muscle groups and builds stamina and endurance. It does away with the feelings of lethargy and leaves you feeling more energetic. It improves performance.
Aerobic activities improve the body’s consumption of oxygen. It has shown to regulate blood pressure and lipid profiles. Cardiovascular routines also condition the muscles of the heart. It promotes mental health and psychological well being first by improving concentration power and focus and second by reducing anxiety and depression.
On the whole, exercise improves performance. It can help delay the need for dialysis. Also by keeping a tab on lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure and obesity it reduces the chances of complete kidney failure.
Precautionary Measures
• You should consult your doctor before you start an exercise routine.
• If you work out regularly and have been recently diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease, discuss your current routine with your health care professional. He will evaluate your current workout program based on your health status and suggest necessary alterations.
• Exercise routines are different for those on dialysis and those on medications only.
• If you had stopped exercising after the diagnosis and wish to start again, you should start slow under the supervision of your doctor. This will prevent unnecessary injury and allow you to continue exercising in a healthy manner.