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by Mary LeCours, C.S.W.
The more you know and understand about your kidney disease the better you will feel. When you are a dialysis patient it always seems as if someone is telling you what you can and should do. Understanding why the doctors and staff ask you to do these things is important so you can make better choices. In order to do this one needs to take control over their life. There are many ways to take control. Education and learning about dialysis and your treatment is just one way. Taking responsibility for your treatment, diet and mediction is another. Finally the hardest and one of the most important ways to maintain control in your life is by keeping a positive attitude. Following are some tips that dialysis patients can use to gain control over their lives:
1. Dialysis is not the end of the world. You can change your lifestyle, and still enjoy life.
2. Learn everything you can about your disease, dialysis, how the machine works and what the displays on the machine mean.
3. Ask the nurses if you can learn to put yourself on the machine.
4. Question the staff and doctors about things that confuse you, including medications they are giving you on treatment.
5. Learn what foods are bad for you and ask the dietitian for suggestions if you have to give up some favorite foods.
6. Make sure you have a good scale at home and understand the importance of a "dry weight".
7. Know the metric system - most hospitals and dialysis centers use this.
8. Understand how it is important to not miss or cut treatments short.
9. Know your medications and their purpose - don't call them the "yellow pill".
10. Keep a sense of humor and always treat others as you would want to be treated.
(Tips are from the Life Options Rehabilitation Program).
Check out our Articles & Links page to find more information on how you can take control of your Kidney Disease.
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