Staying Healthy

Taking part in pleasant leisure activities and maintaining a well-balanced lifestyle can go a long way toward helping you stay healthy. And have fun! It is important to take part in social activities, sports and recreation events, and other pasttimes that you, and other members of your family and friends enjoy. You may need to make a few adjustments, but they will be well worth it.

Exercise is vitally important to both your physical and mental health. Staying physically fit will give you more energy. With more energy, you will feel like doing more things which will improve your outlook and speed your return to your usual lifestyle. Talk to your healthcare team about a suitable exercise or sports program before you begin (or resume) these activities.

There are many benefits to be enjoyed

from exercise and these include:

Improved physical functioning.

Better blood pressure.

Improved muscle strength.

Lower level of blood fats.

Better sleep.

Better control of body weight.

Reduced risk of heart disease.

Development of stronger bones.

Reduced stress and depression.

Meeting people.

Having fun.

 

 

If you are interested in getting and staying fit, then remember the F.I.T.T principle. Studies have shown that for it to be effective you must exercise:

• Frequently
• Reach a minimum Intensity
• Continue for a minimum length of Time
• Do an appropriate Type of exercise

Frequency

To ensure that you get a positive effect, exercise at least three times a week. Unless you exercise this often, your physical conditioning will not improve. Spread the exercise over the week. Do not do it all on consecutive days. This gives your body time to recover and build up your muscles and energy for the next time.

Intensity

Unless you exercise hard enough, you are not going to get much benefit from it. There are different ways to measure intensity. One of the most common is by measuring your heart rate as you exercise. Talk to your doctor or someone who specialises in physical conditioning.

Time

The exercise must last at least 15 minutes to be effective. Any less, and your physical conditioning will not change. If you’re not able to exercise continuously for that long, try doing it a little less vigorously, or pause for a couple of minutes to catch your breath, then keep going. The longer you keep it up, the more good it will do you.

Type

Some exercises are better than others. Some of the best are walking, swimming, and riding a bicycle. They get most of your muscles working and increase your heart rate to a healthy level. You can also adjust the intensity to suit your level of fitness. Best of all, they’re fun to do. Before you start a vigorous exercise program, check with your healthcare team-they can advise you on which exercises are best for you, and which ones, if any, you should avoid.

 

GENERAL HEALTH ADVICE

NUTRITION
Eat a healthy diet, this means eating a wide variety of foods, in the correct amounts, to ensure good health. Important points:

• Eat three main meals a day.
• Avoid fried and fatty foods.
• Eat more fruit and vegetables.
• Eat more fibre rich foods.
• Reduce sugary foods and sweetened drinks.
• Avoid adding salt to foods.
• Adhere to diet restrictions such as low salt, low cholesterol and diabetic diets according to doctors’ or dieticians’ instructions.
• Fluid restrictions may be necessary to maintain, please follow your doctor’s advice regarding same.

 

WEIGHT CONTROL/EXERCISE
Exercise has a positive affect on blood pressure, cholesterol levels and the functioning of the heart and lungs even if you do not lose weight. Adopt a regular exercise pattern if one does not exist in your life. This is essential to maintain a healthy body weight and decrease the risk of obesity.

CLINIC APPOINTMENTS
Please attend all Out-Patient or other clinic appointments to ensure a continuous record of medical history. If you are unable to attend any scheduled appointments, please inform the department for further available dates.

MEDICATIONS
Please keep a list of your current medications with you on all health visits, as it is important to have an up-to-date record. Medications, not prescribed by your doctor, should not be taken. Avoid herbal remedies without seeking medical advice, as some may interact with specific medications.

STRESS
Decreasing stress will improve your psychological health, which is essential to general health and well-being. Further help may be sought from the kidney nurse counsellor or therapist.

SMOKING AND DRUGS
If you are currently smoking, try firstly to cut back and, over a period of time, to cease. Smoking damages the lungs and puts you at risk of lung cancer. Smoking tobacco, marijuana or other drug use is harmful to everyone.

Any form of ‘recreational drugs’, such as ecstasy, speed or cocaine, can have a serious effect on your body and mind. These drugs may also interact with your medications.

ALCOHOL INTAKE
Alcohol is high in sugars and calories. Excess alcohol can increase your triglyceride level and promote weight gain. Use sugar free mixers such as diet minerals or slimline tonic. Have 2-3 alcohol free days per week and, when taking alcohol, do not exceed the recommended limits:
(A) Men: 21 units per week.
(B) Women: 14 units per week.

 

Irish Kidney Association Renal Support Centre

The Irish Kidney Association Renal Support Centre has been in operation since 2000. The Centre, located in the grounds of Beaumont Hospital, just 100 metres walk from the main hospital entrance, is open all year round and provides free accommodation for all its residents, who include:

• Families of kidney patients from outside Dublin. It is available to all families no matter what Dublin hospital their family member is attending.
• Kidney patients who have to travel long distances to see their consultant as an outpatient may stay overnight.
• The Centre arranges a counselling service, as required, by outpatients and their families.
• Preference for accommodation is given to families of patients receiving transplants from deceased and living donors and families of the seriously ill.

FACILITIES
Ten en-suite bedrooms which can sleep up to four persons. All rooms are on ground floor level. All rooms have TV. All rooms are in direct contact to and from the hospital ward by telephone. Comfortable sittingroom/day room with satellite TV and video. Small library. Fully fitted kitchen where meals can be prepared by residents. Tea and coffee is provided for residents and guests. Laundry room with washing powder supplied. Ironing facilities are also available. Parking for overnight residents only. The Renal Support Centre is owned and funded by the Irish Kidney Association. Donations from residents and fundraising initiatives are most welcome.

The Centre is open to residents all year round. Day facilities are available Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm-4pm.

For further information contact:
IKA Renal Support Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9.
Telephone: 353-1-837 3952. Email: renalcentre@ika. ie