Kidney care, followed through — from OPD to dialysis to transplant.

Nutrition · CKD

Kidney Diet: Healthy Eating Tips for Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease

Diet is one of the most powerful tools for slowing the progression of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). What you eat directly affects how hard your kidneys have to work, and the right choices can help control blood pressure, reduce fluid buildup, and delay the need for dialysis.

Four nutrients to watch closely

• Sodium: Excess salt raises blood pressure and causes fluid retention. Aim to cook fresh rather than relying on packaged or restaurant food, and rinse canned vegetables before eating.
• Potassium: As kidney function declines, potassium can build up in the blood and affect the heart. Bananas, oranges, potatoes, and tomatoes are common high-potassium foods that may need portion control.
• Phosphorus: Found in dairy, nuts, and processed foods, high phosphorus levels over time can weaken bones. Read ingredient labels for "phos" additives.
• Protein: Needs vary by CKD stage — too much protein can strain the kidneys, while too little can cause muscle loss. This is highly individual and should be guided by your nephrologist or renal dietitian.

Practical everyday tips

• Leach high-potassium vegetables by peeling, chopping, and boiling them in a large volume of water before final cooking.
• Choose fresh herbs and spices instead of salt-based seasoning blends.
• Keep portion sizes moderate and consistent at each meal rather than large infrequent meals.
• In later CKD stages, your doctor may also guide fluid intake — don't restrict fluids on your own without medical advice.

Every patient's CKD stage, lab values, and comorbidities are different, so a diet plan that works for one person may not suit another.

Treatment · Dialysis

Understanding Dialysis: A Patient’s Guide

When kidneys lose most of their function — usually below 15% — the body can no longer clear waste and excess fluid on its own. Dialysis takes over this job artificially, filtering the blood to keep the body in balance until a transplant is possible, or as an ongoing treatment.

The three main types

• Hemodialysis (HD): Blood is filtered outside the body through a dialysis machine, usually 3–4 hours per session, 3 times a week, either at a dialysis centre or hospital.
• Peritoneal Dialysis (PD): Uses the lining of your own abdomen (the peritoneum) as a natural filter. A cleansing fluid is exchanged through a catheter, often done at home, giving more flexibility for daily routine.
• CRRT (Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy): A slower, continuous form of dialysis used specifically for critically ill patients in the ICU whose blood pressure can't tolerate standard hemodialysis.

What to expect at the first session

Before starting hemodialysis, a vascular access point (fistula, graft, or catheter) is created, usually in the arm. For peritoneal dialysis, a soft catheter is placed in the abdomen a few weeks in advance. The first few sessions are closely monitored to see how your body responds, and your care team will adjust the treatment plan based on your labs and symptoms.

Choosing the right modality

There's no single "best" option — the right choice depends on your lifestyle, other health conditions, home support, and personal preference. This decision is best made together with your nephrologist well before dialysis becomes urgent, so there's time to prepare access and understand what daily life on dialysis will look like.