What is Kidney Failure?
When the loss of kidney function leads to the build up of impurities in the blood stream. Loss of kidney function tends to worsen over a period of years and may eventually lead to renal failure or End Stage Renal Disease (ERSD). ERSD can be treated by dialysis or kidney transplant.

What is Hemodialysis?
Dialysis is the removal of body wastes and water from the blood. During hemodialysis, the waste and water removal process takes place inside of a machine. This type of treatment is suitable for most people with kidney failure. The blood is taken from the body and pumped into a dialysis machine. The machine cleans the blood and pumps it back into the body. In most cases, hemodialysis sessions are necessary three times per week with each session lasting three to five hours.

Prior to beginning hemodialysis, an access will need to be created to connect you to the dialyzer. This permanent access is surgically created in your arm or thigh. There are two types of permanent access- a fistula and a graft.

Fistula- A fistula is the surgical linking of an artery to a vein that provides access to the blood vessels.

Graft- A graft is a tube that is surgically placed under the skin. It links an artery to a vein.

Is diet important to a patient with kidney failure?
If you have been diagnosed with ERSD, it may be necessary to alter your diet. At the beginning of your dialysis treatment, Lakeland Dialysis’ Registered Dietitian will meet with you to discuss how your dietary needs may have changed and design a customized meal plan to fit your needs.

Upon diagnosis, patients will receive a pamphlet that outlines the basis guidelines for managing their diet. This pamphlet provides information on what foods are best for maintaining kidney function and which foods should be limited. Our Registered Dietitian is available to address any questions or concerns about your nutrition.

Lakeland dialysis’ registered dietitians work one-on-one with patients and their loved ones to develop a personalized eating plan that includes the patient’s favorite foods. Patients receive a nutrition progress report each month that reflects each patients eating habits and identifies areas that may need attention.

What are some tips for getting started on my renal diet?

Salt should NOT be added to your food. Using fresh herbs and non-salt spices are a good way to add flavor to foods. Good choices include: Mrs. Dash^®, onion or garlic powder, lemon and vinegar. Avoid salt substitutes- they’re loaded with potassium.
Limit fluids to four cups or 32 ounces per day, until instructed otherwise by your Renal Dietitian. Fluids like water, coffee, tea, lemonade, cranberry juice, and clear carbonated beverages are ok to use – just be aware of your limits. Remember foods that melt at room temperature (like ice cream and ice cubes) are also considered a fluid. Fruits and vegetables also have a high water content, so be sure to deduct ½ cup of fluids per serving.
* Fluid is an important nutrient, so be sure not to omit it entirely from your diet.
Be sure to include two to three servings of high quality protein foods daily, such as lean meat, fish, poultry and eggs. A serving is considered three ounces. Avoid processed cheeses (Velveeta, American) and salted, canned and cured meats like Spam. Rinse canned tuna under running water for two minutes to help reduce sodium.
Limit milk, yogurt, ice cream and sherbert to just one half-cup serving daily. You can use nondairy creamers such as Coffee Rich or Mocha Mix (limit one cup per day)
Avoid nuts, peanut butter, dried beans, seeds and lentils. These foods are high in potassium and phosphorus and they make more waste products in the blood.
Limit vegetables to two servings each day. A serving is ½ cup cooked or 1 cup tossed salad.
Choose no more than three fruit servings each day. A serving is ½ cup or one piece of medium-sized fresh fruit.
Regular margarine, mayonnaise and oils for cooking can be used librally. You can also use honey and syrup for added energy and calories (unless you are diabetic).
For energy, eat freely from white breads, tortillas, cereal, pasta, white rice and non-salted crackers.
If you are diabetic, be sure to continue to eat your meals and snacks at regular times and to avoid concentrated sweets. For insulin reactions do not use orange juice – it is high in potassium! A better choice would be apple or cranberry juices.

Why should I limit fluids?
Preventing fluid from building up in your body is key to controlling blood pressure. Having too much fluid in the body can lead to shortness of breath, strain on the heart and uncomfortable swelling. Hemodialysis patients are generally directed to limit fluid intake to one quart (or 32 ounces) of fluid daily.

Remember, anything that is liquid at room temperature or digest in the body as fluid is considered part of your daily fluid allowance. Some common fluids include: coffee, juice, tea, milk, soda, broth, Jell-O, sherbert, ice creams, ice or puddings.

What about high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is common in people who suffer from kidney failure and can increase the likelihood of a stroke or heart attack. Dialysis patients need to work especially hard at controlling high blood pressure. High blood pressure can be controlled by limiting fluid intake and following a low-sodium diet. Your doctor may also prescribe medication that can control your high blood pressure. It is important to take this medication exactly as directed.

Other tips for controlling blood pressure:

Limit salt intake
Exercise regularly
Avoid alcohol and tobacco
Lose weight, if needed

Is Anemia linked to kidney failure?
Many dialysis patients may develop anemia. Anemia is a significant decrease in the number of red blood cells in the body. If you experience any of the following symptoms, report them to your physician or dialysis nurse:

pale skin tone, nail beds or the area around your mouth
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
weakness
fatigue
active bleeding of the gums, nose, bladder, bowel, vagina or at the site of an invasive procedure
changes in activities of daily living: work, leisure or self care

Anemia can be treated - talk to your physician about the proper treatment plans and supplements.

Can I plan a trip or vacation during dialysis treatments?
If you need to travel at any time, Lakeland Dialysis’ social work department can help arrange dialysis treatments at your destination. Ask your nurse or dialysis technician for a Patient Transient Form. Fill out the form and return it to the social work department as soon as possible. Please note that in order for us to help you receive transient dialysis services at least four weeks notice is required.

How do I get my medications when I am out of town?
Let your physician know if you will be needing a prescription refill before traveling out of town. Before you go on a trip stop by your pharmacy to have your prescriptions refilled. Many national chain pharmacies such as Walgreens or RiteAid have a nationwide refill service. If you fill your prescription at one of those chains locally, you should be able to visit any store nationwide and get your refills.

Who is available to answer my questions?
If you have questions or concerns, you can contact Lakeland Dialysis toll free at 800-968-0115 extension 7474.

You can also reach our Renal Social Worker during business hours – between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. eastern time at (269) 428-7473 or our Renal Dietitian at (269) 428-7493.

For after hours services, call 800-968-0115 and ask the operator to page the on-call nurse. You can leave your contact information with the operator and the on-call nurse will return your call.

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