Today’s Kidney Diet Cookbooks
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Today’s Kidney Diet Cookbooks
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Register for FreeAs a parent, you watch your teenager go through exciting and confusing times—from getting their driver’s license to choosing which college he or she wants to attend. So when your teenager learns he or she has chronic kidney disease (CKD), it can become an unexpected challenge in your family.
The two most frequent causes for adults to develop CKD are hypertension and diabetes. In teens these causes are uncommon. However, due to unhealthy eating habits leading to excessive weight gain, more young people are prone to these diseases.
For most teens, CKD is caused by congenital disorders or diseases that develop, such as:
Consult your doctor if your teenager exhibits:
Dialysis cleans the blood and removes extra fluid when kidneys are no longer able to do this job.
Peritoneal dialysis (PD), home hemodialysis (HHD), in-center hemodialysis and in-center nocturnal dialysis treatments can be discussed with your teen’s physician. Many teenagers may also be candidates for a kidney transplant. A treatment choice is dependent on your teen’s health and lifestyle needs, as well as how your family feels about the treatment requirements.
Many teenagers who need dialysis may be candidates for a renal (kidney) transplant. Kidney transplant is an option that provides a more “normal” life for your teen, because he or she will not need to spend time on dialysis. A kidney can come from a living donor — usually a healthy family member or close friend — or someone who has recently passed away, but it must be a match to your teenager’s body to prevent organ rejection. Immunosuppressant medication will be prescribed so that the new kidney is not rejected.
You may be wondering how your teenager’s lifestyle will change after learning they have kidney disease. Many teens lead a relatively normal life.
Talk to their doctor about whether or not they can continue to do certain activities, such as playing their favorite sport. Strength training of some type could be an option, too. Overall, consider exercise as a way for your teenager to lead a healthy lifestyle.
There are many online resources for your teen to reach out to other teenagers with kidney disease. Many times acceptance into particular groups is what teenagers value most. Perhaps ask your teenager’s healthcare team about summer camps in your area dedicated to teenagers with kidney disease.
Sexual change may move slowly for teens with kidney disease, especially those on dialysis. Teenaged girls can experience irregular periods or go without getting one at all. You may want to talk to your teen’s doctor if their sexual development has been affected.
Emotions change a lot, too. Teenagers already go through the usual hormonal changes. And when CKD is added, stress, anger and fear can arise. If you, your teenager or anyone else within your household are upset, consider addressing such issues. Talk to your child’s doctor and social worker about how to approach open communication with your teenager.
Teenagers can maintain a normal life by being treated as a teenager first and a teenager with CKD second. The transition may be tough so it’s important to sustain open lines of communication between you, your teen and your teen’s healthcare team.