Living with kidney disease: how to stay fit through exercise
Physical fitness improves brain health, helps us manage our weight, lowers disease risks, strengthens muscle and bone, and improves our ability to perform daily activities.
Regular exercise keeps us strong and healthy. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults who sit less and participate in moderate-to-vigorous physical activities have a healthy advantage over those who do not.
A sedentary lifestyle is a common risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). That's because a lack of physical activity can result in any number of health complications, from obesity and high blood pressure to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which are all conditions that can lead to kidney damage.
Regular exercise, on the other hand, has been shown to have numerous benefits for kidney health, including reducing the risk of developing kidney disease, improving kidney function, and enhancing the quality of life for people with kidney disease.
The benefits of exercise for kidney health
There are numerous benefits associated with physical activity, and the correlation between exercise and kidney disease is widely known.
Exercise can help to reduce blood pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the leading causes of kidney disease.
High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, reducing their ability to filter waste products from the blood.
By lowering blood pressure, exercise can help to protect the kidneys from damage and reduce the risk of developing kidney disease.
Exercise can improve blood sugar control
Physical activity is essential for people with diabetes, a leading cause of kidney disease.
Regular physical activity can help to increase insulin sensitivity, which allows the body to use glucose more efficiently, reducing the risk of high blood sugar levels and the complications that can result, including kidney damage.
Exercise can improve cardiovascular function
Regular exercise helps to strengthen the heart and blood vessels, improving circulation and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The connection between exercise and cardiovascular function is significant for people with kidney disease, as they are at increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.
Exercise can improve your overall health
Regular exercise makes it easier to get around, perform daily tasks, and still have energy left over to enjoy life.
Here are some of the other benefits of regular physical activity:
Improved muscle function and strength
Reduced levels of blood fats such as triglycerides and cholesterol
Improved sleep
Better weight control
Does exercise help kidney function?
In addition to reducing the risk of developing kidney disease, exercise can improve kidney function in people with existing kidney problems.
Studies have shown that regular exercise can help to slow the progression of CKD and improve kidney function in people with early-stage kidney disease.
Exercise can also help combat fatigue, depression, and anxiety, which are common symptoms among people with kidney disease.
Kidney disease and exercise: should I consult my doctor?
If you have been diagnosed with kidney disease, you should talk to your nephrologist before starting a new exercise routine. That's because not all types of exercise are suitable for people with kidney disease.
High-impact activities such as running or jumping can be hard on your kidneys and may increase injury risks. Exercising with kidney disease should include low-impact activities such as cycling, walking, swimming, or yoga.
It is also essential that anyone with kidney disease starts slowly and gradually increases the intensity and duration of their exercise routine over time. That slow and steady approach will help you to avoid injury and allow your body to adapt to increased physical activity.
People with kidney disease should also remain hydrated and avoid overexertion, particularly in hot weather.
How much exercise should people with kidney disease do?
The best exercise for kidney health and the amount of physical activity you participate in will depend on your overall health, the severity of your kidney disease, and any other underlying health conditions you may have.
The American College of Sports Medicine generally recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week. That breaks down to about 30 minutes of exercise daily, five days a week.
For anyone diagnosed with kidney disease, it is essential to start slowly and gradually build up the duration and intensity of their exercise routine. For example, you may want to start with ten minutes of low-impact exercise daily and gradually increase the duration by five minutes each week until you reach a goal of 30 minutes per day.
You should also incorporate low-level strength training into your routine.
Strength training can help improve muscle function and strength, enhance balance and coordination, and reduce the risk of falls.
Exercising with kidney disease
Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health, particularly for people with kidney disease.
Exercise has numerous benefits for kidney health, including reducing the risk of developing kidney disease, improving kidney function, and enhancing the quality of life for people with chronic kidney disease.
However, before starting a new exercise routine, you must talk to your nephrologist to determine what exercises are safe and appropriate for your condition.
Remember to start slowly and gradually build up your exercise routine to avoid injury and allow your body to adapt to increased physical activity.
With the right approach, exercise can be essential to managing kidney disease and maintaining overall health and well-being.
If you have been diagnosed with kidney disease or are at risk of kidney disease and have questions regarding exercise, the team at Reset Kidney Health can help. We know from experience that early treatment for kidney disease and healthy lifestyle choices can save lives. With Reset, you can easily schedule appointments with our world-class kidney specialists to get the exceptional treatment you deserve from the comfort of your home.
