Kidney failure and its treatment will mean changes in your daily life. Whatever changes you need to make, your health care team can help you with them.

You may wonder how your treatment will fit into the rest of your life. But with some changes, you can live a full life with kidney failure. If you work, talk with your employer about any changes you need to make in your duties or schedule. You may find that your energy levels go up and down. And you may notice new physical problems. If you aren't able to do your daily activities as before, your health care provider may suggest treatments. Or they may send you to physical therapy.

• Any treatment you have will put some limits on what you eat and drink. A dietitian will work with you. They will help you understand these. You may need to stay away from foods that are high in salt, potassium, or phosphorus.
• Treatment means taking medicines. Some of these you need to take one or more times a day. Others are given to you during treatment or doctor visits. Have a list of the medicines you take. Show it to any doctors you visit. Also check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine that is not on the list. This includes aspirin. Many medicines are eliminated or processed by the kidneys. Your dosage may have to be adjusted by your doctor or pharmacist. Other medicines may harm your kidneys, and you may not be allowed to take them. This includes I.V. (intravenous) dye injected during some body scans.

You can make choices about your lifestyle that will help your treatment work better. Exercise may reduce your treatment's side effects. It can also help you control your weight and blood pressure. Ask your health care team which types of exercise are good for you.

If you smoke, vape, or use other tobacco or nicotine products, it's important to quit. These activities narrow (constrict) blood vessels and cause infections. These are both dangerous to people with kidney failure. Talk with your health care team about quitting.

If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, it's important to control your sugar levels and blood pressure as directed by your doctor. Keep your weight in a normal range for your body. And keep your cholesterol levels controlled too.

Always wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. Carry a list of your medicines and your doctors in your wallet or on your phone. Have your partner or a close family member do the same.

With the right treatment, you should start to feel better. If you follow all the guidelines you are given and still don't feel well, tell your doctor. Some changes may need to be made in your treatment. You will need regular checkups with your doctor.

Circle the statements below that are true for you. For each statement you don't circle, ask a doctor to help you learn what you need to know:

• I have a list of all the medicines that I take.
• I know who to talk to when I need extra help or support.
• I know which foods I should eat. I also know how much I should eat.
• I have talked with a doctor about exercise.
• I have names and numbers for all my doctors.
• I know what my insurance covers and what it doesn't.