Welcome to My Renal Nutrition!
Vitaflo™ has developed this website for children who have kidney disease and their families to provide basic information on the nutrition management of kidney disease. The information displayed on this website is for general information only and must not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
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Interesting Fact:
Most people have 2 kidneys however some people are born with only 1 kidney.
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Interesting Fact:
Healthy kidneys filter about 48 gallons of blood every day.
What is kidney disease?
If the kidneys are not working as well as they should, this can lead to kidney disease. There are two types of kidney disease:
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
AKI happens suddenly when the kidneys do not work well because of an illness, especially if the person has been vomiting or having diarrhea for several days. AKI can also happen because of a blockage in or around the kidney or because of an accident that has damaged the kidney. In some cases, children may need to stay in the hospital and receive medical care to get better. Usually, the kidneys recover, and children get well after a few days or weeks.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
CKD happens over a longer period of time and happens in stages. There are 5 stages (1-5). The last stage (stage 5) is when the kidneys can no longer do their job. Medical treatments like dialysis or a kidney transplant may be needed. There are many reasons why children may have CKD. Some are born with kidney problems and others have kidney problems later in childhood.
Interesting Fact:
Dialysis uses special equipment or a machine to help do the job of the kidneys. Dialysis helps to remove waste and excess water out of the body.
What are the symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease?
Symptoms are clues that your body gives you that something is not right. Kidney disease can affect all the amazing jobs that the kidneys do. In stages 1-2 of CKD, there are usually no symptoms. In stages 3-5 of CKD, the symptoms can include:
What can be done to help kids with CKD?
Kids with CKD get lots of care and help from doctors, nurses and dietitians. They know a lot about the kidneys and how to help kids get better. Doctors have special medicines to give you and the dietitian will help you eat the right foods and drinks to keep you strong and growing. They also have lots of tools to help you feel better, like a machine that can do the job of the kidneys (that's called dialysis). They can even help you get a new kidney (that's called a kidney transplant)!
