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KIDNEY DISEASE: Working (out) Through Dialysis

Is pumping iron the key to successful dialysis?

BY:MYRA DEMBROW

Exercise could be the key to improving your attitude and overall health during often-boring dialysis.

 

Many people with end-stage renal disease have weakened and atrophied muscles, which is often associated with premature death. But Australian researchers designed an exercise routine using dumbbells and ankle weights that patients could perform while seated in a dialysis chair. Patients who performed high-intensity weightlifting exercises during their dialysis sessions rebuilt muscles and regained lost strength, according to the associated study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

 

“Exercise was carried out safely within the hemodialysis sessions without any interference with routine care and no need to change dialysis procedures,” says lead author Bobby Cheema, MSc, a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney School of Exercise and Sports Medicine.

 

Patients who worked out during thrice-weekly dialysis sessions showed improved muscle mass, muscle strength and quality of life compared with patients who did not, leading the researchers to recommend exercise be added routinely to treatment at dialysis centers.

 

Comments

dialysis

On November 12th, 2007 worried Tina says:

Hi, I am very worried about my mother getting on dialysis, especially since I don't believe she's even understanding what will be going on in the near future and quite often. I don't know if I want her to accept the care for this or just let nature take it's course. I just don't want to see her in pain and I don't want her to feel terrible day after day. It 's already making me feel very sad for her , as a matter of fact it's bringing me to tears now just thinking of what kind of life she will be facing once on dialysis. I haven't really heard alot of unhappy situations but the little that I have is just eating me up. I'm really just looking for some ideals and comfort.
Please help,
Worried Tina

To Tina re Dialysis

On November 12th, 2007 mlichter says:

Dear Tina--I can't advise you as to whether to have your mother start dialysis or not. That is for you, your mom and the doctors to decide. But please, sit with the doctors and discuss your concerns. Talk to the nurses at the dialysis facility and get their take on how it might affect your mom.

The problem is, whether her mind is fully functional or not, it is possible to get her body working much better (which could help her mental state), whether it be through dialysis or treatments for other problems. Think about discussions you might have had with your mother before her mental state started to slip. Do those discussions offer any hints as to how she might have wanted you to handle a situation like this?

Do you have siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins or other family who might be able to assist you in making this decision, even if it's just to be able to talk with them and vent your concerns? Is there a clergyperson with whom you have sought comfort and with whom you'd be comfortable discussing your concerns? I don't mean to make it seem as if you have to take on more tasks before making your decision for your mom. But the decision you are considering can be irreversible, so please talk with whomever you can to get the help you need.

Your concern demonstrates what a loving daughter you are. Please keep that in the forefront of your mind. You are doing what you can with what you have out of love. No one can ask for more than that. Good luck to you and your mother.

dialysis even when kidney is working

On December 14th, 2007 ambreen.lodhi says:

Hi i am bit worried because of my father he had kidney transplant 7 years ago now his kidney is going towards rejection his kidney tests are not normal like uria etc Doctors are saying that he may need dialysis to make kidney tests normal i juz want to ask what happened with the kidney is it still working after dialysis

Please help,
Thank you.
Ambreen Lodhi