What is the best physical exercise for a person having kidney disease?

Practicing some cardiovascular activities such as brisk walking, running, and cycling consistently helps you attain overall holistic health, including your physical and mental well-being. Working out regularly makes you feel better, gives a fresh start to your day, and even adds more years to your life. The benefits of exercise are hard to ignore; it strengthens your heart and blood circulation, pumps more oxygen in your body, and reduces your risk of developing high cholesterol problems. Exercise also cuts out mental illnesses by supplying more oxygen to the brain, which stimulates the production of happy hormones, such as serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin. These hormones promote positive feelings, love, peace, and happiness.

These are just bread crumbs of health benefits that you can attain through regular exercise and yoga. But people who are suffering from chronic kidney illness are often restricted from performing physical activities as it increases the blood pressure level of their body, which can make them thirsty. People suffering from chronic kidney diseases are restricted to drink a limited amount of water depending on how much kidney functioning they are left with.

Kidney problems equally happen to anyone people of all ages, sex, and races. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it should interfere with your fitness regime. If you’re having any kidney dysfunction, but don’t want to compromise over your fitness schedule, this article is for you.

How much exercise should you do?

Exercise is usually a good thing to do, but remember that your kidneys are not working well as they should, and doing strenuous physical activities can affect your kidneys’ functioning. You start slowly with a pace you’re comfortable with every day. Try aerobic and flexibility exercises for 5 to 10 minutes each day. You can also try some yoga asanas, which are also proven effective in enhancing kidneys’ functioning. A combination of yoga, normal walk, and stretching will not let you lose your interest and will also improve your health if practiced regularly.

How to stay safe while exercising?

First, always listen to your body when exercising. Maintaining consistency at a slow pace is healthier than not exercising at all. But, also, if you feel any discomfort in your health, then stop what you’re doing and consult the doctor. Here we’ve listed some physical exercise for a person having kidney disease which include the following-

• If you’re having joint pain or muscle cramps
• Vomiting and nausea
• If you’re feeling pain in your face and jaw
• If you have blurry vision
• If you’re having problems with speaking and swallowing.
• Having a sudden headache or feeling dizziness while exercising
• Feeling weak arms or legs
• Shortness of breath

Exercises for kidney patients to maintain a healthy weight, to gain strength and flexibility.

Aerobic workout

• Try walking at a slow pace but regularly for 10 minutes 5 days a week. Once your body gets adapted to it, then slowly increase the intensity from 10 to 15 or 20 minutes; that’s your call.
• After one month, increase your time to 30 minutes a day five times a week.

Thirty minutes of walking five times a day are the right amount of effort through which you can improve your health.

For gaining strength

Toe raises

• Stand straight while placing your hands on a counter or rail for support. Now slowly raise your heels up off the floor with a count to two.
• Then slowly lower your heels back to the floor. Repeat it 8 to 12 times.

Flexibility

For flexibility, you can try shoulder rotations. This will loosen and lengthen your muscles and joints.

Shoulder rotations

• You can stand or sit on a chair straight. Now move your right shoulder forward in a circular motion for 15 to 30 seconds.
• Repeat the same movement with your left shoulder.

Disclaimer– Kidney dysfunction is a serious health problem which is required to be cured in time. it’s advised to not to make any changes in your diet or practice any sort of physical activities without the prescription of your doctor and renal dietitian. For further advice, you can use this helpline: +91-9821929797 number or visit www.karmaayurvedahospital.com.