Tag: Lifestyle Changes

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Key To Change Yourself Better Is Leaning From Your Mistakes

Written 6/26/2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Sometimes, taking care of our bodies means working toward improving small things. Recently, I had the experience of getting a disappointing lab result, which turned out to be because I was too dehydrated. I now make sure every day that I drink 1.5 – 2.0 liters of water, which is the recommended intake for my body.

Before my kidney failure, I ignored how much I drank or anything like that. When you get hit with trauma such as a brain stroke, you start to wonder what you have been doing all wrong. Well, there are no benefits in crying about my past. All I had to do was make changes to my lifestyle to sustain my kidneys’ health. It is a trial-and-error process. It is a long process, as sometimes you do not see the results as fast as you want.

After the last lab experience, this will not happen to me again. The level of activities or external environmental factors such as weather can drastically impact your body. Sometimes, I need to adjust the amount of water I am drinking.

Making this little change into a habit is tricky. For example, I started mowing the lawn but needed to remember to take some water. It never occurred to me to bring a water bottle when I did a few hours of mowing. Interestingly, we are all cursed with habit no matter how much we try to change our past behaviors. Now, I know I have to keep hydrating. So, I stopped mowing, got water, and resumed rather than just pushing through without water.

It’s important to reinforce this good decision. Even small steps are worth taking and celebrating if they’re in the right direction. Making sure to stay hydrated is just one of those small steps that can have a big impact on overall health.

I’ve learned through this journey that maintaining health requires continuous effort and adaptation. It’s about listening to your body and making adjustments as needed. Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in daily routines and forget the essentials, like drinking enough water. But we can significantly improve our health by being mindful and making small, consistent changes.

For anyone dealing with similar issues, remember that it’s okay to make mistakes. The important thing is you will learn from them. It’s part of the process. The key is to keep trying and not give up. Every small change adds up over time, leading to better health and well-being.

It is crucial to take care of our bodies by making small improvements, like staying properly hydrated. My experience has taught me the importance of paying attention to my body’s needs and making necessary adjustments. It’s a journey of trial and error, but we can achieve a healthier lifestyle with persistence and mindfulness.

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I Improved My Kidney From Stage 5 to Stage 3

Written on July 7, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Reflecting on the strategies my wife and I implemented to improve my kidney health, I recalled a piece of simple yet profound advice: “If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.” For my kidney health, this meant addressing the issues causing harm. My primary problem was high blood pressure. A nephrologist explained its impact on kidneys by comparing it to spraying water through a paper filter at high pressure, which can tear the paper. Although kidney filtration involves more chemical processes, the tissues involved are delicate.

The hole was my blood pressure in my case. To manage my condition, we made some changes to my medications, selecting ones less harsh on my kidneys and organizing them in a medication box to ensure I wouldn’t forget a dose.

Our approach was threefold: medication, diet, and exercise. Regularly monitoring my blood pressure helped us evaluate the effectiveness of these methods and make necessary adjustments.

We worked with our doctor to adjust some of the medication I was taking after the brain stroke. Some of the medication I was taking was invasive to my kidney. 

Dietary adjustments were crucial. My wife, who usually uses minimal salt, helped reduce our sodium intake further. We also cut down on store-bought processed foods, opting for homemade meals. I needed to carefully monitor my intake of proteins and phosphorus, frequently consulting food lists to avoid them. Cheese and chocolate, which I love a lot, are also included. It is not that I cannot eat them completely, but I have to be mindful about eating them. Although this required some adjustments, it was more manageable than anticipated.

Exercise also played a significant role. After experiencing a brain stroke, my wife, a runner, encouraged me to take up running. She had recommended me before, but this time, she was very adamant about it. She loves digging into neuroscience books way before my stroke. She thought the key was some cardio that used my legs. This was in 2016.

Starting with just over a mile, I gradually increased my distance. We went to pick up a pair of good Nike running shoes that year. That was my first serious pair of running shoes. My wife said it was like a ritual. Surprisingly, the pair of good running shoes motivated me. I was surprised to find out how much shoes impact your running. I gradually increased my running, and now I can run 10km without problems. In the beginning, I did not initially enjoy running, but now I enjoy running. I grew to appreciate it as it aided my brain’s recovery.

When I suffered the brain stroke, I was diagnosed with stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease, indicating severe damage with almost no kidney function remaining, necessitating my addition to the transplant list and starting peritoneal dialysis. However, nearly a decade later, with persistent efforts and lifestyle changes, my condition has improved to stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease, and I am no longer on the transplant list. This journey has taught me that kidney health can be restored with dedication.

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The Silver Lining: Finding Positivity After a Stroke

Written on January 9, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

I would never have willingly chosen to experience a stroke. Yet, it’s undeniable that not all outcomes from this ordeal were adverse. My journey through stroke recovery has led to several unexpected improvements in my life.

Before the stroke, I was battling clinical depression, a heavy and constant companion. However, post-recovery, this burden has significantly lifted. While I can’t attribute this change solely to the stroke, it certainly acted as a catalyst for many other transformations that have helped alleviate my depression.

Dealing with hypertension or kidney issues necessitates a careful consideration of diet. In my case, meat consumption is minimal, and dining out has become a rarity. Fast food is almost entirely off the menu. My wife, believing in the power of physical activity to aid brain health, encouraged me to start running—a practice I had never engaged seriously in before my stroke.

This health scare has revolutionized my approach to exercise, diet, and sleep—critical components of a lifestyle that combats depression. Although these changes were initially made to address my stroke and kidney disease, they have had the added benefit of improving my mental health. The irony is not lost on me. At the same time, I had struggled to implement these lifestyle changes to combat depression directly; the stroke forced my hand, leading to a healthier way of living that inadvertently addressed my mental health issues.

Admittedly, adopting an optimistic outlook does not come naturally to me. Yet, I find myself grateful for having overcome depression, despite wishing that it hadn’t required enduring a stroke and kidney failure to achieve this victory. Since I can’t alter the past, I’ve chosen to focus on appreciating what I have now instead of mourning what was lost.

This journey has taught me that within the heart of adversity lies potential for growth and healing. While the path to recovery was neither chosen nor easy, the resultant shift in my lifestyle and perspective has significantly improved my overall well-being. It’s a poignant reminder that the most profound changes sometimes come from unexpected places.