Are you someone with chronic kidney disease? Are you having trouble with your bowel movement? Is constipation a problem for you?

You are not alone. Constipation is highly prevalent among patients with chronic Kidney disease.

In this blog we will guide you on how to manage your digestive health during Kidney Failure.

Before we understand the link between kidney failure and digestive health, let’s do a quick recap of what kidney failure is.

What is Kidney Failure?

When one or both of your kidneys stop functioning well, that condition is called Kidney Failure or Renal Failure.

It can be Acute Kidney Failure or Chronic Kidney Failure.

If it develops quickly and is temporary, then it is Acute Kidney Failure. Chronic Kidney failure is long term and it gets worse over time.

Kidney Failure and Digestive Health

Your kidneys’ function is connected to various other functions of your body. Therefore when it fails, it is normal that various other body systems, including your digestive system, get disrupted.

When kidney failure happens, following are some of the disruption that occurs to your digestive system :

• Kidneys play a major role in balancing electrolytes in your body. During kidney failure, the level of potassium, sodium, and phosphorus become high. These can cause nausea, vomiting or change in your bowel habits.

• When your kidneys fail, excessive fluid builds up in your body which will lead to oedema. This can also affect your digestive system and can cause bloating, abdominal discomfort, change in bowel movement etc. This can later lead to constipation.

• When a kidney fails, it affects the filtering of waste and toxins. And when these toxins buildup in your body it affects various organs including the digestive system. This can cause loss of appetite, distress in your digestive system,or sometimes ulcers.

• Some medicines for kidney failure can cause constipation, diarrhoea or any other digestive problems.

Kidney Failure and Constipation

There are many reasons for constipation in people with Chronic Kidney Disease or kidney failure :

• When kidney failure happens, electrolytes in your body are imbalanced. The level of sodium, potassium, phosphorus etc increases. It can affect your various organs including gastrointestinal tract. Your normal bowel movements will be affected, i.e. it might slow down. This can later lead to constipation.

• Some medicines that people with Chronic Kidney Disease can give constipation as a side effect. Pain relieving medicines, iron supplements or certain other medications which are used to manage kidney disease can also upset your bowel movements.

• When facing kidney failure, your physical activities might be very less. This lack of movement can affect your digestive process which can later lead to constipation.

• Your diet during kidney failure (renal diet) leaves you with very limited food choices. Sometimes enough fibre rich food is not included in this diet. This can cause constipation.

• Kidney disease causes you other health conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia etc. This can slow down your digestive system, which can lead to constipation.

• When your kidneys fail, they fail to filter bacteria. This causes a bacterial imbalance in your stomach. This is called Dysbiosis. This results in constipation.

• If you have Chronic Kidney Disease, your fluid intake might be restricted sometimes, especially if you are undergoing dialysis. This can cause constipation since there is not enough hydration.

Managing Digestive Health

Managing constipation and digestive health during kidney failure depends on several factors. You have to find a balance between managing the health of your kidney and addressing constipation. It requires a comprehensive and personalised approach.

For this, you have to talk with your doctors and dieticians, since they can provide you professional opinion, by receiving your health condition.

Do you want to manage digestive health and constipation during kidney failure? Well, here are some methods you can follow :

• Eat more fiber rich food: Fiber is one of the best solutions for your constipation. It makes your digestive process smoother and it helps to carry waste through your system. Does your diet include nuts, lentils, beans, oats, vegetables, whole grains, apples, pears etc? If not, include it since they are rich in fibre. Consult with a doctor and dietician and develop a balanced diet menu for you.

• Drink more water : Drinking a lot of water helps to soften your stools and manage constipation. But try not to overload your kidneys. If you have Chronic Kidney Disease, talk with your doctors and review your condition. He/ she will prescribe you the amount of fluid your body requires.

• Increase your physical activity : When you are involved in a physical activity or exercise, it helps the food to move through your digestive system. This will help you deal with constipation. Make sure to talk with your doctor since you would not want to cross the limits of your current health condition.

• Supplements and laxatives : If you are still troubled by constipation, even after consuming enough fibre and fluids, you can consider supplements and laxatives. This includes stool softeners, stimulant laxatives and fibre supplements. It will facilitate your bowel movement. But you should consult with your doctor before going for this method and you should not take these medications for longer than a few days.

• Probiotics are another way to go. They are live microorganisms which are found in fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, miso, kimchi, tempeh, natto, pickles made at your home, etc. They can help you relieve constipation. Consult your doctor to know the correct amount of these foods to be included in your diet.

• Your doctor can prescribe you medicines to help you deal with digestion issues.

• Biofeedback therapy can help you to retrain your muscles which controls your bowel movements.

• Sometimes doctors will suggest a surgery inorder to remove the blockage in part of your colon.

• If you have a regular bowel routine and bathroom breaks, it would be helpful to an extent.

• Stress can worsen your constipation. So implement some relaxation techniques.

• You should regularly monitor your bowel movements and discuss it with your doctor, if there is any concern. He/She will guide you and help you come up with a plan for you.