What is good to eat for chronic renal failure?

Written by Pan Wu Shan
Nephrology
Updated on May 06, 2025
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Dietary aspects of chronic kidney failure should be divided into two parts. Firstly, for patients who have not reached the uremic phase and have not undergone dialysis, it is important to maintain a low-salt, low-fat, high-quality low-protein diet, limiting salt intake to no more than three grams per day and avoiding fried and greasy foods. Lower-quality proteins like beans, soybeans, mung beans, etc., should be consumed in smaller quantities. Instead, more animal proteins should be consumed, such as lean meats, eggs, and milk. Once patients have entered the uremic phase and have started dialysis, a low-salt, low-fat, high-quality high-protein diet is necessary, as dialysis requires a significant amount of energy. Additionally, it is crucial to restrict fluid intake; consuming too much salt or water can easily lead to generalized edema and cardiovascular complications.

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What are the symptoms of chronic kidney failure?

Chronic kidney failure generally may have some clinical symptoms, but many patients do not have any discomfort. Some common clinical symptoms mainly include increased urine foam and decreased urine output. Due to the decline in renal function for urine excretion, it can lead to edema, particularly in areas such as both ankles and the face. In the state of renal failure, patients may also experience hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. Due to metabolic acidosis, patients might exhibit deep and labored breathing. In the advanced stages of kidney failure, patients may suffer from renal anemia, leading to fatigue and potentially experiencing bone pain and susceptibility to fractures due to renal osteodystrophy.

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Principles of Treatment for Chronic Renal Failure

The principles of treatment for chronic renal failure include early-stage non-dialysis conservative treatment as well as end-stage renal replacement therapy. Non-dialysis conservative treatment includes delaying the progression of kidney damage, which requires treating the primary disease, implementing nutritional support, and controlling factors that accelerate kidney disease progression, such as controlling high blood pressure, proteinuria, and hyperlipidemia. Additionally, it is necessary to eliminate metabolic waste from the body, and maintain the body's water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance. Renal replacement therapy includes hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplant therapy.

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Can chronic renal failure reproduce?

Patients with chronic renal failure, if they are male, can attempt to conceive under the guidance of a clinic doctor after discontinuing the use of medications that affect fertility; usually, there are no major issues for male patients. However, for female patients, attempting to get pregnant carries a significant risk because pregnancy increases the burden on all organs, including the kidneys, which can exacerbate kidney diseases, especially in cases like lupus nephritis. Nevertheless, not all patients with chronic renal failure are absolutely unable to conceive; some have successfully managed the risks associated with pregnancy. In such cases, it is necessary to weigh the pros and cons.

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What should I do about coughing caused by chronic kidney failure?

Patients with chronic renal failure who experience coughing should first analyze whether it is caused by an infection. In such cases, routine blood tests and chest CT scans are needed to confirm whether there are any infectious lesions in the lungs. Additionally, it should be checked whether the patient has systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, or other conditions, as these diseases can affect the lungs and cause pulmonary lesions leading to coughing. Therefore, treatment should be targeted based on the cause. If the cough is due to an infection, antibiotics are required, but the dosage must be adjusted according to the patient's kidney function. If the cough is due to pulmonary changes caused by a systemic disease, targeted treatment for the systemic disease is needed.

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Chronic Renal Failure Clinical Manifestations

Patients with chronic renal failure may exhibit fatigue, which is mainly due to anemia. Patients with stage three or higher chronic renal failure generally have anemia, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, palpitations, and pallor. Additionally, patients may experience nausea and vomiting, which are primarily caused by an increase in toxins. Furthermore, patients may also exhibit symptoms such as edema and shortness of breath, as individuals with chronic renal failure typically experience reduced urine output. A higher intake than output over time can lead to an increased circulating blood volume, resulting in heart failure.