If you’re undergoing a transplant, there are a number of things you can do to minimize your risk of rejection. These include reducing stress and taking sirolimus. You should also eat healthy food, get a regular amount of exercise, and stop smoking.
Eat Healthy Food
A kidney transplant is major surgery, and it is important to follow a nutritious diet to help avoid rejection. The diet will be tailored to your health needs, and the dietitian at the transplant center will help you find the right foods to eat.
Your diet should include protein. Foods like meat, fish, poultry, and legumes are all good sources of protein. Try to limit red meat to just one meal a week. You can also consume low-fat dairy products, such as milk and yogurt, to add calcium to your diet.
Kidney transplant patients are usually advised to drink 10-12 cups of fluids a day. Fruits, vegetables, and soups are good choices, but be careful about calorie-rich foods, such as iced tea. Also, be sure to get enough potassium.
The risk of heart disease is increased by high blood fat levels, and a healthy diet can help reduce this. Salt (sodium) can be found in many processed foods, such as canned vegetables, tomato juice, and buttermilk. In addition, sodium can increase your risk of high blood pressure, which is not good for someone with a kidney transplant.
Do exercise Regularly
Doing a little exercise on a daily basis may have health benefits, especially if you’re a transplant recipient. Exercise can help boost mood, improve your overall health, and control stress. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few tips.
For starters, it’s important to understand the difference between light and heavy lifting. You don’t want to put too much weight on your body, or you might end up with a hernia. To get the most out of your workout, you should start slowly and gradually build up your fitness levels. During the first month after surgery, you should avoid activities that could damage your healing wounds.
It’s also important to consider the fact that you should not be doing any of the exercise if you have a fever or any other medical condition that could compromise your health. Those with chronic conditions like diabetes should also exercise more judiciously.
If you do decide to take up the running or bike riding game, be sure to check your blood pressure and temperature before and after each session.
Take Sirolimus
Sirolimus is an anti-rejection drug that reduces the body’s natural immunity in kidney transplant patients. This decreases the risk of chronic rejection after the initial onset of acute rejection. It has several mechanisms that may be responsible for this benefit.
A recent study found sirolimus to be more effective than mycophenolate mofetil in reducing the risk of rejection. It also found better survival rates.
The randomized, open-label, 3-year study compared sirolimus and azathioprine therapy. In the sirolimus group, the median survival was 6.6 years. Compared with the group receiving mycophenolate mofetil, the sirolimus group had longer median survival, higher short-term survival, and lower death rates after the onset of acute rejection. Similarly, the sirolimus group had a 36% reduction in infection-related deaths over 10 years.
In addition to the study’s findings, the sirolimus group had fewer infections than the MMF group. These findings are consistent with the literature. Moreover, the sirolimus group had less incidence of cytomegalovirus infections, a life-threatening infection.
Stop Smoking
During kidney transplantation, cigarette smoking has been found to increase the risk of rejection. Smoking has also been linked to several other health conditions, including heart disease, respiratory problems, and even cancer. If you are a smoker, you can help to reduce your chances of transplant rejection by quitting.
To stop smoking, you should first make a plan. This can include telling your family and friends. You can also change your routine and try to get more exercise. A healthy diet is also important.
Another option is to talk with a health care provider about nicotine replacement therapies. These can be pills, gums, or patches. They work by suppressing cravings.
It is also recommended to seek counseling. There are several groups and websites that offer support. Some people find it helpful to speak with a “coach.”
The first step to stopping smoking is to set a quit date. Most relapses occur in the first week after quitting. Therefore, you should plan your quit date at least two weeks in advance.
You should also think about your previous quit attempts and what worked for you. This can help you prepare for what you will need during the first weeks.
Maintain blood pressure level
It is well known that maintaining healthy blood pressure is an important task that everyone should undertake. This is especially true for transplant recipients, which are already on multiple medications. A well-controlled blood pressure can help slow the progression of CKD, which can lead to a longer and healthier life for all involved.
The name of the game is obvious: to reduce the risk of rejection, you need to keep your blood pressure in check. In the end, the best way to achieve this is by following a no-added-salt diet and getting enough exercise to keep your heart and arteries in tip-top shape. If you aren’t a fan of taking pills, there are other ways to lower your blood pressure.
For example, if you are overweight and your BP is high, it may be time to consider losing weight. You can also get help tracking your blood pressure with the aid of a mobile app.
There is a lot to know about lowering your BP, including what type of antihypertensive drug to take, when to schedule an appointment with your doctor, and how to eat properly. A no-added-salt diet and regular exercise will help you live a longer and healthier life.
Get vaccinated
If you are awaiting an organ transplant or will be receiving a transplant shortly, it is crucial that you get vaccinated. Vaccines protect against several diseases, including pneumonia and shingles. Not only can they help you avoid serious illness, but they can also improve your chances of surviving a transplant.
The SARS-CoV-2 vaccine has been effective in protecting against the disease, and researchers have found that two doses of it provide some protection for solid organ transplant recipients. However, the benefit of vaccination isn’t as great in immunocompromised people as it is in healthy individuals.
Several factors may reduce the immune response to a vaccine. These factors include having a weakened immune system and taking certain types of immunosuppressive medications. In addition, vaccines may not prevent certain germs.
In an effort to protect those with weakened immune systems, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) published a Clinical Practice Guideline in 2013. This recommendation is based on consensus and expert opinion. It outlines vaccine recommendations for people with a weakened immune system.
Reduce stress
Managing stress can be a daunting task especially when you’re on the road to recovery. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the stress that plagues you while on the road to recovery. The best way to accomplish this is to learn more about your health condition and the treatments available to you. While you’re at it, you might even consider joining a support group if your social circle isn’t large enough to fill the bill.
One of the best ways to learn more about your condition is to engage with a knowledgeable medical professional. This can be a challenge when you’re in the thick of things, but it’s not impossible. For example, a doctor may be able to point you in the direction of an online support group or other patient resources. Similarly, the medical staff at your local hospital will be more than happy to discuss the ins and outs of your medical condition. If you are lucky, your doctor will even be able to suggest a treatment plan.
