Physical activity and exercise are very important parts of caring for children with kidney disease. While there may be some specific limitations, according to the individual diagnosis or other medical problems, daily exercise as tolerated should be encouraged to promote healthy heart action. Heart disease is a major complication of kidney disease, contributing to about half of all deaths of patients on dialysis. Habits developed in childhood are more likely to persist in adulthood. Walking, swimming, bike riding, bowling or soccer for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week are good examples of heart-healthy exercise.
Daily walks can be a fun and healthy family activity.
Talk with your child's doctor about how to develop a suitable exercise program. I turned to the experts for advice on how to tell your child. I consider parents of children with kidney problems to be both the heroes and the experts. It is among this group of parents with whom I work that I have met some of the most courageous and admirable individuals. Brittany, now age 12, was born with only one kidney, which did not develop well.