This booklet and the easy to follow recipes in it were developed for people who need to control the amount of potassium in their diet, particularly those with kidney disease or those requriing haemodialysis, who have been advised by their doctor to follow a low potassium diet.
Two national health organisations, SANE Australia and Kidney Health Australia have joined together to address the issue of mental health and kidney disease - 50% of Australians with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are affected by depression. To find out more go to www.sane.org/action/action/mind_and_body_initiative.html
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The first in a series on dealing with depression and anxiety when you have a chronic health condition. SANE’s new ‘Mind and Body’ Initiative aims to draw attention to the physical health needs of people with a mental illness . . . and the mental health needs of people with chronic physical health problems. In other words, encouraging treatment of the whole person.
The Guide looks at mental health problems, treatment options and includes case studies of people who have experienced CKD first hand and how it impacted on their lives. CKD can affect every area of life. Relationships, work, spiritual beliefs and how we socialise with other people may all be affected. This includes our mental health. Many people have times where they struggle to cope, and may become anxious or depressed.
Cost of booklets - $10 each (inc GST and postage)
Mental health problems may develop because:
- adapting to CKD is stressful - for the individual and family members
- we may feel our body and general situation are out of control, and there is nothing that we can do
- we feel lonely and isolated from family and friends
- sometimes it can be difficult to talk about the illness with those close to us - we don't want to worry or upset them.
People with CKD and those who care about and for them can have a range of emotional responses: shock, sadness, grief, fear, anger, frustration, feeling down, tense or alone, and sometimes many of these. Some losses may seem relatively trivial - like limiting social engagements or shifting housework to a partner - yet these can be important and may signal changes in relationships such as greater dependence. Many people also talk about a grieving for their previous health, abilities and their life before CKD. More>
- 34% of people with a chronic illness rate their quality of life as fair or poor and 61% experience depression
- Symptoms of depression are often unrecognised or confused with symptoms of other illnesses
- Mental illnesses are treatable and the vast majority recover well
- People living with chronic illness who have effective treatment for associated depression can improve control of their illness
- Three million Australians will experience a major depressive illness during their lifetime
- 17% of Australians (more than 3.5 million) experience depression or anxiety each year
Other Kidney Health Education Publications available free of charge
Indigenous Resources
Kidney Health Education Flipchart - Published in partnership with AMGEN, this Indigenous teaching resource has been developed specifically to provide kidney health education to Indigenous communities. The flipchart is written in simple, easy-to-read language, and. provides concise and clear information about the functions of the kidneys, how the kidneys can be damaged, what clinical tests should be done regularly, and how to keep the kidneys healthy. Phone our Adelaide office on 08 8334 7555 to order copies of this excellent patient education resource.
Bush Tucker in Kidney Failure and Diabetes - This innovative and interesting guide, written especially for people with CKD who wish to eat Indigenous foods - - lists a selection of more common foods eaten in rural and remote regions. It is designed to assist the dietician and patient make appropriate choices.
For composition of other foods, a more complete reference is available in "Tables of Composition of Australian Aboriginal Foods" by Janette Brand Miller, Keith W. James and Patricia MA Maggiore 1993.
Hard copies are available from The Renal Resource Centre 1800 257189 www.renalresource.com
NSW Aboriginal Vascular Health Program publish a series of 13 pamphlets produced on a range of issues related to vascular health, including one on kidney disease. Made for Aboriginal people as a patient education resource, each of the pamphlets is in a simple easy to read format. The pamphlets have been developed in consultation with Aboriginal Health Workers and peak non-government organistations and are available only as a set. Hard copies are free and can be ordered from The Better Health Centre on (02) 9816 0452.
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Need kidney health education material in another language? Visit Recommended Weblinks this section - 'Multicultural Kidney Health Education Resources'.
For Health Professionals Clinics, renal units and community organisations may order bulk copies of our publications: send us your order using our Resource Order Form.
Evaluate our health education material - get involved and be heard! We want to make this website an informative quality resource for all involved in the management of kidney and urological problems - send us your comments on our Kidney health material, our website and other programs. Give us your suggestions on our Fact Sheet Evaluation Form.
Fax your completed forms to 'Health Programs Manager' to 08 8334 7545.