Conservative care

The main goals of conservative care include:

• Preserving your remaining kidney function for as long as possible
• Managing your symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, swelling of limbs
• Managing other health conditions caused by ESKD, including anaemia, weakening of the bones and a high potassium level
• Maintaining your quality of life by reducing hospital stays and CKD complications

Therefore, patients should assess with their doctors the different CKD treatment options available. If after discussion, the possible complications associated with dialysis outweighs the benefits, CKD patients can choose to continue their CKD treatment with conservative care. After starting conservative care, the patient should be on appropriate medication, dietary planning, physiotherapy, and psychosocial support to manage their CKD symptoms.

Conservative care can be considered an option during any or all of these discussions. Should you wish to pursue conservative care, you may wish to update your Advance Care Directive with your conservative decision, to ensure your wishes are adhered too.

The kidney care team will also advise patients on how to manage their other health conditions that can worsen their kidney function. Patients should adhere strictly to the medication regimen prescribed by their doctors to keep their symptoms under control. Regular monitoring of their blood pressure and blood glucose level is also essential in delaying disease progression.

The patient will also be advised to follow an appropriate diet plan to moderate the sodium, potassium, and phosphorus level in their body. Patients are also expected to follow a daily fluid restriction as fluid management is important to avoid both dehydration and fluid overload.