PKD Life - Summer 2021 - 4

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FRESH START
Self -Ca re
Self -Ca re
The Best Ways to
Prevent UTIs
Anyone can get a urinary tract
infection (UTI), but having PKD can
increase your risk. One reason is that
kidney cysts are prone to infection,
allowing bacteria to build up and
aff ect the urinary tract.
Symptoms of UTIs include pain
or a burning sensation when you
urinate and an urgent need to pass
oſt en small amounts of urine. If the
infection spreads to the kidneys,
you may experience fever, chills, and
back pain.
Takamitsu Saigusa, M.D., a
nephrologist at the University of
Alabama at Birmingham, off ers these
tips for preventing UTIs:
1 Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of
water and other fl uids. The goal is to
make sure your urine is light yellow
or clear, not dark. Dr. Saigusa suggests
setting a timer for every couple of
hours to remind yourself to drink.
(There is no evidence that cranberry
juice is better than any other beverage
at preventing UTIs.)
2 Practice good hygiene. Most
UTIs are caused by fecal bacteria.
And because women have shorter
urethras that are closer to the anus,
they are more prone to UTIs than
men. Keep the genital area clean, and
always wipe from front to back. Dr.
Saigusa also recommends using an
aff ordable bidet toilet seat that can
be attached to the toilet. It is also a
good idea to wear cotton underwear,
which provides optimal ventilation to
the genital area.
3 Urinate right aſt er intercourse.
This will fl ush out any
bacteria that may have entered
the urethra.
Tell your doctor as soon as you
notice symptoms of a UTI so you can
start treatment as soon as possible.
Set a timer
to remind
you rself
to drink.
SHOULD YOU
TRY A WEIGHTED
BLANKET?
Fit ne 
TIPS FOR GETTING AND STAYING
MOTIVATED TO EXERCISE
Being physically active is important when you have PKD,
but getting started and staying motivated can be diffi cult.
Parker J Burns, a personal trainer with PKD and the owner
of Adapt Fitness in Salt Lake City, off ers these tips:
1
Find your " why. "
Ask yourself why
you want to stay
healthy-to be
there for your kids,
for example.
2
Have realistic
expectations.
PKD can sap your
energy, so don't
push yourself.
Burns suggests
trying to commit
to 10 minutes of
exercise. If you're
still tired, stop; if
not, keep going.
4 PKD LIFE * SUMMER 2021
3
Don't go it alone.
Whether it's a
class or a walking
partner, having
someone to
be accountable
to can make all
the diff erence.
4
Stick to a
schedule.
Put exercise on
your calendar,
but be realistic.
Don't decide you
" should " get up for
a 6 a.m. workout if
that's never going
to happen.
If you oſt en have a hard
time falling asleep, a
weighted blanket might
help. They can reduce
anxiety and relieve stress,
which in turn can make
falling asleep easier.
Weighted blankets contain
plastic pellets or ball
bearings, and most range
from 5 to 30 pounds. The
rule of thumb is to choose a
blanket that weighs about
10% of what you do.
Some people say sleeping
under one feels like a calming
full-body hug. Research
is limited, but these blankets
are thought to trigger
the release of " feel-good "
brain chemicals, and reduce
levels of stress hormones.
If you have obstructive
sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes,
or circulatory problems,
check with your doctor
before using a weighted
blanket.
PKD Life - Summer 2021

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