Summary

Chapter 3

Supporting and managing your kidney health

• Give yourself a quit date by making a plan, picking a start date, telling your friends and family, and keeping busy.

• Have a strategy to overcome cravings: chew gum, check in with friends, deep breathing, meditation, call in numbers.

• Make a list of reasons why to quit and carry it with you.

• Learn more about quitting smoking here: www.smokershelpline.ca or call: 1-877-513-5333

If you are not immediately successful when you try to quit, try again! Some people have to try five or more times before they quit for good. By figuring out what works for you, it will get easier. The many benefits of quitting smoking include:

• Your sense of smell and taste improve

• Breathing becomes easier as your bronchial tubes relax and your lung capacity increases.

• Your blood circulation improves and oxygen levels in your blood return to normal.

• Your risk of heart attack, lung cancer and other smoking related diseases decreases over time.

• You will have more energy as well as more money to spend or save.

Summary

To manage your kidney health and help protect your remaining kidney function, it is important to:

• Control other medical conditions you may have like diabetes and high blood pressure.

• Maintain a healthy weight.

• Quit smoking or vaping.