• Health Education

  • Health Education

We all want to understand our health conditions and how they can change. Your VillageHealth care team can help turn health information into clear steps.

Here are some of the most common and important topics for VillageHealth members. If you have questions or need more information, just call your VillageHealth care team.

Multiple Health Conditions

The more health issues you have, the harder it can be to keep things straight. Your care team will help you with this. They will help you with a questionnaire (called an “annual health evaluation”) and work with your doctors to give you the right care.

Diabetes

American Diabetes Association logo

To help control diabetes, you need to keep your blood sugar at the right level. This helps prevent or slow down other possible health issues, like kidney disease. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease in the U.S.1

VillageHealth connected with the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) to help members better understand how their different health conditions impact each other. The ADA's online experience —at diabetes.org/kidney—offers diabetes and kidney health information, health and food tips for both conditions and much more.


Healthy Eating with Diabetes

Choosing less-processed foods, certain cooking methods and eating on a regular schedule can help manage diabetes and improve kidney health. Eat diabetes- and kidney-friendly foods by following these tips. Choose:

  • Low-sodium/salt foods (like whole grains and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables).
  • Carbohydrates made without a lot of added sugar or fat (like whole grains, fresh or frozen fruit and starchy vegetables such as potatoes).
  • Heart-healthy fats (like olive and avocado oils).
  • Plant-based proteins (like beans/lentils, quinoa and tofu).
  • Baking, broiling, roasting, air frying or grilling instead of frying.

Talk with your doctor or registered dietitian (RD) about foods that are right for you. These tips are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Consult your dietitian or physician for the specific diet that is right for you as diet guidelines vary for each individual based on health condition, diagnosis and many other factors.

High Blood Pressure

You may have high blood pressure and not know it. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can damage your blood vessels including small ones in your kidneys. If the blood vessels in your kidneys are damaged, your kidneys can’t work as well.

To avoid this:

  1. Regularly check your blood pressure with a doctor or nurse.
  2. Maintain a healthy weight.
  3. Do not smoke.
  4. Exercise often. Even a short walk helps. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of exercise for you.
  5. Limit salt and alcohol.
  6. Take prescribed medicines as your doctor tells you to.

Heart Disease

People with kidney disease often have a heart condition, too. A healthy diet is an important part of managing both health conditions, but foods that are good for one condition may not be good for the other.

Your VillageHealth care team can help you with:

  • Tips for a diet that is good for your heart and kidneys.
  • Recipes that are good for your health conditions.
  • Help finding a local dietitian.

Kidney Disease

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the main health problems leading to kidney failure. But other common health problems can damage your kidney, too:

  • Heart disease affects the heart and blood vessels. Symptoms:
    • Chest pain
    • Unsteady heartbeat
    • Shortness of breath
    • Swelling
    • Pain and numbness in arms and legs
  • Congestive heart failure happens when the heart cannot pump enough blood. Symptoms:
    • Shortness of breath
    • Tiredness
    • Swelling in ankles and legs
    • Fluid build-up in lungs
  • Lung disease includes several health problems that may come on slowly or suddenly:
    • Asthma and emphysema (lung diseases that make breathing hard)
    • Chronic bronchitis (swelling in lungs which causes a cough that won’t go away)
    • Lung cancer
    • Pulmonary arterial high blood pressure (high blood pressure in your lungs)

As kidney function gets worse, you may also have:

  • Swelling in legs and feet
  • Trouble breathing
  • Feeling sick or tired
  • Loss of appetite
  • Too much or not enough urine
  • Itchy skin

People can have different symptoms. If you feel any of these, talk with your doctor or your VillageHealth care team right away.

Kidney Smart® Classes

When you know how your health conditions and choices affect your overall health, you can avoid bigger problems. Kidney Smart® offers no-cost, one-time, in-person or virtual classes with recipes and other take-away materials. To learn more and sign up, go to Kidney Smart®.

Diet and Nutrition

Eating a healthy diet can help give you more energy and avoid other health issues. To get tips based on your health and find a local dietitian, call your care team at 1-800-767-0063 (TTY: 711).

Looking for recipes and guides that can help you follow a healthy diet? Check out our Diet & Recipes page.

Diet and Nutrition

Eating a healthy diet can help give you more energy and avoid other health issues. To get tips based on your health and find a local dietitian, call your care team at 1-800-767-0063 (TTY: 711).

Looking for recipes and guides that can help you follow a healthy diet? Check out our Diet & Recipes page.

Multiple Medicines

Medicines are important to control your health conditions. But they only work when you take them the way your doctor tells you to. If you do not, you risk feeling worse or getting a new health problem.

Please call your VillageHealth care team if you have:

  • Questions about how and when to take your medicines.
  • Cost concerns. Medicines can cost a lot. Your care team can try to find discounts for you.

Multiple Medicines

Medicines are important to control your health conditions. But they only work when you take them the way your doctor tells you to. If you do not, you risk feeling worse or getting a new health problem.

Please call your VillageHealth care team if you have:

  • Questions about how and when to take your medicines.
  • Cost concerns. Medicines can cost a lot. Your care team can try to find discounts for you.

Emotional Health

Health conditions can also affect your emotional health. Dealing with a condition day after day can take its toll. But, you are not alone. Your VillageHealth care team is here to talk with you, and connect you with others who can help. Call 1-800-767-0063 (TTY: 771).

Emotional Health

Health conditions can also affect your emotional health. Dealing with a condition day after day can take its toll. But, you are not alone. Your VillageHealth care team is here to talk with you, and connect you with others who can help. Call 1-800-767-0063 (TTY: 771).

Physical Activity

Ask your doctor before beginning any exercise plan.

Exercise helps you be healthier and improves emotional wellness, digestion, sleep and energy levels. It also strengthens your muscles and heart. The healthier your heart, the lower your risk for heart disease. Exercise can also help lower cholesterol levels, stress, blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Top 5 tips:

  1. Start slow and increase your activity over time.
  2. Stretch to help circulate your blood and increase flexibility.
  3. Do cardio exercises such as walking outside, at a mall, on a treadmill or stairs, or ride a stationary bike.
  4. Lift light weights every other day to help increase blood flow and strength.
  5. Drink water to stay hydrated.

Physical Activity

Ask your doctor before beginning any exercise plan.

Exercise helps you be healthier and improves emotional wellness, digestion, sleep and energy levels. It also strengthens your muscles and heart. The healthier your heart, the lower your risk for heart disease. Exercise can also help lower cholesterol levels, stress, blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Top 5 tips:

  1. Start slow and increase your activity over time.
  2. Stretch to help circulate your blood and increase flexibility.
  3. Do cardio exercises such as walking outside, at a mall, on a treadmill or stairs, or ride a stationary bike.
  4. Lift light weights every other day to help increase blood flow and strength.
  5. Drink water to stay hydrated.

Sleep

Sleep helps you stay healthy. It's important to get enough high-quality sleep.

Top 5 tips:

  1. Get outside during the day. Physical activity and fresh air help.
  2. Avoid large meals, caffeine and alcohol before bedtime.
  3. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
  4. Keep your bedroom quiet, dark and at a comfortable temperature.
  5. Avoid looking at electronic devices for 30 minutes before bed.

    Sleep

    Sleep helps you stay healthy. It's important to get enough high-quality sleep.

    Top 5 tips:

    1. Get outside during the day. Physical activity and fresh air help.
    2. Avoid large meals, caffeine and alcohol before bedtime.
    3. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
    4. Keep your bedroom quiet, dark and at a comfortable temperature.
    5. Avoid looking at electronic devices for 30 minutes before bed.