• 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

When you have more than one health condition, it can be challenging to keep it all straight. Your care team will listen to your health goals and concerns, help you complete an annual health evaluation and coordinate closely with your doctors to get you the care you need.

Diabetes

To help control diabetes, you need to keep your blood sugar at the right level. If you don’t, it can lead to other health issues, like kidney disease. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease1 in the U.S. Taking medicine such as insulin or oral pills alone will not manage your blood sugar levels. That’s why it is important to eat a good diet.

Choosing certain foods and cooking methods can help control diabetes and improve kidney health.

Top 5 tips:

  1. Make healthy choices:
    • High-quality proteins (such as eggs, meat, fish and chicken)
    • Whole grains (such as brown rice or oats)
    • Fruits and vegetables. Ask your doctor about potassium advice.
  2. Eat less salty, fatty foods such as chips, salad dressings and butter.
  3. Eat less carbohydrates (carbs), which turn into sugar when you digest them. For example:
    • Avoid sugary foods like jelly, honey, candy and desserts.
    • Limit starches such as white rice, pasta, cereal, and breads that are high carb.
  4. Avoid fried food. Bake, broil, roast or grill foods instead.
  5. Eat at regular times and do not skip meals.

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 healthy recipes? Check out a dietitian-created cookbook great for helping your overall health or managing conditions like diabetes and/or kidney disease. Download the free cookbook from the American Diabetes Association® and DaVita Kidney Care here.

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 healthy recipes? Check out a dietitian-created cookbook great for helping your overall health or managing conditions like diabetes and/or kidney disease. Download the free cookbook from the American Diabetes Association® and DaVita Kidney Care here.

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.

      Questions?