7 Daily Habits to Help You Manage Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

“Living with a chronic kidney condition can be challenging, but small, gentle changes that fit your daily routine can make a big difference,” says Amir Abdipour, MD, the chief of the nephrology division at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California. “Remember, even the tiniest positive steps count toward feeling better every day.”

1. Build a Morning Routine

Create a morning routine to check in with your body and catch symptoms early, says Dr. Abdipour, who recommends weighing yourself every morning to check for an increase in fluid retention.

And keep a close eye on your blood pressure. “Maintain a log of blood pressure readings at the same time of day to compare trends over time and response to treatments,” says Dr. Garimella.

Your morning routine may also include taking medicine. “One habit that seems small but is actually huge for me is setting alarms on my phone to remind me to take my medications,” says Kimberly Queen, who has FSGS and volunteers as an American Kidney Fund ambassador in Douglassville, Georgia.

Garimella suggests using a pill organizer and timing meds with another daily task — like brushing your teeth or eating breakfast — to strengthen the habit.

2. Eat for Kidney Health

Follow a Low-Sodium Diet

“I try to find realistic ways to limit sodium,” says Queen. For example, she makes her own taco or chili seasoning instead of buying premade packets and chooses no-salt-added canned foods when she can. “Fresh may technically be best, but fresh isn’t always realistic when you’re dealing with exhaustion or just having a hard day,” she says.

Limit Protein

Focus on Hydration

To stay hydrated, part of Queen’s routine includes keeping a water bottle nearby. “Having it right there makes it much easier for me to remember to drink throughout the day,” she says.

3. Make Daily Movement a Priority

• Get off the elevator a few floors below your destination and take the stairs.
• Go for a walk with a friend or loved one after lunch or dinner.
• Join a dance class, swim, or play a sport you love.

4. Take Rest Breaks

Let your friends and family know when you need to walk a little slower or take a break.

5. Engage in Mindful Moments

“Choose one daily stress practice, and if needed, log or journal about it,” says Garimella, who suggests these options:

• Five-minute breathing exercises
• Brief outdoor walks
• Prayer or meditation
• Listening to music

6. Share Your Feelings

You can also squash daily stress about your symptoms or diagnosis by talking with a trusted loved one or someone else who has FSGS. “If I start worrying about a symptom, I’ll talk it through with my fiancé, who is very good at reminding me to stay in the present and wait for the actual information before I panic,” says Queen.

You can also speak to someone one-on-one by calling, or find a support group through these organizations:

• American Association of Kidney Patients
• Renal Support Network
• NephCure

7. Develop Healthy Sleep Habits

Try for seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night by adding healthy sleep habits to your daily routine, says Abdipour.

• Avoid screens too close to bedtime.
• Keep a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends.
• Eat small snacks instead of heavy meals before bed.
• Create a cozy, cool, dark sleeping environment.
• Add an outdoor activity to each day.

How to Build a Routine That Sticks

“For me, making habits realistic usually means simplifying them,” says Queen. For example, instead of trying to count ounces of fluid throughout the day, she uses a 30-ounce water bottle, so she knows she needs about three of those each day. “It may sound simple, but taking away some of the mental work makes the habit much easier for me to maintain,” says Queen.

Garimella suggests asking your support group what habits they use and how they stick with them. But he also encourages his patients not to feel down if they don’t succeed right away.

“A missed day of monitoring blood pressure or [eating] a high-sodium meal is not a failure — it is a data point — and I explicitly tell patients this, so a single lapse doesn't spiral into abandoning the routine altogether,” says Garimella.