Introducing Kidney Disease Treatment in a New Light

Rahul Kumar
5 min readDec 9, 2022

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Description

As a first step toward kidney disease diagnosis, your doctor will go over your personal and family history. Your doctor might ask if you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, whether you’ve used a drug that may influence kidney function, whether you’ve seen changes in your urine patterns, and if your family members have kidney disease treatment.

After that, your doctor will perform a physical exam to look for signs of heart or blood vessel issues, as well as a neurological exam.

Certain tests and procedures may be needed for kidney disease diagnosis to assess the severity of your kidney disease (stage). Tests may include:

· Blood testing — Kidney function tests examine for waste products in your blood, such as creatinine and urea.

· Urine testing — Analyzing urine samples can show abnormalities that indicate chronic kidney failure and also assist in determining the cause of chronic kidney disease.

· Your doctor can use ultrasound to check the shape and size of your kidneys. In some cases, additional imaging tests may be required.

· Getting a sample of kidney tissue for testing — Your doctor may recommend you have a kidney biopsy, which involves collecting a sample of kidney tissue. Kidney biopsy is commonly performed under local anesthesia using a long, thin needle inserted through your skin and into the kidney.

What is the treatment for chronic kidney disease?

There is no cure for chronic kidney disease (CKD), but early in the disease, steps can be taken to maintain a higher level of kidney function for a longer time. You should follow some simple steps if you have poor kidney function:

· Maintain your nephrologist appointments.

· Control your blood sugar levels if you are diabetic.

· Avoid consuming painkillers and other drugs that may worsen your kidney condition.

· Control your blood pressure.

· Consult a dietician before making healthy dietary changes. Reducing protein, eating foods that decrease blood cholesterol levels, and limiting sodium and potassium intake are all possible dietary changes.

· Don’t smoke.

· Treat anaemia

· Exercise: Be physically active

· Keep your weight under control.

Medications

Your nephrologist may prescribe the following medications:

· The use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE) or an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) is helpful in regulating blood pressure levels.

· Diuretics

· Medications that reduce cholesterol levels.

· Erythropoietin: builds red blood cells if you are anaemic.

· Calcium and vitamin D: for the prevention of bone degeneration.

· Phosphate binders

What exactly is kidney dialysis?

As there is no treatment for CKD, you and your doctor must consider other choices if you are in late-stage disease. When left untreated, complete kidney failure will result in death. Dialysis and kidney transplants are options for patients approaching the end stages of CKD.

Dialysis is a process that employs machines to remove waste from your body when your kidneys are no longer capable of doing so. Dialysis is divided into two types.

· Haemodialysis involves the circulation of your blood through a machine that removes waste products, excess water, and excess salt. After that, the blood is reintroduced into your body. Haemodialysis takes 3 to 4 hours and is performed three times a week at a clinic, hospital, or dialysis facility.

· Peritoneal dialysis involves injecting a dialysis solution directly into your abdomen. The solution absorbs waste and removes it through a catheter. A new solution is added to the cleaning process. You can do this type of dialysis by yourself.

Kidney transplant

Kidney transplantation is placing a new kidney into your body to perform all of the duties that the failing kidney cannot. Living donors and deceased donors donate kidneys for transplantation. Living donors are usually family blood related members. This is possible because people can live with just one healthy kidney.

Deceased donor kidneys are often obtained from patients who have willed their kidneys before death by completing organ donor cards. All donors are rigorously screened to guarantee a suitable match and to avoid any transmissible diseases or other issues.

Lifestyle and home cures

As part of your treatment of chronic kidney disease, your doctor may advise a particular diet to help maintain your kidneys and reduce the work they must do. Get a referral from your doctor to a qualified dietician who can evaluate your diet and recommend ways to make it easier on your kidneys.

Dietary suggestions may include the following, depending on your situation, kidney function, and overall health:

· Avoid salty foods. Limit your daily sodium intake by avoiding foods with added salt, which include many convenience foods like frozen dinners, canned soups, and fast foods. Other salty snack items, canned vegetables, processed meats, and cheeses include added salt.

· Choose low-potassium foods. Bananas, oranges, potatoes, spinach, and tomatoes are high in potassium. Apples, cabbage, carrots, green beans, grapes, and strawberries are among the low-potassium foods. If you have kidney failure, you should avoid many salt alternatives because they contain potassium.

· Lower your protein intake. Your dietician will evaluate the quantity of protein you need each day and make recommendations based on that number.

· Lean meats, eggs, milk, cheese, and lentils are all high in protein. Vegetables, fruits, bread, and cereals are all low-protein foods.

What should I expect if I have kidney disease?

You can still lead a productive home and work life, and also spend time with your family and friends, if you have kidney disease. You must become an active member of your treatment team to get the most positive possible outcome.

Early detection and proper treatment are critical to reducing the disease process and avoiding or postponing renal failure. You must follow your doctor’s instructions, take your medications as prescribed, eat a healthy diet, and check your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Causes

Chronic kidney disease occurs when a disease or condition limits kidney function, causing kidney damage to worsen over time.

Chronic kidney disease is caused by a wide variety of diseases and conditions, including:

· Diabetes type 1 or type 2

· High blood pressure

· Glomerulonephritis: inflammation of the filtration units of the kidney (glomeruli).

· Interstitial nephritis: an infection of the tubules and adjacent tissues of the kidney.

· Other hereditary kidney diseases such as polycystic kidney disease

· Prolonged urinary tract obstruction caused by conditions like an enlarged prostate, kidney stones, and certain cancers

· Vesicoureteral reflux: a disorder where urine backs up into the kidneys.

· Reoccurring kidney infections, known as pyelonephritis

Coping and assistance

A chronic kidney disease diagnosis might be frightening. Consider the following to help you manage your emotions:

Get in touch with other people who have kidney diseases. They can comprehend how you feel and provide insightful advice. Consult with your physician about local support groups.

· When possible, stick to your usual schedule.

If your condition allows, try to continue doing the activities you like and working. This might help you cope with any feelings of sadness or loss you may be experiencing.

· Being active on most weekdays

Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical exercise most days of the week, as directed by your doctor. This might help you cope with exhaustion and stress.

· Talk to somebody you trust

You may have a friend or family member who is a skilled listener. You might also speak with a religious leader or someone else you trust. Request a recommendation for a social worker or therapist from your doctor.

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