Advanced care for patients with chronic kidney disease

The two main causes of Chronic Kidney Disease are diabetes and high blood pressure. Diabetes develops when your blood sugar is too high, which can cause damage to organs, these include the kidneys and heart as well as blood vessels, nerves and eyes. Hypertension is a condition in which

the pressure of the blood against the artery walls increases. If uncontrolled or poorly managed, high blood pressure can cause kidney damage, heart attacks and strokes.

• Regulating fluid balance in the body
• Restoring the body’s acid levels or pH balance
• Maintaining electrolyte concentrations like potassium, sodium and calcium
• The excretion of waste products, toxins and excess fluid
• The production of hormones vital for red blood cell production and blood pressure control

Final stage of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) This is when your kidney function has declined to Stage 5. At this point, dialysis will have to be initiated. A rapid onset in loss of kidney function is called Acute Renal Failure (ARF). This is more prevalent in patients who are critically ill in hospital with unstable vitals. Chronic kidney failure refers to the gradual loss of kidney function. Symptoms may include swelling of the legs, weariness, vomiting, loss of appetite, and confusion. Complications of chronic kidney failure also include heart disease, high blood pressure and anaemia. Treatment of chronic failure may include haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or a kidney transplant.

A kidney transplant is considered the best treatment option for people facing kidney failure as it can increase your life expectancy as well as your quality of life.

Although dialysis helps to perform some of the functions that your kidneys did when they were healthy, it still cannot completely compare to the quality of filtration of healthy kidneys. Between dialysis treatments, waste products and fluid will build up in your body. This makes it necessary to follow some dietary and fluid restrictions to help prevent excessive waste and fluid build-up in your blood.

Limit your intake of the following:

• Potassium (bananas, spinach, avocados)
• Phosphorus (cheese, milk, meat, cola) Fluids (water, tea, coffee)
• Sodium (salt).

Other recommended measures include staying active and attending dialysis sessions as scheduled.

Once you have been diagnosed with stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease, you will need dialysis for the rest of your life, or until you can receive

a kidney transplant.

Yes. Fortunately, it is a prescribed minimum benefit (PMB), and medical aids cover the cost in full.

A dialysis session lasts four hours and happens two to three times a week. Sessions can be scheduled to accommodate your timetable.

Once you have been diagnosed, your nephrologist will discuss the best treatment option for you.

Yes. Always inform your nephrologist and your team at Mediclinic Renal Services in advance for your treatment dates to be scheduled.

Currently, there is no cure for Chronic Kidney Disease. However, there are ways to effectively manage your disease. If you have been diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease, it is important to have regular check-ups with your nephrologist and your renal team. With early diagnosis and treatment, you may be able to delay the progression of kidney disease as well as the progression to the point of dialysis treatment.

Most patients are eligible for a kidney transplant. This option can be discussed with your nephrologist and renal team.

For emotional support, patients can make use of available counselling services, patient support groups and the renal team. Open and transparent communication between patients and the renal team is very important.