The website is divided into following sections:
KIDNEY section provides general information on kidney as an organ in human body, the important role it plays and what normal healthy people should do in regular course of life to keep their kidney in good condition by maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise. This section also covers kidney and hormone balance. If a person is suspected with kidney disease, Kidney Function Test (KFT) should be performed to conform Chronic Kidney Disease. KFT includes blood tests like serum creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) etc which measures the performance of your kidney. Approximate GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) may be generated by inputting a few details to know your kidney’s performance. Just to be extra careful, know the early symptoms of kidney failure so that you visit the Doctor at an early stage to arrest progression of the disease. This does not mean you keep fearing that kidney disease might inflict you but just increase your awareness about kidney disease to the next level. Do not undertake such tests without prescription from Doctors and do not interpret your reports without a Doctor’s guidance. Sometimes blood reports or other reports are a result of an aberration in the body’s function which auto corrects itself. This website aims to raise awareness on onset and management of chronic kidney disease and gives general information in this regard. Pleases CONSULT a doctor and rely only on doctor’s judgement for treatment and medication.
Raise your awareness on kidney disease by knowing the causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD), prognosis, diagnosis, symptoms and treatment options of a patient having kidney disease. In the early stages, it is possible to keep kidney condition stable for a considerable time period by following a strict discipline in having timely medication prescribed by doctors specialized in kidney ailments called nephrologists and slightly altering lifestyle management. Pre-dialysis stage diet is very critical and must be adhered to with consultation of dietitian and nutritionist. There are instances of sudden fatigue, sudden pass-outs by patient which has to be understood early to prevent fractures. There is more need to get sun exposure on a daily basis for vitamin D absorption, there is dire need to take regular walks to burn calories and remain stable.
Patients who are already suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure should consult their diabetologist for required precautions and medications. When kidney starts failing, it becomes extremely difficult to control high blood sugar and high blood pressure(BP) as body’s self regulatory mechanism goes haywire. Sometimes doctors suggest removing diabetic patients from medication and inject insulin injections to control blood sugar. There is no reason to be afraid if insulin shots have to be taken. It is easy to use and directly enters blood stream resulting in minimum side effects. Some Doctors advise complete dosage of Hepatitis B and C vaccination to prevent blood contamination due to injections when a patient is diagnosed with kidney disease in early stages.
When kidney is unable to flush out the toxic unwanted fluids from body, it becomes necessary to start planned dialysis. Doctors suggest getting an AV fistula operation. Getting a fistula operation done does not mean one has to undergo dialysis immediately. It helps to have fistula so that in case of emergency one time dialysis, there is no need to get too many injections pricked in various parts of your body unnecessarily and decrease risk of infection from hospitals.
Remember that immune system starts weakening with progression of kidney disease so it’s very important that a patient does not get any kind of infection (cold cough stomach upset are also infections for which suitable measures should be taken like not exposing to thermal shocks and eating homemade hygienic food only)
If kidneys cannot function anymore there are two options : 1. Dialysis and 2. Kidney transplant. Kidney transplant is a very elaborate process requiring a donor of kidney and transplant is done after a detailed procedure followed by doctors for matching the kidney of donor and receiver. The machine through which dialysis is done is called Dialyzer. Dialyser may have high flux or low flux membranes. Ask your doctor which is required. Generally high flux dialyser filter fluids better than low flux ones and can be repeated four to six times for dialysis and then renewed. Dialysis doesn’t stop life. One can still go out of station with proper planning and prior appointment in dialysis centres of that location and by following self-discipline and complete knowledge and awareness.
Treatment of kidney disease is a costly affair for middle and lower income group of people. The first thing that becomes a cause of worry for patients is how to raise funds for treatment. However, a planned approach can make things work well for you. It is important to share with your nearest family members about your situation. Cut down on your expenses on items which are non essential, create a fund, borrow from willing friends and family members. Put the money in such a way that your expenses can be borne out of the interest earned on your Fixed Deposits. Sell some jewellery, sell that extra flat you own, and be strong. This is not the end of life; this is a phase which needs to be handled prudently. Dig on your mediclaim. Once your monetary part is taken care of, half of your tension is over. We are trying to create a P2P Lending channel for kidney treatment so that willing people may donate funds for treatment of poor patients ailing with kidney disease and are unable to meet their expenses.