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KNOWLEDGE
CHANCES ARE, WHEN you wake up in the HOW nephropathy, which compromises their ability
morning, the health of your kidneys is not the DOES to function,” says Maredyth Walters, RN, MSN,
first thing that comes to mind. But your kidneys DIALYSIS CCRN, Director of Renal Care Services at The
are important for your overall health. And WORK? Medical Center, Navicent Health. “Unfortunately,
following a few healthy habits may help you keep this is a silent condition that causes problems
them in good shape. For example: If your kidneys are not long before your body shows any symptoms.”
»» Choose a menu high in nutrients and low able to do their job, your
healthcare provider may If you have diabetes and kidney disease,
in sodium. move you to dialysis talk with a specialist about how to manage
»» Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. treatment. If you have end- blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol
»» Exercise regularly. stage kidney failure, dialysis successfully.
»» Follow instructions from your physician takes on the responsibility
of the kidneys to: THE STAGES OF DISEASE
regarding check ups and medications. »» Balance the amount of
»» Maintain a healthy weight. Once kidney disease happens, it may continue
»» Take steps to control blood pressure and chemicals in the blood, in five stages. These stages are categorized from
including bicarbonate, stage 1 through stage 5. Stage 1 is the mildest
cholesterol levels. potassium and sodium. form of the disease. Stage 5 means that your
Your kidneys rid the body of excess fluid and »» Help control blood kidneys are failing. This is also called end-stage
waste. They also filter about 200 quarts of your pressure. renal disease.
blood every day. But that’s not the end of the »» Rid the body of excess
story. Your kidneys are responsible for helping salt, waste and water. African-Americans are three times as likely
produce your red blood cells. They create an Your healthcare provider to develop failure of the kidneys. If you are
active form of vitamin D that strengthens your may administer one of two African-American, be very proactive about
bones and, and your kidneys control pH levels in different types of dialysis: following healthy lifestyle habits, including
your body. hemodialysis or peritoneal having regular checkups with your healthcare
When your kidneys are working correctly, dialysis. If you receive provider. These appointments will help find
you may take them for granted. But if your hemodialysis, your blood warning signs of kidney disease, which does not
kidneys are damaged, you may begin to notice is pumped from the body always cause symptoms.
complications that you can’t ignore, including: to a machine designed
»» Anemia to function as an artificial If you develop kidney failure, your doctor may
»» Difficulty concentrating kidney. The fresh blood is recommend aggressive forms of therapy. These
»» Erectile dysfunction then pumped back into therapies may include kidney transplant or two
»» Low libido the body. types of dialysis—hemodialysis and peritoneal
»» Seizures If you receive peritoneal dialysis. Specialists may perform peritoneal
»» Weak bones and increased risk for fractures dialysis, your body works dialysis in the home or at the hospital.
“Once someone begins to exhibit signs of as the natural filter thanks
kidney failure, irreversible damage has already to the lining of your “These are very effective treatments
been done,” says Robert Bernstein, MD, FACE, stomach. Dialysate, a when the patients follow their healthcare
endocrinologist with Navicent Health. “But there cleansing fluid, washes providers’ recommendations about diet,
are still things you can do to take care of your into the belly and rinses medications and schedules,” Walters says.
body and slow progression of the disease.” out in cycles. A catheter “Many of these patients may lead normal
delivers and removes the lives. So I encourage them to be proactive by
WHO IS AT RISK FOR KIDNEY DISEASE? fluid from the body. investing time and energy into their bodies
Talk with your healthcare and health. Diabetes and kidney failure are
Many different diseases and conditions provider about which not death sentences.”
can increase your chance of kidney disease. option is right for you
These may include enlarged prostate, high depending on your stage Keep in mind that when end-stage renal
blood pressure and chronic kidney infections. of disease. disease does occur, managing other serious
Uncontrolled blood sugar levels associated with health conditions such as heart disease and high
Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can also cause the blood pressure is important. When not addressed
risk of kidney disease to climb. In fact, about properly, these diseases may lead to heart attack
30 percent of patients with Type 1 diabetes and or stroke. Remember to take blood pressure
between 10 and 40 percent of patients with medication regularly. A healthy level for your
Type 2 diabetes develop kidney failure. blood pressure is in the range of 120 systolic
pressure or less.
“Uncontrolled blood glucose levels can
cause many physiological complications, FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
including damage to kidneys known as diabetic RENAL CARE AT NAVICENT HEALTH,
VISIT WWW.NAVICENTHEALTH.ORG/
SERVICE-CENTER/RENAL-SERVICES.
FALL 2018 | navicenthealth.org 13
