Monday, February 23, 2015

A Kidney Specialist Helps Patients Cope With Renal Disease

By Olivia Cross


Kidney disease and its related complications commonly develop along with metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, and diabetes. The condition is life-threatening, and currently has no pharmacological remedy. The doctors facing this problem on a daily basis are called nephrologists, and specialize in preserving remaining function. A kidney specialist also gives patients a greater opportunity to live life fully.

People with the highest risk factors usually do little aerobic exercise, are commonly overweight, and may additionally suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart problems. Lifestyle choices are an important causative factor, and DNA also plays a part. The disease is more common among members of certain genetic pools, and the elderly population always faces the greatest risk.

In some cases people develop the problem over several years without experiencing noticeable symptoms, and receive an accurate diagnosis only via blood and urine tests. Testing measures the current levels of waste filtering as well as protein levels, both of which can provide indications of developing problems. While existing damage is irreversible, it is important to discover the disease as early as possible.

If there is still a significant level of waste processing taking place internally, doctors may recommend medications that act as diuretics, flushing water from the body while lowering blood pressure. They may also prescribe a low-sodium diet in combination with an age-appropriate aerobic exercise program to help control body weight. While these options can be helpful, they do not cure patients in actual renal failure.

For patients in that category, only two workable options currently exist. The most common is dialysis, which uses a mechanical device to filter and cleanse the blood. These machines mix and control the artificial fluids used for this type of filtering. They maintain mineral and electrolyte levels, and constantly check blood flow. Some patients have home devices, but most are situated in clinics or hospitals.

The second option involves organ transplantation. Kidney replacement is the second most prevalent type of transplant surgery performed currently, and relies on organs from recently deceased donors or relatives who match the patient genetic profile and are willing to undergo an operation. Non-functional organs are often left in place when the replacements are connected. Many patients physically reject this tissue, and must take immune response-suppressing drugs.

Most nephrologists tailor individual treatment plans to circumstances and disease progression. Available options commonly include the services of specially trained nurses who regularly deal with kidney-related nutritional issues, related social problems that may develop, and the intricacies of ongoing treatment. Because they see dialysis patients so often, many doctors form close relationships with the people under their care.

The most effective methods of prevention include getting enough aerobic exercise, eating fewer high-calorie processed foods, and having blood tests performed yearly. People in Beverly Hills, CA live close to some of the most advanced medical facilities anywhere, but only benefit if they do not ignore annual testing. Although there is no cure for renal failure, many patients today live fully and enjoyably while undergoing treatments.




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