Saturday, February 28, 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.

The disease may exist internally for years with few overt symptoms, and can only be accurately diagnosed through blood and urine testing. These measure actual filtering levels and the amount of proteins in the urine, both of which may indicate serious problems. While there is no cure once the symptoms have begun, a timely diagnosis can help preserve remaining function.

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 those individuals there are only two current options. Dialysis is the most common, and involves cleansing the blood with the help of a machine. These devices mix and control the solutions used to carry away waste artificially. They help maintain electrolyte and mineral levels, and also monitor blood flow. Machines are now available for home use, but most commonly exist in hospitals or clinics.

The other available option is transplantation. The procedure has become the second most common type of organ replacement used today, and relies on organs taken from genetically matched relatives or from recently deceased donors. The organs are surgically connected, and the non-functioning portions are left in place unless they pose a hazard. Although successful in many cases, some bodies reject the foreign tissue, and immune responses must commonly be repressed.

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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