Medications For High Blood Pressure
One of the main ways to reduce the progression of kidney damage is to manage high blood pressure. Good control of blood pressure is;vital to protect the kidneys.
People with CKD should aim to get their blood pressure down to below 140/90mmHg but if you also have diabetes you should aim to get it down to below 130/80mmHg.
There are many types of blood pressure drugs.;Medicines called angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are used to control high blood pressure in people with CKD.
As well as reducing blood pressure around the body and reducing the strain on blood vessels,;ACE inhibitors;give additional protection to the kidney.
ACE inhibitors include:
Side effects of ACE inhibitors include:
- a persistent, dry cough;
- tiredness or weakness;
- headaches
Most of these side effects should pass within a few days, although some people continue to have a dry cough.
If the side effects of ACE inhibitors are particularly troublesome, you can be given an alternative medication called an angiotensin-II receptor blocker .;This group of medicines includes:
- candesartan
- losartan
The side effects of ARBs are uncommon, but can include dizziness.
What Are Dialysis And Hemodialysis
Dialysis cleanses the body of waste products in the body by use of filter systems. There are two types of dialysis, 1) hemodialysis and 2) peritoneal dialysis.
Hemodialysis uses a machine filter called a dialyzer or artificial kidney to remove excess water and salt, to balance the other electrolytes in the body, and to remove waste products of metabolism. Blood is removed from the body and flows through tubing into the machine, where it passes next to a filter membrane. A specialized chemical solution flows on the other side of the membrane. The dialysate is formulated to draw impurities from the blood through the filter membrane. Blood and dialysate never touch in the artificial kidney machine.
For this type of dialysis, access to the blood vessels needs to be surgically created so that large amounts of blood can flow into the machine and back to the body. Surgeons can build a fistula, a connection between a large artery and vein in the body, usually in the arm, that allows a large amount of blood to flow into the vein. This makes the vein swell or dilate, and its walls become thicker so that it can tolerate repeated needle sticks to attach tubing from the body to the machine. Since it takes many weeks or months for a fistula to mature enough to be used, significant planning is required if hemodialysis is to be considered as an option.
What Are The Different Kinds Of Peritoneal Dialysis And How Do They Work
There are several kinds of peritoneal dialysis but two major ones are:Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis and Automated Peritoneal Dialysis .
Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis is the only type of peritoneal dialysis that is done without machines. You do this yourself, usually four or five times a day at home and/or at work. You put a bag of dialysate into your peritoneal cavity through the catheter. The dialysate stays there for about four or five hours before it is drained back into the bag and thrown away. This is called an exchange. You use a new bag of dialysate each time you do an exchange. While the dialysate is in your peritoneal cavity, you can go about your usual activities at work, at school or at home.
Automated Peritoneal Dialysis usually is done at home using a special machine called a cycler. This is similar to CAPD except that a number of cycles occur. Each cycle usually lasts 1-1/2 hours and exchanges are done throughout the night while you sleep.
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Anger And Chronic Kidney Disease
Anger is a normal and healthy emotion everyone feels from time to time.;Dealing with an illness like chronic kidney disease can bring up many emotions, anger being one of them.;Many people feel it is unfair they became ill and are mad about it. People may also feel angry about the loss of control over their lives that renal disease and treatments such as dialysis or kidney transplant can bring.; Some examples of things people with kidney disease often feel powerless to control are:
- employment/income
- medication regime
The acts of receiving dialysis, taking medicines and other treatment routines remind people of their renal disease and loss of personal control. Performing these acts can make them feel angry and resentful. This anger can be directed towards many sources including dialysis caregivers, family and friends. Anger may also be directed inward, leading to feelings of depression and low self esteem.
Understanding that you are the most powerful person on your health care team is the first step in regaining control and releasing your anger. Only you can choose to care for yourself well. Your renal healthcare team can provide information, support and advice, but you are in control of your kidney disease and your overall health.
So, how can you better manage your anger and regain control?
Relaxation
Change the way you think about things
Problem-solve
Listen before you leap
Humor
Change your environment
If none of this helps, you might try counseling
Key Points About Kidney Failure
- Kidney failure is complete failure of the kidneys to regulate normal functions. This includes fluid balance, blood pressure, acid and base balance, electrolytes, red blood cell production, and the removal of metabolic toxins and wastes.
- The outlook is poor for people with kidney failure. As toxins and fluid build up, the disease can become life threatening.
- Treatment involves peritoneal and hemodialysis to replace the function of the kidneys.
- Kidney transplant may be a choice for long-term survival.
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Tips For Managing End
There are several different ways you can help a loved one manage their end-stage kidney failure symptoms. Perhaps the most valuable thing you can do is listen to your loved one and try as best you can to address their issues. However, if at any time you are unsure of how you can help, or if the patient is unable to communicate effectively, we recommend contacting their primary care physician.
What Your Kidneys Do
Healthy kidneys:
- Keep a balance of water and minerals in your blood
- Remove waste from your blood after digestion, muscle activity, and exposure to chemicals or medications
- Make renin, which your body uses to help manage your blood pressure
- Make a chemical called erythropoietin, which prompts your body to make red blood cells
- Make an active form of vitamin D, needed for bone health and other things
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How Can I Live Well With Kidney Failure
Doing well with kidney failure is a challenge. You will feel better if you
- stick to your treatment schedule
- review your medicines with your health care provider at every visit and take your medicines as prescribed
- work with a dietitian to develop an eating plan that includes foods you enjoy eating while also helping your health
- stay activetake a walk or do some other physical activity that you enjoy
- stay in touch with your friends and family
Treatment with dialysis or transplant will help you feel better and live longer. Your health care team will work with you to create a treatment plan to address any health problems you have. Your treatment will include steps you can take to maintain your quality of life and activity level.
Your eating plan plays an important role. When you have kidney failure, what you eat and drink may help you maintain a healthy balance of salts, minerals, and fluids in your body.
How Will Kidney Failure Affect How I Feel About My Life
Coping with kidney failure can be stressful. Some of the steps that you are taking to manage your kidney disease are also healthy ways to cope with stress. For example, physical activity and sleep help reduce stress. Learn more about healthy ways to cope with stress.
Depression is common among people with a chronic, or long-term, illness. Depression can make it harder to manage your kidney disease. Ask for help if you feel down. Your health care team can help you. Talking with a support group, clergy member, friend, or family member wholl listen to your feelings may help.
Treatment for depression is available.
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Causes Of Acute Kidney Failure
- Rhabdomyolysis, kidney damage that can happen from muscle breakdown due to severe dehydration, infection, or other causes
- A blockage along the urinary tract
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome, blockage of the small vessels in the kidney, often caused by an E. Coli infection
- Infection or certain medicines that may be toxic to the kidneys
- Glomerulonephritis, inflammation of the tiny units within the kidney where blood is cleaned. It impairs the kidneys ability to filter urine.
- Any condition that impairs the flow of oxygen and blood to the kidneys, such as a heart attack
Its Just Too Much To Think About Right Now
It is normal not to be able to think straight when you first find out you have kidney failure. Chances are your mind isnt clear due to the waste in your body and the shock of learning that you have a serious illness.
Keep in mind, you dont have to decide on long-term treatment right away. Youre already getting short-term treatment in the hospital or at the dialysis clinic. Soon youll be able to think more clearly, but right now you need a supportive family and friends. Don be afraid to ask them for help or let them know what they can do.
So which treatment is best? That depends on:
- illnesses you have had in the past
- your overall health and how sick you are right now
- your age
- your habits or lifestyle
Some choices are easy to make; if you dont have family that can donate a kidney or you arent eligible for the kidney transplant list, then dialysis is your obvious choice. Talk with your doctor; he can help you choose which treatment is best for your situation.
Some people choose not to have treatment because they have other serious illnesses such as cancer or severe heart disease. They feel treatment prolongs death rather than extends life. Choosing not to have treatment is one that only you can make. If youre thinking about refusing treatment, talk with your family, nurse, people at your church and doctors. The choice you make must be right for you.
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What Can Cause A Cats Kidneys To Shut Down
Antifreeze, toxic plants like lilies, pesticides, cleaning fluids, and certain human medications are highly poisonous to your cats kidneys. Even a single tablet of ibuprofen can lead to her kidneys shutting down. Check around your house and garage for these substances and make sure your cat cant get into them.
Some of the causes of kidney failure include:
- diabetes even if it is well managed, diabetes can cause kidney damage
- glomerulonephritis swelling or inflammation of the tiny filtering units in the kidney. Also known as nephritis
- polycystic kidney disease an inherited condition that causes thousands of cysts to form in the kidneys
- urinary reflux a bladder-valve problem that allows urine to flow back into the kidneys, causing scarring
- medications some drugs such as lithium and cyclosporin can cause kidney failure. Continued misuse of compound analgesic preparations was once a common cause of permanent kidney damage. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , taken in normal therapeutic doses, may occasionally cause acute kidney failure
- medullary cystic kidney disease an inherited kidney disease that leads to the kidneys gradually losing their ability to work properly due to cysts in the centre of the kidneys.;;
How Long Does It Take For Kidney Failure To Get Worse
Sometimes, kidney failure is temporary and comes on quickly. Other times, it is a chronic condition that can get worse slowly over a long time. Kidney failure may sound serious, and it is. But treatments such as dialysis and kidney transplant help many people with limited kidney function continue to live fulfilling lives.
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Why Does It Happen
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, the size of your fist,;located on either side of the body, just beneath the ribcage. The main role of the kidneys is to filter waste products from the blood before converting them into urine. The kidneys also:
- help maintain blood pressure;
- maintain the correct levels of chemicals in your body which, in turn, will help;heart and muscles function properly
- produce the active form of vitamin D that keeps bones healthy;
- produce a substance called erythropoietin, which stimulates production of red blood cells
Chronic kidney disease is the reduced ability of the kidney to carry out these functions in the long-term. This is most often caused by damage to the kidneys from other conditions, most commonly diabetes and high blood pressure.
Read more about the causes of chronic kidney disease
What Should I Eat When I Have Kidney Failure
Dialysis helps to do some of the work that your kidneys did when they were healthy, but it cannot do everything that healthy kidneys do. Therefore, even when you are on dialysis, you will need to limit what and how much you eat and drink. Your diet needs may depend on the type of dialysis you are on and your treatment schedule. Learn more about the diet for living with kidney failure.
Learn what healthy eating means for people in every stage of kidney disease, including those on dialysis or living with a kidney transplant. Find recipes on Kidney Kitchen.
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Symptoms Of Kidney Pain
- A dull ache that’s usually constant
- Pain under your rib cage or in your belly
- Pain in your side; usually only one side, but sometimes both hurt
- Sharp or severe pain that may come in waves
- Pain that can spread to your groin area or belly
Other symptoms that can happen with kidney pain
The symptoms of your kidney pain depend on its cause. With kidney pain you may also have:
- Fever
- Blood in your urine
Signs Of Kidney Disease
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Living With Stage 3 Kidney Disease
Aside from taking your prescribed medications and eating a healthy diet, adopting other lifestyle changes can help you manage CKD stage 3. Talk to your doctor about the following:
- Exercise. Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate activity per day on most days of the week. A doctor can help you begin an exercise program safely.
- Blood pressure management. High blood pressure can be a precursor for CKD, and it can make your condition worse. Aim for a blood pressure of 140/90 and below.
- Stress management. Techniques can include exercise, getting better sleep, and meditation.
- Smoking cessation. Talk to a doctor about the right methods of quitting smoking for you.
Causes Of Chronic Kidney Failure
- Diabetic nephropathy, kidney damage due to high blood sugar
- High blood pressure
- Change in mental alertness
- Metallic taste in mouth
The symptoms of acute and chronic kidney failure may look like other health problems. Always talk with your;healthcare provider for a diagnosis. You may be referred to a kidney specialist known as a nephrologist.
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What Is The Treatment For Acute And Chronic Kidney Failure
Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.
Treatment may include hospitalization and:
- IV fluids
- Diuretic therapy
- Closely watching electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and calcium and heart rhythm, as the heart muscle is at risk for changes in these electrolytes
- Medicines
- Specific diet needs
In some cases, you can have electrolyte problems and toxic levels of waste products normally removed by the kidneys. You may also develop fluid overload. Dialysis may be needed in these cases.
Treatment of chronic kidney failure depends on the how much kidney function you still have.
Swollen Or Puffy Face
Why this happens:
Failing kidneys don’t remove extra fluid, which builds up in your body causing swelling in the face.
What patients said:
My sister, her hair started to fall out, she was losing weight, but her face was really puffy, you know, and everything like that, before she found out what was going on with her.
My checks were always puffy and tight. Sometimes they would even hurt.
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