|
|
|
No time to waste with detecting kidney disease - Newcastle
20 May 2008 People are asked to adopt healthy lifestyles all the time, but this Kidney Health Week, we are given another important reason to do so – Kidney disease is a ‘silent killer’ with few symptoms until almost 90 per cent of kidney function is lost permanently. Hunter New England Health’s Nurse Manager for Renal Dialysis - Kelly Adams, said kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter your blood of waste products, and the signs often go unnoticed and undetected until its too late for anything but dialysis or a transplant. "The good news is that progress of kidney disease can be slowed through medication and lifestyle changes IF it is detected early. "High blood pressure and diabetes are the most common indicators of kidney disease risk. People who are over 50 years with hypertension or diabetes should be checked regularly for kidney disease – particularly if there is kidney disease in the family. "People from Aboriginal descent also appear to be more at risk, and often from an earlier age. So the message to Aboriginal people and others with risk factors is: ‘Get checked regularly – ignoring the risk doesn’t make it go away’. "The tests are simple. The doctor will take your blood pressure, check your urine, and probably order a blood test, but they will also ask you about your lifestyle. "Staying fit, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling your blood pressure and stress, not smoking or drinking heavily, and controlling your blood glucose if you are diabetic, are all known ways to reduce your risk of developing kidney disease," she said. This year Hunter New England Health is promoting early detection of kidney disease, which is extremely important in terms of reducing the impact of the condition. "Already we are noticing a huge annual increase in the number of people diagnosed with kidney failure. If we can detect kidney problems early, patients have a much better chance to maintain a normal life for longer. "Kidney disease in its end stage requires regular dialysis – there are two different dialysis options available, both of which mean excess fluid and toxins are removed from your blood, when your kidneys can’t do the work. Your kidneys normally filter your blood several times a day, averaging about 200 litres per day. "Depending on which type of dialysis is undertaken, dialysis can often be performed independently at home, or at a dialysis unit within a hospital setting. "Without dialysis, toxins and excess fluid build up in your blood leaving you at risk of chemical and fluid imbalances, which in turn ultimately results in multiple organ failure. Kelly stresses that prevention really is better than waiting until it’s too late. "Although kidney transplant is viewed by many as a cure, there is limited availability, and transplants are relatively rare," she said.
Contact: Kay Cope
Phone: 6776 9817
|
|
|