What is CKD:
CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) is a condition of kidneys being damaged from many potential causes, resulting in gradual and permanent loss of Kidney function over time.
Why Early Diagnosis Is Required in CKD:
If unaware of the disease, kidney disease can gradually worsen over time, as the symptoms are often not noticed until the damage is severe. Early detection and diagnosis play critical roles in delaying further kidney damage that could ultimately cause kidney failure. At late stage, the treatment options are narrowed down to dialysis and kidney transplant.
The Risk factors of CKD:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Family history of CKD
- Aging
- Obesity
- Smoking
Initial Screening Tests of CKD:
- Blood pressure measurement
- Urine test for protein (proteinuria):.
- Blood test for creatinine:
The symptoms of CKD:
It can vary greatly since kidneys are associated with many functions of our body. Some people experience mild and unspecific symptoms while many experience no symptom at all. This is why CKD often is left undiagnosed until the late stage. Watch out for the following signs and symptoms:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Diminished mental ability
- Loss of appetite
- Sleeplessness
- Itchiness and skin irritation
- Muscle cramps, especially at night
- Swelling of legs and feet
- Puffiness around the eyes (especially in the morning)
- Frequent urination (especially at night)
How to prevent CKD:
Living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease, or help keep them under control. Follow these tips to lower your risk for kidney disease and the problems that cause it:
- Follow a low-salt, low-fat diet
- Exercise at least 30 minutes on most days of the week
- Have regular check-ups with your doctor
- Do not smoke or use tobacco
- Limit alcohol
How is CKD Treated:
Damage to your kidneys is usually permanent. Although the damage cannot be fixed, you can take steps to keep your kidneys as healthy as possible for as long as possible. You may even be able to stop the damage from getting worse.
- Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
- Keep a healthy blood pressure.
- Follow a low-salt, low-fat diet.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Do not smoke or use tobacco.
- Limit alcohol.
- Talk to your doctor about medicines that can help protect your kidneys.
If you catch kidney disease early, you may be able to prevent kidney failure.
WHY DIALYSIS IS REQUIRED ?
Kidneys are the responsible part of human body for filtering the liquid waste products from blood to maintain normal salt and water balance in our body. But those who are afflicted by Kidney diseases, Dialysis is the substitute procedure for many of the normal functions of Kidney.
Advanced Kidney failure results in gradual accumulation of waste products and extra fluids in the body that healthy Kidneys would normally remove. When your Kidney functions falls to around 10% of that of a healthy Kidney , you may start experiencing the symptoms of Kidney failure. Some non-specific symptoms are :
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Insomnia (not being able to sleep) or needing more sleep
- Swelling
- Passing less urine than you normally would
WHAT DOES DIALYSIS DO ?
Dialysis removes excess waste products and excess fluids from your body. It also replaces certain substances in your body to a limited extent, balancing or normalising the levels of certain minerals also known as electrolytes. Dialysis also performs the important function of regulating your blood acidity, or pH level.
NORTH CITY NEPHROLOGY UNIT (DIALYSIS) :
North City Hospital provides a comprehensive Nephro Care across the spectrum of kidney diseases in this part of Kolkata – Eastern India. We take rigorous precaution and perform DIALYSIS for patients with the most advanced DIALYSIS UNIT of Kolkata with modern technology (The FRESENIUS – 4008S). We take care of our patients with round the clock supports departments like – Lab Services , Emergency Services, Radiology Services, and Critical Care Services. An eminent team including Nephrologist, Urologist, Anesthesiologist, and technical experts are available to meet the NEPHRO CARE in totality with minimum chances of infection.