KundanKidneyCare - Kundan Kidney Care Centre

An American medical study spanning several generations may have inadvertently discovered significant blood markers that will one day help predict whether a person will experience Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The Framington Heart Study has been conducted since 1948 by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Framington, Massachusetts. And some unexpected results that relate to CKD were published in theJournal of the American Society of Nephrology on October 21, 2010.

A new blood test for kidney disease?

The main test currently used to detect CKD is a test for creatinine in the blood. Unfortunately, though, creatinine only noticeably accumulates after the kidneys have already lost much of their function. If the new study’s results can be reproduced and further validated, they will provide ways of detecting CKD much earlier, meaning treatment can also begin earlier, thereby possibly saving the kidneys and preventing further damage.

The 2,300 study participants gave blood samples between 1995 and 1998, with normal kidney function. The odd thing was that since the study was mainly concerned with the heart, the focus was not at first on kidney disease at all. Yet when 9.5 percent of participants had developed CKD within a decade, with another eight percent having reduced kidney function, researchers examined six blood markers from the original samples to check for correlations. Two of these – homocysteine, which builds proteins, and aldosterone, dealing with how kidneys handle salt, had elevated levels, as did B-type natriuretic peptide, which also can indicate heart damage.

This doesn’t mean doctors can now simply test for these markers and immediately predict CKD. For one thing, the study must be replicated, widening beyond the largely European-descended group originally tested. But if these results hold true in future clinical studies, they may provide a way both of testing early for CKD, and taking steps to prevent and treat it.

(Further reading: Times of India, October 22, 2010; Medscape Today, October 21, 2010; My Health News Daily, October 21, 2010)

Kidney Disease, Kundan Kidney Care Centre, Risk Factors

Kidney Disease and St. Patrick’s Day

KundanKidneyCare March 15, 2015

The month of March brings some interesting coincidences for many people with full-blown kidney disease or kidneys that are at risk. March is designated as National Kidney Month in the United States, or Kidney Health Month in Canada. March 10th is also World Kidney Day. And especially in North America, March 17th is celebrated as St. Patrick’s Day. The question is whether that celebration contradicts the message of the rest of the month, about kidney disease.

That depends how you celebrate the day. Although St. Patrick’s Day ostensibly honors the priest who brought Catholicism to Ireland, many people use it as an excuse to overindulge another activity unfairly associated with that country: the excessive drinking of alcohol. Such overindulgence is worrisome even for the health of people with undamaged kidneys. But for those who are already at some stage of kidney disease, excessive alcohol consumption can bring serious harm.

The symptoms of kidney disease often don’t show up until the kidneys are already compromised. So don’t assume that you have no kidney problems, just because you have no symptoms thus far. If you tend to over-drink, you’re already creating risks for kidney disease. For example, more than two drinks a day can raise the blood pressure, and the carbohydrate overload may lead to obesity and diabetes. All are well-known precursors to kidney problems. And the extra urination and interference with blood chemistry can make the kidneys unable to maintain the chemical balances they need.

With all this in mind, it’s undoubtedly best for a kidney patient not to over-drink on St. Patrick’s Day. But does that mean you can’t celebrate at all? You should decide what you really want out of this day. Do you regard it simply as an excuse to get drunk — or does it have other associations you could concentrate on?

Kidney patients already know that if they attend parties, or meet people at a pub or restaurant, they will retain certain dietary restrictions. Good friends and family should always be willing to accommodate a friend whose health is at risk. After all, it’s still possible to have a lot of fun wearing the green, going to a St. Patrick’s Day parade, and attending other activities. And following a kidney-healthy diet, you can still create special meals.

Despite some people’s belief, excessive drinking isn’t the only way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Have fun with your friends on the day, but remember that no celebration should ever require you to risk your health or life.

Kidney Disease, Risk Factors

Decrease in Diabetes-related Dialysis: Good News? Not so Fast.

KundanKidneyCare March 8, 2015

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has just released a report on the rates of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in persons diagnosed with diabetes. ESRD is the stage of kidney failure where the only possible treatment is either dialysis or a transplant, and according to this report, the rates of ESRD among diabetics wentdown thirty-five percent between 1996 and 2007. That’s good news — sort of. But unfortunately, there’s more to the story than that apparent decline.

The problem is that the number of people with ESRD actually went up over that period. In 1996, a total of 32,716 began ESRD treatments, while in 2007, that number had risen to 48,712. The only reason the total percentages were lower is that the number of patients diagnosed with diabetes skyrocketed even more over that decade. So while it’s a good thing that a lower percentage of diabetics are ending up with ESRD — at the moment, anyway — there are still more people with drastic kidney failure than there used to be.

This means that nobody should pat themselves on the back. Steps still need to be taken to reduce and ultimately prevent the incidence of diabetes, and there is still a clear connection between diabetes and kidney disease. The writers of the CDC report speculate that the lower percentage of diabetic ESRD sufferers may be due to better treatments for kidney problems, or some extra attention to risk factors.

But the CDC report points out that the primary risk factors still need considerable attention. The report writers provide a disturbing list:

In addition to diabetes and hypertension, risk factors for kidney disease include cardiovascular disease, obesity, elevated cholesterol, increasing age, and a family history of kidney disease.

While it’s good news that a slightly lower percentage of diabetics are ending up with ESRD, the underlying causes are still there, and still need urgent attention.

(Further Reading: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; MedPage Today;Bloomburg Businessweek – HealthDay)

Kidney Disease, Kundan Kidney Care Centre, Risk Factors

What Teenagers with Kidney Diseases Should Know about Lipids

KundanKidneyCare February 20, 2015

Being a teenager is not easy. Teenagers deal with peer pressure, an increasing need for more independence, changes in the body, relationship issues (with parents, teachers and friends), among others. Teenagers are more worried about what to wear in the school dance than they would be about lipids! However, teenagers with Chronic Kidney Diseases have a higher risk of developing lipid and heart problems and should be aware of them to remain healthy and continue with activities they enjoy. It is important for teenagers to know about lipids!

So what are lipids? They are simply the fats in the bloodstream of your body. The common type is called cholesterol which the body makes and comes from foods like meats, poultry (eggs and chicken), and dairy (milk, cheeses, ice cream). Fruits, vegetables and grains are cholesterol free. Teenagers should keep in mind that there are good and bad cholesterols.

There are three major types of lipids: Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and the triglycerides. LDL is considered the bad cholesterol and is most likely to clog blood vessels and prevent the smooth blood flow in the system. HDL, on the other hand, is the good type of cholesterol which transports cholesterol away from the heart and blood and then back to the liver. From there, the cholesterol breaks down and sent to different parts of the body. Meanwhile, triglycerides are the stored fat in the body. High triglycerides do not clog blood vessels but may lead to diabetes or high blood sugar and can cause pancreas disorder.

LDL builds up in the blood results to the formation of plaque (fatty deposits) in the walls of the arteries. Plaque makes the arteries thicker, harder and narrower which decreases blood flow. Hardening of arteries in the heart leads to a heart attack or stroke.

People should always maintain a healthy level of cholesterol to prevent hardening of the arteries, high blood sugar or disorder of the pancreas. For teenagers the healthy levels of lipids are the following: total cholesterol is less than 200, LDL is less than 130, HDL is above 40, triglycerides are less than 150. Doctors measure blood lipids through tests. Haemodialysis patients are advised to have the lipid tests before dialysis while peritoneal dialysis patients are advised to
have the test in the morning. Another way to checks for healthy lipids is through the non-HDL test where the doctor subtracts the HDL from the total cholesterol. Lipids should be checked yearly or about 2 -3 months after a change in treatment.

Unhealthy lipids are caused by obesity, history of cholesterol problems or heart disease, diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol, not having enough exercise and excessive alcohol. To improve unhealthy levels just do the opposite of everything that’s causing it! Lose excess weight, follow a low-fat and low cholesterol diet, exercise regularly and minimize alcohol intake.

Teenagers will find it helpful to discuss what they have learned about lipids with their parents, and keep the communication line open especially with CKD issues. It is never easy living with a disease, and it complicates matters when hormones are changing. But awareness is key to remain healthy and continue with activities you enjoy as a teenager.*

Kidney Disease

The Role of Oxygen in Kidney Disease Symptoms

KundanKidneyCare February 18, 2015

Thinking of the internal organs in isolation, one may not suspect loss of oxygen to be one a major factor in kidney disease. But the interconnection of bodily systems means that a problem starting in one organ can have far-reaching and surprising effects in others. A lack of oxygen is one problem that can begin with the kidneys, but go on to affect the lungs and brain as well.

Kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin that signals the production of red blood cells. If the kidneys are failing, they create less of this hormone, meaning the body produces lower numbers of these cells. And since those cells carry oxygen, the body eventually suffers from anemia, a lack of oxygen.

One sign of oxygen starvation may be weary muscles. These rely on the oxygen carried by red blood cells, so if they get less of this vital fuel, they work less efficiently. A person may experience increased fatigue long before he has any idea he has kidney disease. The lungs are another area that might be affected. If the body is starved of oxygen, this can lead to shortness of breath. The lungs can’t take enough oxygen into the cells reaching the lungs, nor can those cells expel enough carbon dioxide. Eventually, as well as causing shortness of breath, this builds up acidity in the system.

The most surprising symptoms of kidney disease and oxygen starvation, though, may appear in the brain. Without enough oxygen, a person’s concentration can be affected. She may become dizzy. There could even be difficulty in remembering things.

People associate kidney disease with more obvious signs: back ache or a change in urine frequency and color. But because of the interconnected bodily systems, kidney disease may be signalled as much by dizziness or fatigue from a lack of oxygen as by painful urination. Keeping an eye on the body’s complete general health is essential to the early detection of kidney disease.

Kidney Disease, Kundan Kidney Care Centre, Risk Factors

Detecting Kidney Disease – Stage Five

KundanKidneyCare February 12, 2015

Tacky Lab Equipment — Get those tests done — early!

Why is it so important to detect kidney disease in its early stages, even if it’s rather hard to diagnose? Because when you reach Stage 4, you are likely past the point of living without serious medical intervention or even a transplant. And by the time you arrive at Stage 5, you have virtually no other option. There is nothing else to do but plan for a transplant.

In Stage 5, the kidneys have only about 15% of function left – or less. At this point, if left on their own, they would be completely unable to keep the patient alive. Dialysis now becomes very important to filter the blood of impurities the kidneys can’t remove.

Most symptoms are the same as for Stage 4 or earlier, but multiplied considerably. The person experiences the same tendency to hypertension (high blood pressure) because of the inability to expel fluids. And because the heart is working that much harder as a result, the person may suffer pericarditis, which is an inflammation of the lining around that organ. There would now be very high levels of creatinine and urea, which the kidneys can’t filter out. And susceptibility to infections would also increase.

The inability to absorb calcium or for the kidneys to produce the chemical that stimulates production of red blood cells worsens. And therefore the reduction in bone density and the tendency toward anemia would continue to be a problem. Added to these symptoms would come others that might seem comparatively “minor,” but which could be aggravating. These include difficulty sleeping, shortness of breath, increased itching, or frequent vomiting.

Certain treatments can attempt to bring down blood pressure or reduce anemia, while dietary adjustments may allow more absorption of calcium. But now with such reduced filtering capacity, dialysis is usually the only way to cleanse the bloodstream of impurities. Some patients can survive for a long time with dialysis treatments, though the most common form of dialysis takes several hours, three days a week, and therefore restricts their lifestyle. But for others, dialysis may lose its effectiveness relatively quickly. And the best hope in both cases is for a kidney transplant.

There are usually signs of kidney disease well before things reach Stage 5. To maintain good health and never allow themselves to arrive at this stage, the wisest course for everyone is to have yearly, thorough checkups with detailed blood work, and to investigate even the most nebulous symptoms that might indicate kidney disease.

Kidney Disease, Kundan Kidney Care Centre, Risk Factors

Detecting Kidney Disease – Stage Four

KundanKidneyCare February 10, 2015

In previous entries, we’ve examined symptoms and effects of Stages One and Two of kidney disease, and then Stage Three, where things finally become noticeable and serious. In Stage Four of kidney disease, the symptoms start to be debilitating, and kidney function is severely impaired. In fact, at this stage, there is only 15-29% kidney function. The body may have disguised its condition for quite a while, but now the disease becomes drastically apparent.

The symptoms magnify things that had begun appearing in Stage Three: fatigue increases considerably, the appetite keeps declining, and an earlier phenomenon of itching might become much worse. High blood pressure continues to be problematic, because of course the kidneys have lost much of their capacity to excrete unneeded fluid, so it is retained in the body, making the heart and blood vessels work harder. And the kidneys may have trouble producing erythopoietin, which stimulates blood cell production, so anemia is another problem.

At Stage Four, a cascade of effects may produce other effects, all of which contribute to an increasing weakness and a worsening of symptoms. As the kidneys become less able to filter phosphate, the levels of that electrolyte increase. In turn, this makes it more difficult for the body to absorb calcium. And since it’s the proper interaction of phosphorous and calcium that strengthens bones, bone density itself may gradually decrease. This may produce aching in the bones, but it also leaves the person more prone to fractures, which take longer than usual to heal.

Treatments at this stage are many. Blood pressure is often treated with diuretics, though some of these can play havoc with potassium levels. Anemia can usually be successfully counteracted with drugs resembling erythopoietin. Medications may prevent bone disease, and much of the phosphorous/calcium imbalance can be reduced with diet.

But these are generally stop-gap measures. This is the stage where the patient begins heading in the direction of dialysis, and starts receiving consideration for a possible transplant. While the effects of Stage Four can be mitigated to some extent, the fact remains that the kidneys are so seriously diseased that the body can’t go on forever like this.

Again, it is extremely important to take good, thorough stock of one’s complete health every few months. The symptoms of kidney disease are easy to miss, in the stages when a person might do something about it.

Kidney Disease

Link Between Kidney Disease and Hearing Loss

KundanKidneyCare February 7, 2015

A study just released in the October 1, 2010 issue of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases has demonstrated an interesting correlation between kidney disease and hearing loss, particularly in people aged fifty and older.

This Reuters article, Moderate kidney disease linked to hearing loss, describes the findings:

In the study, of adults aged 50 years and older, 54 percent of people with moderate kidney disease had some extent of hearing loss, while 30 percent of those with the disease suffered severe hearing loss.

One reason this is significant is that for the general population in the same age range, the rate of hearing loss is only 18 percent. But even recognizing some kind of connection between this disease and the loss of one’s hearing, the next question is whether this link is causal, or merely coincidental.

According to the Australian authors of the study, the connection is not, in fact, a causal one. Kidney disease doesn’t cause the hearing loss, or vice versa. So what explains the correlation between them? Dr. David Harris, of the University of Sydney, is one of the study authors. He explains that there are “structural and functional similarities” between tissues in the kidney and the inner ear. So the same physical pressures, toxins, and risk factors that affect kidneys may also affect the inner ear.

Does this connection actually matter, then, if one problem doesn’t cause the other? Yes it does. If you experience some degree of hearing loss, you may be prompted to have your doctor check your kidney function, and detect potential disease much earlier. And if you have the disease, it may be useful to have your ears checked, to take much earlier steps to preserve your hearing.

Because of how the bodily systems interact, problems in one area can provide hints that there may be problems in others.

(Other source: Chronic Kidney Disease Might Affect Hearing, Bloomberg Businessweek, October 6, 2010)

Kidney Disease, Kundan Kidney Care Centre, Risk Factors

Detecting Kidney Disease – Stage Three

KundanKidneyCare February 5, 2015

We’ve discussed Stages One and Two of kidney disease, and what to look for, to get one’s condition diagnosed as quickly as possible. But as many people learn to their distress, the first two stages of this disease are not easily detected unless one looks and watches very carefully. The first clearly noticeable symptoms finally reveal themselves as the disease reaches Stage Three, when already the person has less than 60% kidney function remaining, and may have as little as 30%. Yet even then, the symptoms can often be mistaken for something else.

People can go on for a long time with such reduced kidney function, because some of the initial symptoms — tiredness and changes of appetite — are so vague that they could be caused by many other things. But when they are combined with other symptoms like itching, water retention, and anemia, this is when the pieces slowly fall into place. As the kidneys become less able to filter fluids and remove them from the body, more fluids are retained, and the person may experience swelling and puffiness. Even their urine may become more clear, because fewer impurities are being excreted.
Naturally this contributes to higher blood pressure. But the blood itself becomes more anemic, because it’s when the kidney releases the hormone erythropoietin (EPO) that red blood cells can be created. When the kidney can’t release as much EPO as it’s supposed to, the blood cell count goes lower and the patient becomes more anemic. In turn, the blood carries less oxygen and the body has to work harder in order to function. As a result, the person experiences greater and greater fatigue.

At this stage, the patient absolutely must take steps to reduce sodium in the diet and bring the blood pressure down. The higher the pressure, the more damage to vein walls, and the more damage to veins in the kidneys, the worse kidney function becomes. Adjustments must also be made to other elements of diet: protein will need to be reduced, though the patient can’t live completely without it. Patients may also need to take a phosphorus binder and vitamins that help boost kidney function. Working on these things with a knowledgeable dietitian is essential.

Even if earlier stages have been missed and the person has advanced well into Stage Three, it’s vital to get diagnosed as early as possible, to preserve what kidney function is left and prevent the disease from progressing any further.

Kidney Disease, Kundan Kidney Care Centre, Risk Factors

Detecting Kidney Disease – Stages One and Two

KundanKidneyCare February 2, 2015

Chronic Kidney Disease appears in five stages, ranging from an early stage with little obvious effect to a final stage where the patient is on life-saving dialysis or awaiting a transplant. Each stage has certain characteristics and means of detection. The more that people know the various signs and effects of being in each stage, the sooner they may get a proper diagnosis from their doctor. Early detection is the best key to effective treatment.

Stage One leaves the patient with 90% kidney function. The person can survive at this level, but it’s still necessary to detect the problem so causes and treatments can be addressed. If they don’t take steps at this point, the disease is very likely to progress to the next level. Stage Two leaves only 60-89% kidney function, as the damage to these organs has increased.

The difficulty is that there are no obvious symptoms of kidney dysfunction at either stage. This may lead to a lack of detection at a crucial time when the disease could have been nipped in the bud, or curtailed before it got much worse. So it’s essential that the person have their regular yearly physical checkups, including urine tests and extensive blood work. Even with no other physical symptoms, these tests can detect:

elevated creatinine levels (which indicate how well the kidneys are filtering out wastes)
elevated protein levels (another indication of inefficiency in filtering wastes)
elevated blood urea nitrogen levels (kidneys take urea from the blood and expel it in the urine, but if the blood levels are high, this is another hint of failing kidneys)

In addition to the potential for early detection with blood and urine tests, high blood pressure is a well known hint of problems with kidney function. The most often mentioned symptom is high blood pressure, which can either cause kidney disease, or be caused by it. So if a person’s blood pressure rises, this can be a spur to doing the urine and blood tests, either to detect kidney disease or rule it out. And all steps (medication, exercise, alterations in diet) must be taken to bring the blood pressure down.

If blood and urine tests indicate a possible problem, doctors can go further and take a kidney biopsy, do a CT scan, or perform an MRI. So even at these early stages, while it’s more difficult, it’s still possible to detect incipient kidney disease. What it takes is vigilance, and thorough, regular checkups.

Previous page 1 … 7 8 9 10 Next page

MAIL US TODAY

info@kundankidneycare.com

Kidney Hospital

HOSPITAL LOCATIONS

Jalandhar/Chandigarh

Author Archives: KundanKidneyCare

More Detailed Blood Test may one day predict Kidney Disease

Kidney Disease and St. Patrick’s Day

Decrease in Diabetes-related Dialysis: Good News? Not so Fast.

What Teenagers with Kidney Diseases Should Know about Lipids

The Role of Oxygen in Kidney Disease Symptoms

Detecting Kidney Disease – Stage Five

Detecting Kidney Disease – Stage Four

Link Between Kidney Disease and Hearing Loss

Detecting Kidney Disease – Stage Three

Detecting Kidney Disease – Stages One and Two