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Every 9th Pole suffers from it, and as many as 95% of them are not aware of it. Kidney disease is not sudden, but develops chronically, initially with no symptoms. Disturbing symptoms often indicate advanced failure. Where to go for help What are the newest treatments for kidney disease?
Chronically diseased kidneys as a civilization disease
Regular preventive examinations are one of the factors that allow us to react in time to any alarming results that deviate from the accepted norms. We systematically check the work of the heart, the condition of teeth and skin, and even the liver, but we still forget about the kidneys, the paired organ that plays many key functions in our body. Their role is primarily to filter the blood, remove unnecessary metabolic products and ensure the correct concentration of electrolytes in the blood.
According to doctors, the kidneys are one of the organs most neglected by Poles. No wonder that there is already talk of a silent epidemic of kidney diseases, and their failure is referred to as a civilization problem (similarly to diabetes and arterial hypertension). Unfortunately, due to non-specific symptoms (or their absence at the initial stage of the disease development), most patients remain undiagnosed. Ailments that are an alarm signal for the patient and force them to visit a nephrologist, often indicate advanced renal failure. Unfortunately, the main indications at this stage are dialysis or kidney transplantation.
What are the most common symptoms of kidney disease?
The most common symptoms of kidney disease are:
- pain localized in the lower back (lumbar spine),
- nausea and vomiting
- blood in the urine
- swelling, mainly around the ankles and wrists
- frequent urination, also at night,
- high blood pressure
- itchy skin
- intense smell of urine and / or its cloudy color,
- baking during micturition.
Underestimating the symptoms gradually and unfortunately effectively destroys the entire body. The toxins accumulated in the body damage the physiological cellular mechanisms that occur in many organs, including the brain. This results in a deterioration of the ability to concentrate, poor mood, greater sleepiness and chronic fatigue.
As you can see, all these symptoms are not very specific and can be blamed on a stressful lifestyle or a minor urinary tract infection. It is also worth remembering that the kidneys, as an organ, do not hurt because they are devoid of sensory nerves. This could explain why doctors in Poland have such a big problem with treating these diseases. Therefore, it is so important to make the public aware of the need for systematic prophylactic examinations of this organ, including, in particular, a general urine test, ultrasound and determination of creatinine concentration. These are the basic parameters that will allow you to assess whether the kidneys are working properly.
Diagnostics and prophylaxis = a chance for life
Prophylactic examinations are a chance for quick detection of kidney pathology. It’s a good idea to run a complete kidney profile which includes a simple urine and blood test. It allows the assessment of parameters such as the level:
- creatinine (when the kidneys are not working properly, this compound is not removed from the body and accumulates in large amounts in the blood plasma),
- urea (when it is too high it may be a sign of kidney failure),
- potassium and sodium (these electrolytes are responsible for the proper hydration of the body and are also necessary in the process of transmitting nerve impulses),
- uric acid (it accumulates in excess in people on a high-protein diet).
It is equally important to check the level of albumin and the ACR ratio (albumin / creatinine). In this way, it is possible to verify possible damage to the kidney’s filtration barrier. If the results of preventive examinations are of concern to the doctor, he usually also orders an ultrasound. This allows for the detection of structural changes in the kidneys, including tumors, cysts, hydronephrosis, deposits in the cup-pelvic system, or narrowing of the renal artery.
Methods of treating kidney diseases in Poland
The method of treatment depends on the type of disease and its severity. Sometimes short-term antibiotic therapy or the implementation of specially selected pharmacological measures is enough. In some cases, it may be necessary to break down kidney stones or deposits in the renal pelvis or ureters.
In advanced renal failure, the indication is dialysis, which, although saving the patient’s life, is a heavy burden for him, because they tie the patient to the place of residence or the dialysis center.
Living or deceased kidney transplants are of great hope for patients with nephrological problems. Transplantation extends the patient’s life twice,
What are dialysis?
Dialysis is a procedure of purifying colloidal solutions from harmful substances, using a semi-permeable membrane. This method is intended to replace the work of a properly functioning kidney. Thanks to dialysis, it is possible to remove toxins, drug metabolites, and all substances that would be removed in the urine under physiological conditions.
There are two types of dialysis:
- hemodialysis – performed extracorporeal. This procedure is performed in the case of advanced kidney disease. Blood is passed through the so-called artificial kidney, which results in the removal of all unnecessary and harmful substances. As a result, blood pressure is regulated and electrolytes achieve homeostasis. Hemodialysis is performed 3 times a week at a dialysis station and lasts about 5 hours at a time. During this time, approx. 50 liters of blood flows through the artificial kidney,
- peritoneal – that is, in the abdominal cavity of the dialyzed person. The peritoneal membrane, i.e. the peritoneum, behaves like a filter, and the dialysis fluid is distinguished by a chemical composition that allows molecules of a certain diameter to penetrate freely. A catheter is used for the procedures, and it is implanted about 2 months before the dialysis is due. This type of surgery is performed at the patient’s home.
The big downside to dialysis is its duration. The exact frequency depends on the doctor’s decision, however, it can last up to 15 hours a week in total. It is uncomfortable for the patient and means giving up many aspects of his life.
Kidney transplantation extends life twice
A lot of hope is currently seen in modern transplantology. Thanks to technological advances, operations are both effective and safe. Collection of a kidney from a living donor for transplantation is nowadays often performed by laparoscopy or with the use of manual assistance, and therefore minimally invasive.
Unfortunately, too few transplants are still performed in Poland. The percentage of transplants from living donors in our country is approx. 5%, which, compared to the Scandinavian countries (approx. 50%), is not a very optimistic result. According to doctors, what influences such an outcome is mainly the lack of social awareness, not only among patients but also among medical staff.
Kidney transplantation is currently the best solution for the patient. According to statistics, the 10-year survival of a recipient from kidney transplantation from a living donor oscillates around 87%, and that of a deceased donor – 74%. Moreover, transplantation of such an organ extends life twice as compared to dialysis and thus improves its quality.
It is best when the donor is the closest family member of the patient, e.g. brother, sister, father or mother. However, there is no need for family ties between the donor and the recipient. The organ can also be donated by an unrelated person who has an emotional relationship with the patient, e.g. a spouse. Distant family members, friends or partners must obtain a positive opinion from the Ethics Committee of the National Transplant Council. Before offering such a valuable gift, the donor must, however, undergo a number of diagnostic and laboratory tests, including tissue compatibility assessment.