In my career as a nephrologist, I have met many patients with kidney failure. Kidney failure, especially when dialysis is required, often leaves patients feeling hopeless in life. However, my experience has taught me that the right treatment, coupled with a positive attitude towards life, can greatly improve a patient's quality of life and, in some cases, even prolong the patient's survival.
Mr. Li was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure two years ago, and he almost gave up on himself when he was first diagnosed. As a single middle-aged man, his first reaction was to give up in the face of such a heavy illness. Every time he came to see a doctor, his eyes revealed a deep helplessness and despair.
Through many exchanges, I gradually understood his psychological state and began to intervene in psychological counseling, while explaining in detail the necessity of treatment and the choice of treatment plan. We decided to go with a personalized medication plan and chose the most appropriate dialysis method for his specific condition.
During Mr. Lee's treatment, we not only paid attention to his physical condition, but also paid more attention to his mental health. By bringing in social workers and counsellors, we helped him build a support network, including sympathetic friends and family members who understood his condition.
We also adjusted his diet to limit sodium and protein intake, while adding necessary nutritional supplementation. The dialysis process has also gone from being a burden to a part of his daily routine, and he has learned how to organize his activities on both treatment and non-treatment days.
After a few months, Mr. Lee's condition stabilized and his attitude towards life changed dramatically. He began to take the initiative to learn about kidney disease, participated in various patient exchange meetings, and even began to share his experience in the community to encourage and help others.
Understand kidney failure and its effects
Kidney failure, a term that sounds daunting enough, refers to a condition in which the kidneys lose their normal function and are unable to effectively remove waste and excess water from the body and maintain a stable internal environment. Kidney failure not only affects the kidneys but can have a wide impact on the entire body, but understanding its basic concepts and responding promptly can greatly improve the patient's prognosis.
Classification of kidney failure
There are two types of kidney failure: acute kidney failure and chronic kidney failure:
Acute kidney failure: This form develops rapidly and is usually due to a sudden loss of kidney function due to a serious or unexpected event, such as physical trauma from an accident, after a major surgery, or severe dehydration.
Chronic kidney failure: This form develops more slowly and is in most cases a persistent deterioration in kidney function caused by long-term conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
Symptoms of kidney failure
Symptoms of kidney failure may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Changes in urine output: there may be a decrease in urine output or an increase in nocturnal urine output.
Edema: Because the kidneys can't remove excess fluid, it can cause swelling in the hands, feet, or face.
Fatigue: Waste products accumulated in the body can cause patients to feel abnormally tired.
Difficulty breathing: Fluid accumulation in the lungs can cause breathing problems.
Sleep problems: Waste accumulation can cause difficulty falling asleep or waking up during the night.
Loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting: common symptoms when toxin levels in the body are elevated.
Muscle twitching or cramping: caused by electrolyte imbalance.
Itchy skin: The accumulated waste products affect the normal function of the skin.
The potential harm of kidney failure
Untreated kidney failure can not only worsen physical symptoms, but can also cause a range of serious health problems, including:
Cardiovascular disease: Decreased kidney function increases the risk of heart disease and vascular disease.
Osteoporosis: People with kidney disease may experience abnormal calcium and phosphorus processing, leading to bone problems.
Anemia: Kidney failure affects the production of red blood cells, resulting in an anemia condition.
Electrolyte imbalances: Imbalances such as potassium and sodium can lead to other serious problems with bodily functions.
Uremia: If kidney failure is severe and untreated, toxins in the body can reach life-threatening levels.
Actively receiving treatment: a survival guideline for patients with renal failure
Kidney failure, a diagnosis that sounds chilling enough, often leads to poor or delayed treatment due to patient fears and misunderstandings. In fact, through aggressive treatment measures, many patients with kidney failure are able to effectively control their condition and even maintain a relatively normal life. This section will detail how to be aggressive in your treatment, including early diagnosis, choosing the right medical options, and understanding the importance of dialysis treatment.
The importance of early diagnosis
Early detection of kidney failure is critical and can dramatically increase the success rate of treatment. Renal function tests are recommended at least once a year, especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of genetic disease. Routine blood and urine tests can help your doctor assess how well your kidneys are functioning and identify potential problems.
Key metrics include:
血肌酐水平(Creatinine)
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Protein in the urine
As soon as abnormalities are found, further diagnosis and treatment by a nephrologist should be sought immediately.
Choice of medical options
Treatment options for kidney failure are varied, including medications, dialysis and kidney transplantation. The choice of treatment depends on the type of kidney failure (acute or chronic), its severity, and the patient's overall health.
Drugs are used to control symptoms and underlying conditions of kidney failure (such as hypertension and diabetes), and commonly used drugs include ACE inhibitors or ARBs to lower blood pressure and protect kidney function.
Kidney transplantation is the most effective treatment for kidney failure and can completely replace the function of the kidney, but it requires finding a suitable donor and is extremely complex with surgery and postoperative anti-rejection therapy.
Dialysis treatment explained
For most people with advanced kidney failure, dialysis is necessary to sustain life. There are two main forms of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
Hemodialysis: A machine that removes toxins and excess water from the blood at regular intervals, usually three times a week. Each session of dialysis takes about four hours. You can read, watch TV, or take a nap during dialysis.
Peritoneal dialysis: Using the peritoneum of the abdomen as a filtration device, dialysate is introduced through a tube implanted in the abdomen, which stays in the abdomen for several hours and is expelled to remove toxins and excess water. The advantage of this approach is that the patient can do it at home, which is more free and flexible.
When choosing a type of dialysis, patients should consider their lifestyle, health status and medical advice. Dialysis can save lives, but it can also have an impact on your daily life, so you should discuss it with your health care team in detail before starting treatment to find the treatment that works best for you.
Management of daily living: guidelines for improving quality of life in patients with renal failure
After a diagnosis of kidney failure, in addition to medical treatment, managing daily life is a key part of improving quality of life and controlling the progression of the disease. Reasonable lifestyle habits can greatly assist medical treatment and help patients maintain a stable state of health. Here are a few practical daily life management strategies for people with kidney failure.
Dietary modifications
1. Limit sodium intake:
Reducing salt intake is the first dietary principle for patients with kidney failure. Too much sodium can increase the burden on the kidneys and exacerbate edema, so it is recommended to take no more than 2 grams of sodium per day.
2. Control your potassium intake:
Hyperkalemia is a common complication of kidney failure, so it is necessary to control potassium intake through diet and avoid high-potassium foods such as bananas, oranges, potatoes, etc.
3. Adjust your protein intake:
Although protein is essential, people with kidney failure should reduce their intake of low-quality protein, choose high-quality protein (e.g., fish, chicken breast, egg white), and adjust their daily intake according to their doctor's recommendations.
4. Reduce water intake:
Controlling water intake can prevent edema and increased burden on the heart. Specific water limits should be adjusted based on the patient's urine output and fluid retention.
5. Avoid excessive phosphorus intake:
Patients with renal failure should limit their phosphate intake to prevent osteoporosis due to elevated blood phosphate. Avoid foods high in phosphorus such as dairy products, nuts, etc.
Exercise and rest
1. Moderate Physical Activity:
Moderate exercise such as walking, yoga can help patients maintain physical vitality and mental health, but strenuous exercise should be avoided to avoid excessive fatigue.
2. Get plenty of rest:
Getting enough sleep (7-8 hours per night) helps the body recover and reduces the burden on the kidneys. It is recommended to go to bed before 10 p.m. and maintain a regular sleep pattern.
Maintenance of mental health
1. Develop a Positive Mindset:
Facing a diagnosis of kidney failure may be anxious and frustrating, and it is advisable to adjust your mindset through counseling, joining a support group, or communicating with family and friends.
2. Social Activities:
Participating in social activities can reduce feelings of loneliness and depression, such as attending community events or communicating in online kidney disease support groups.
3. Family and Social Support:
The understanding and support of family members is essential to the patient's mental health. Family members can be involved in the patient's day-to-day care, providing necessary help and encouragement.