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Kidney failure has become a relatively common medical condition in the United States due to a rise in the prevalence of diet and exercise related diseases over the past several years. Generally, people spend very little time considering the important role that the kidneys play and the actions that can be taken to reduce the risk of kidney damage. Awareness of what the kidneys do and how they can be harmed tends to increase dramatically once someone has developed end stage renal disease and is faced with the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. Increasing public awareness through education may help reduce the trend towards a greater dependence on long-term treatments like dialysis. The kidneys are critical to the maintenance of a healthy balance of fluid and nutrients in the body. The bloodstream, within the average human, passes through the kidneys many times each day carrying with it wastes that have the potential of causing serious harm to the body if they are not excreted. As the blood passes through the kidneys, excess water and waste are allowed to leave while useful nutrients are reabsorbed into the blood. When the kidneys are damaged by diseases, they can no longer maintain a healthy balance and the body begins to deteriorate. Dialysis is often required to restore a part of the filtration process that would normally be performed by the kidneys. Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure in the United States today. This condition can be divided into two groups depending on the way in which it occurs. Type 1 Diabetes results when the immune system attacks the insulin producing cells of the pancreas causing them to stop producing insulin. Type 2 Diabetes results when the body's cells become unresponsive to the insulin that is being produced by the pancreas. In both cases, a harmful level of sugar is allowed to circulate through the blood causing damage to many different organs. Poorly controlled diabetes can result in end stage renal disease and possibly even a kidney transplant. It is important for dialysis technicians and other clinical staff to understand the importance of diabetes in kidney failure so that they can educate patients on what can be done to manage the disease. Patients are often unfamiliar with how the kidneys work and how they can be damaged. Since dialysis technicians spend so much time with patients, they are in an excellent position to inform patients about many different aspects of their illness. Many patients are more willing to cooperate with treatment and comply with the prescribed therapy once they understand what is happening in their body. High blood pressure is another major cause of kidney failure in the United States. There are many different reasons for why an individual might develop high blood pressure, but poor diet and lack of exercise are two of the most common. The consumption of foods high in salt along with a sedentary lifestyle in the United States has led to large numbers of people who are well above their healthy body weight and who suffer from numerous diet and exercise related illnesses. Medical professionals who are aware of this fact are in a better position to inform patients about changes that they can make in their life that can reduce the risk of requiring long-term care. In addition, individuals who have high blood pressure can be placed on medications that have been developed to help reduce the blood pressure. The combined effect of a healthy diet, regular exercise, and medications can help patients avoid the complications of end stage renal disease so that they can live a happier and healthier life. While no amount of treatment can fully replace the damage that is caused by diabetes and high blood pressure, many patients find that they are able to go on living a reasonably healthy life. Dialysis patients also become an important resource for educating others about the potential negative consequences of a poor diet and a lack of exercise. Through the combined efforts of patients and healthcare professionals, it is believed that future cases of kidney failure can be prevented. ATTENTION: Click here to read a letter from from a fellow CKD sufferer "“How The Birth Of My Grandson, A Petrifying Doctor’s Visit, And A Fall Down The Stairs… …Led Me To Repairing And Safeguarding My Damaged Kidneys To Give Me New Hope And A Brighter Looking Future!” Without the use of expensive drugs, kidney surgery, or increased doctor visits… This proven and tested method lowers creatinine levels, improves kidney function, and safeguards your kidneys from future damage…Naturally! click here to find out how...
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renal disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, dialysis technician,
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