Diabetes Mellitus (DM), the commonest form of diabetes can affect kidneys in several ways – it can predispose to urinary tract infection, it can cause the reduced blood supply to the kidney by narrowing of the blood vessels supplying the kidneys and it can cause the death of a part of the kidney called papilla. Most importantly it can interfere with the function of filters within the kidneys (called glomeruli) resulting in progressively increasing protein leak in urine (proteinuria) and irreversible loss of kidney function over a period of several years (diabetic nephropathy). All these effects can lead to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Rest of the discussion will focus predominantly on diabetic nephropathy as it is the commonest kidney involvement in DM.
How common is kidney failure due to diabetes mellitus? DM is the commonest cause of CKD all over the world (and in India too). Around one-third of patients on dialysis for CKD have DM; also one third of patients having DM develop CKD. How long does it take to cause kidney disease? DM takes a minimum about 5 – 7 years to affect the kidney. The diagnosis of DM may be delayed if it is silent or not associated with the symptoms at the beginning; often we see patients with shorter duration of DM developing CKD related to DM. What are the symptoms of kidney problem in a diabetic? The early symptoms of kidney involvement in a diabetic patient are froth in urine and swelling of face, legs and abdomen. With worsening in kidney function, patients may have reduced urine output, increase in blood pressure, and loss of appetite, vomiting, tiredness, breathlessness and frequent episodes of low sugar (hypoglycemia). BUT PLEASE BE AWARE that the kidney involvement in a diabetic patient can be silent and all patients with DM should undergo periodic screening for urine and blood testing for proteinuria and serum creatinine. Diabetic eye disease (Diabetic Retinopathy) is invariably associated with diabetic nephropathy and patients who have diabetic retinopathy should undergo urine and blood tests for kidney disease. How do you detect kidney damage? Normally there is no protein leak in urine and the routine urine test will report this finding as nil or trace protein; DM over a period of years can cause closure of capillary loops within the filter units resulting first in progressively increasing proteinuria and subsequently progressive reduction in kidney function (kidney function can be calculated with certain mathematical formulae that require estimation of serum creatinine). It is possible to diagnose kidney involvement in DM at the earliest stage by doing urine test for microalbumin – this test will detect the presence of smallest quantities of albumin (a form of protein) even before routine urine test can detect its presence in urine. What are the treatment options available once severe kidney failure happens? Dialysis and Renal Transplantation are the available treatment options for patients with advanced CKD. There are two forms of dialysis: Hemodialysis (HD) and Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD).
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Your thyroid is in the shape of a small butterfly, and is usually found inside the lower front of your neck. It’s a gland that controls your metabolism. It also releases hormones that direct many functions in your body, including how your energy is used, how you produce heat, and how you consume oxygen. Thyroid cancer develops when cells change or mutate. The abnormal cells begin multiplying in your thyroid and once there are enough of them, they form a tumor. Types of Thyroid Cancer Four types of thyroid cancer have been identified:
What are the symptoms? If you have thyroid cancer, you probably can’t trace any signs of it in the early stages. Some of the symptoms of thyroid cancer are:
Inherited genetic syndromes: Some conditions, including cancer, come from the DNA you get from your parents. Iodine deficiency: If you don’t get much of this chemical element in your diet, you could be at more risk for certain types of thyroid cancer. Radiation exposure: If your head or neck was exposed to radiation treatment as a child. Is it treatable? Thyroid cancer treatment is usually very treatable, even if you have more advanced stage of it. That’s effective treatments that give you a great chance for a full recovery. And surgery, when it’s needed, can sometimes cure it. At NU Hospitals, you will be well diagnosed under the supervision of some of the best thyroid surgeons with the right kind of thyroid cancer treatment. After returning home, you want to resume ‘normal living’. If you feel like going for a movie, or any social occasion, DO IT! If you’d like to have friends visit you at home, that’s OK too! Try as much as possible to return to your normal routine.
However, the key is moderation and measuring your limits. Initially, you might have less energy but with time your body will heal and adjust to your new medications. There are also many things you should consider in your life after kidney transplant surgery that involve taking care of your new kidney. Diet and exercise If you were on dialysis before your transplant, you will notice a difference in what you can eat and drink once your new kidney has been transplanted. You will still need to eat foods low in salt and fat to prevent high blood pressure, and if you have diabetes, you need to watch your blood sugar. Exercise can help improve your heart and lung health, prevent weight gain, etc. Anxiety, depression and mental health Getting a kidney transplant isn’t a cakewalk, it’s normal to undergo all kinds of emotions afterward. If you’re experiencing feelings of anxiety, depression or guilt, please don’t consider yourself alone, many transplant patients experience these feelings at first, for many reasons.
Returning to work If you are planning on going back to work, your transplant team may advise you to wait three to six weeks after your surgery. You will also be given certain limits on what you should do. Keeping your new kidney healthy To keep yourself healthy, and to make sure your new kidney works well, follow the below points: Take your immunosuppressant and other medicines exactly how your doctor will advise you.
Consult at NU Hospitals because it offers one of the best kidney transplant surgeries in Bangalore. While the only way to know if you have kidney disease is to get tested, but here are 7 possible signs that prove that you may have kidney disease. If you’re at risk for kidney disease due to high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of kidney failure or if you’re older than age 60, it’s important to get kidney treatment at regular intervals. Be sure to mention any symptoms of kidney failure to your doctor.
A severe decrease in kidney function can lead to a buildup of toxins and impurities in the blood. This can cause people to feel tired and weak. Another complication of kidney disease is anemia, which can cause weakness and fatigue.
When the kidneys aren’t filtering properly, toxins stay in the blood rather than leaving the body through the urine. This can cause difficulty in sleeping. There is also a link between obesity and chronic kidney disease. So it’s important to keep a check of your weight.
Healthy kidneys do many important jobs. They help in removing wastes and extra fluid from your body. Dry and itchy skin can be a sign of the mineral and bone disease that often accompanies advanced kidney disease, when the kidneys are no longer able to keep the right balance of minerals and nutrients in your blood.
If you feel the need to urinate more often, especially at night, this can be a sign of kidney disease. When the kidney filters are damaged, it can cause an increase in the urge to urinate.
Healthy kidneys typically keep the blood cells in the body when filtering wastes from the blood to create urine, but when the kidney’s filters have been damaged, these blood cells can start to leak out into the urine.
Decreased kidney function can lead to sodium retention, causing swelling in your feet and ankles.
This can be a general symptom but a buildup of toxins resulting from reduced kidney function can be one of the causes. Equipped with some of the finest kidney specialists and world-class amenities, NU Hospitals has positioned itself as one of the best kidney hospitals in India. When your kidneys aren’t working the way they should, waste and extra fluids build up in your body. Dialysis is one way to treat this problem, but kidney transplant surgery is also a choice. Still, it might be a complex surgery. Here’s what you should know before you decide if it’s right for you.
How do I get a Donor Kidney? If your surgeon thinks a kidney transplant Treatment is an option for you, he’ll have to undergo certain exams, X-rays, and scans to make sure you’re healthy enough to go through the transplant process. There are two different ways you can get a healthy kidney. The first is through what’s known as a ‘living donor’. This might be a family member or close friend who is willing to give you one of their kidneys. Or, it could be a stranger who’s willing to give you one of theirs. The second way you could get a kidney is from a deceased organ donor. What happens during a surgery? You’ll be given anesthesia so you stay asleep the whole time. Then, the surgeon will make an opening in your abdomen. Your own kidneys won’t be removed unless they’re infected or causing pain, but the donor kidney will be put in. Its blood vessels will be attached. The opening will be closed with stitches. A small drain may be put into your abdomen to get rid of any extra fluid that’s built up during the surgery. What the recovery like? You may be able to get out of bed and walk around the day after your kidney transplant. Although you should start to feel much better in about two weeks, you won’t be able to lift any heavy objects for about a month. You’ll recover faster if you stay active. Giving up smoking and alcohol are key to staying healthy. Consult at NU Hospitals for a premium kidney transplant treatment for it is known to be one of the best kidney transplant hospitals in India. The first step in treating head and neck cancer is to determine the stage of cancer. Stage I and II cancers are usually small and have not spread from their original location. These are usually curable. Stage III and IV cancers have usually spread to nearby lymph nodes and are large tumors. Usually, they require more complicated treatment and have a smaller chance of cure, but most are potentially curable.
The three main courses of treatment for head and neck cancers are radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy. Surgery: Surgeons may remove the tumor and a margin of surrounding tissue. Lymph nodes in the neck and may also be removed if it is suspected that the cancer has spread. Surgery on the head and neck areas may alter the patient’s ability to chew, talk and swallow. For this, the patient might need speech therapy as well. Radiation therapy: This involves the use of high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. This may be done by placing radioactive materials into the body near the cancer cells. Radiation therapy can have side effects, such as sores or irritation in the treated area, difficulty in swallowing or tasting, loss of saliva, decreased appetite. Chemotherapy: This treatment involves the use of anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It is more commonly used for advanced stage head and neck cancers. Side effects include sores in the mouth, loss of appetite, vomiting, dizziness, joint pain and hair loss. Patients should consult with a physician about how to treat these side effects. NU Hospitals has the best set of head and neck surgeons in Bangalore and it is also known to be one of the finest head and neck surgery hospitals in India. Stones usually pass from the kidneys, and finally through the urethra on their own without causing any pain. They develop primarily when you do not feel the urge to urinate often. Both the genders can develop stones in their lifetime- the common age group being 35-60+.
Let us take some of the queries related to removal of kidney stones: Does one need kidney stone surgery for removal of stone? This entirely depends on the location, size of the stone and the damage it is causing to our kidneys. A small stone of around the size of 6mm or less, which is in the urinary tube not causing much of swelling of the kidney, can be managed medically. You won’t be requiring surgery but you have to be under medical supervision. On the contrary, larger stones in the ureter causing swelling of the kidney or infection require immediate removal by ureteroscopy and Holmium LASER. Small obstructing stones in the kidney also require removal either by shock waves that is crushing the stones from outside. Though this method is not as effective. Large kidney stones can be removed by a small hole through the skin. This method is called Per Cutaneous Nephro Lithotripsy (PCNL). Will one get kidney stones again? There is high probability that one gets the stone again in his life time. Almost 40% patients can develop second stone in their lifetime. Therefore, it’s better if one undergoes a regular check up with the doctor. Will they damage the kidneys? Stones which block the kidney, whether they are in kidney or ureter and cause swelling of the kidney can gradually damage the kidney function. Stones can also cause recurrent infection in urinary tract which can further damage the renal function. Equipped with matchless technologies and a set of well-learned surgeons making NU Hospitals one of the best to provide kidney stone treatments in Bangalore. Bladder stones are caused when minerals build up in the bladder and form into small ‘stones’. Mostly affecting older males, bladder stones can be uncomfortable. Basically, the leftover urine becomes concentrated and minerals within the liquid turn into crystals. Sometimes, these stones will be passed while they are very small. Other times, bladder stones can get stuck to the wall of the bladder or ureter.
Symptoms:
Prevention: As bladder stones are caused by a range of medical illnesses, there are no specific ways to prevent them. However, if an individual experiences any odd urinary symptoms- pain, discoloration, blood- getting an earlier medical opinion is advised. Some of the techniques include:
These techniques are often beneficial and help to stop the formation of Kidney stones with minimal adverse effects on the individual. Backed by a set of erudite surgeons and world-class facilities, NU Hospitals has proven itself to provide one of the best bladder and renal stones treatments in India. Our kidneys are responsible for a variety of critical tasks, including blood filtration, regulation of blood pressure and hemoglobin levels. Kidney failure, also known as Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), implies permanent damage which is both progressive and irreversible, to the kidneys. This disease impairs all the functions of the kidneys. This aggravates various other conditions such as blood pressure, anemia and bone disease.
What leads to kidney failure? These common risk factors are:
SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE The common signs and symptoms include:
By the time the symptoms manifest themselves, it is usually too late and the kidneys are already severely damaged. Therefore, it is vital not to wait for the symptoms to appear before a kidney checkup. Kidney Failure Treatment Options The treatment for CKD depends on the stage of the disease. The first three stages are early onset stages where the underlying cause must be treated and no specific medicines for kidney failure is administered. Quitting smoking is a very important step. Any instances of kidney or urinary infections must be looked into at the earliest. In the advanced stages, the kidney function may be reduced by as much as 60-70%. In these cases, there should be more emphasis on controlling the blood pressure and things which are harmful to the kidneys. There are certain medications such as Angiostein-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and Angiostein Receptor Blockers which are proven to prevent further progression. In stage 5, where the kidney damage exceeds 80-90%, medications do not have any effect and the only solutions are either dialysis, or, if the patient is fit enough, a kidney transplant. Regular physical activity can help control the blood pressure, sugar levels, keeps the weight under control, all of which help in preventing further progression of this disease. Moderate exercises like walking, cycling etc. is definitely beneficial in the early stages. As the kidney disease worsens beyond stage 4, the prospect of kidney failure becomes very real and it needs to be controlled with specific medications and certain dietary changes such as reduced salt and fluid intake and checking for any signs of heart problems. When the kidney fails, the only treatment options are kidney dialysis and transplant. In the unfortunate eventuality of requiring a dialysis or transplant, a modern, well-equipped hospital makes a world of difference. NU Hospitals is a state-of-the-art kidney care hospital that has the all the necessary facilities and experienced specialists to successfully manage the most complex renal conditions. India has emerged as the hub of medical tourism in the world owing to a potent combination of cutting-edge facilities, highly skilled doctors and above all, it’s relatively low cost of treatment compared to other developed nations, making it a preferred destination for many affluent foreigners seeking high quality but cost-effective medical treatment for their ailments. India ranks particularly high in the list for people of other nations seeking treatment in the fields of cardiology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics and organ transplants, and also in allied fields such as preventive, wellness and alternative medicine.
Medical tourism in India is fast emerging as one of the fastest growing segments of tourism sector. Estimates indicate that more than 500,000 foreign patients avail treatment in India, drawn to the high-end infrastructure of India’s famed multi specialty corporate hospitals. To facilitate a better international patient care service and experience, the Indian government has enabled visa-on-arrival for travellers from certain countries, allowing them to stay in India for up to 30 days for the treatment. NU Hospitals has made a name for itself in the fields of nephrology, urology and fertility care, and in fact is India’s first hospital to be NABH and NABL accredited in these specialties. It is equipped with ultra-modern infrastructure and trained healthcare personnel in order to provide the best standards of care across all its facilities- Padmanabhanagar and Rajajinagar in Bangalore, Ambur and Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu and Male in Maldives. In the field of infertility treatment, NU Hospitals possesses top-of-the-line IVF laboratory and experienced specialists for providing systematic treatment under one roof. It also has other hallmarks of international patient care hospitals in its fields of operation, including pediatric-specific imaging and investigation facilities, pediatric uro-dynamics capability, an active cadaver transplantation program, specialty education programs for renal disorders and much more! Through our consistent service and rigorous emphasis on clinical excellence, we have carved a niche for ourselves for offering the best international patient services in India. |
AuthorNU hospitals is a tertiary care center for nephrology, urology and IVF treatments. Archives
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