After Kidney Failure, Then What?

By Dr. Mubasher Rana

In my 17 years of treating patients for kidney-related diseases, I often think of one patient of mine whose kidneys failed when she was in her 20s. She had untreated diabetes, which eventually caused her kidneys to stop working.

Your kidneys have the important job of filtering waste products and extra fluids out of your body and flushing them from your body as urine. When your kidneys don’t work properly, wastes build up in your blood and make you sick. When kidneys fail, there are two treatments: dialysis, a treatment that removes toxic substances from blood by means of a machine, or kidney transplant. Most patients with kidney failure go through dialysis treatment, as the wait for a kidney transplant often takes years.

People who go through dialysis face many challenges because it eats up a good chunk of their daily lives. A treatment could last for a couple of hours, and needs to be had three times a week. Many patients complain of tiredness after a treatment.

This lifestyle change can also have a difficult financial effect. However, every dialysis unit should have a social worker and dietician. The social worker can help you manage the paperwork, make a plan for how you will get to and from the clinic and also help you manage the costs of treatment and any medications. The dietician can work with you to create a nutrition plan.

Despite all that, this patient of mine not only came in for her dialysis regularly, she also continued attending school full time. And she took care of her three children. She eventually received a kidney transplant and is now teaching full time.

I am telling you her story because she demonstrated that with determination you could lead a fairly full life after kidney failure. Between 30 and 40 percent of kidney failure is caused by diabetes, and a similarly high percentage is caused by hypertension. But studies show that people who take good care of their diabetes and hypertension can delay, and even prevent, the onset of kidney failure.

Here are some tips on how to do that:

- Work with your doctor to create a diet plan.

- Stick to low sodium, low potassium, low sugar and low phosphorous foods.

- Eat meals at fixed times.

- Rest when needed.

- Take your prescribed medications.

Dr. Mubasher Rana is the Chief of Nephrology at the Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek Medical Center. Email Dr. Rana at .

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This advertorial is written by Kaiser Permanente physicians based on their experiences. Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and produced by NAM InfoWire.