When the kidneys no longer work as diligently as usual, many people may think that the countdown of life has quietly begun. However, under the protection of modern medicine, especially the rapid development of kidney transplantation and dialysis technology, many patients with end-stage kidney disease can not only continue their lives, but also continue to shine on the stage of life.
On this road to fighting kidney disease, the active participation and self-management of patients have become the key to improving the quality of life and prolonging life. Today, let’s take a deep look at the 8 major management points that patients who still live well after their kidneys “go on strike” follow.
On this road to fighting kidney disease, the active participation and self-management of patients have become the key to improving the quality of life and prolonging life. Today, let’s take a deep look at the 8 major management points that patients who still live well after their kidneys “go on strike” follow.
- 1. Dialysis adequacy: Purifier of life Dialysis, as an important way of kidney replacement therapy, its adequacy is directly related to the patient’s quality of life. Urea clearance index (Kt/V) and urea reduction rate (URR) are the gold standards for measuring dialysis effects. Ensuring adequate dialysis means effectively removing toxins from the body and reducing the risk of death. For patients who do not meet the target, working closely with doctors to adjust the dialysis plan and increase the frequency or duration of dialysis is the key to achieving this goal.
- 2. Weight management: the art of balance Weight management is also crucial for dialysis patients. Excessive weight gain between dialysis sessions not only affects the dialysis effect, but also increases the cardiovascular burden. Ensuring stable weight through a low-salt diet, limiting fluid intake, and regularly monitoring weight is an important part of maintaining cardiovascular health.
- 3. Correcting acidosis: guarding acid-base balance Metabolic acidosis is a common problem for dialysis patients. Acidosis can be effectively corrected and the risk of death can be reduced through a reasonable diet, improving dialysis efficiency, and using drugs such as sodium bicarbonate.
- 4. Blood pressure control: guarding the cardiovascular defense line Hypertension is a common complication of dialysis patients and a major cause of cardiovascular events. Keeping blood pressure within an ideal range by controlling water and salt intake, using antihypertensive drugs rationally, and exercising moderately is the key to protecting cardiovascular health.
- 5. Nutritional supplementation: fueling life Malnutrition is another major challenge for dialysis patients. By adjusting the dietary structure, increasing calorie and protein intake, improving dialysis effects, and reducing water load, the blood albumin level can be effectively increased and the risk of death can be reduced.
- 6. Correcting anemia: rekindling the light of life Anemia accompanies almost all dialysis patients. Through a reasonable diet, supplementing iron and erythropoietin and other drugs, the anemia condition can be effectively improved and the quality of life can be improved.
- 7. Mineral metabolism management: protecting bone health Calcium and phosphorus metabolism disorders are common problems for dialysis patients. In severe cases, they can lead to hyperparathyroidism and vascular calcification. Through a low-phosphorus diet, the rational use of drugs such as phosphate binders and calcium, and the adjustment of dialysis regimens, mineral metabolism can be effectively managed and the risk of death can be reduced.
- 8. Blood potassium balance: protecting the electrophysiology of the heart Abnormal blood potassium is also dangerous for dialysis patients. Ensuring that blood potassium fluctuates within the normal range through a reasonable diet, the use of potassium-lowering drugs, or adjusting dialysis prescriptions is an important measure to protect heart health. Although the road to dialysis is long and difficult, as long as we have firm beliefs, work closely with doctors, and actively participate in self-management, we will continue to shine on the stage of life. Let us cheer for life and protect health together!