For kidney disease, age does not matter SAN JOSE, Antique — “A kidney disease could afflict anyone, regardless of age,” said Dr. Mary Rosalie Almira, nephrologist at the Angel Salazar General Memorial Hospital (ASGMH) here. Kidney disease patients can be as young as 19 and as old as 89, Almira said in a radio interview, citing those in the dialysis center she manages. Among the leading causes of kidney failure are uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, glomerulus nephritis and infection, she said. Kidney failure patients end up undergoing dialysis, Almira said. A dialysis is a process of removing toxic waste and excess water from the blood. It is used as an artificial replacement for lost kidney function for people with renal failure. If left unattended, kidney failure could lead to a person’s death. The need for dietary modification is important to keep kidneys healthy, the doctor said. “Less salt, less sweets, avoid smoking and drinking,” Almira said. Seven dialysis machines operate at the ASGMH. One of them is reserved only for hepatitis B patients. The rest are being regularly used by patients undergoing dialysis. Undergoing dialysis is very expensive, according to Almira. Even the amount provided in the dialysis package of PhilHealth is not enough to see a patient through his one-year dialysis, she said. With dialysis, a kidney failure patient could last for 10 years, but it is better if he undergoes a kidney transplant, the doctor stressed. Meanwhile, Almira said an annual urinalysis is important to test for kidney disease. In fact, it is the cheapest test for early prevention, aside from proper diet, and regular monitoring of blood and sugar, she said.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 09:01:29 +0000
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