Here is What You need to Know about Life On Dialysis

If you have end-stage kidney disease and your nephrologist has recommended

hemodialysis, then contact RPH on +260 211 355 686. Our trained team of nurses will

perform the dialysis. Depending on your health, you will need to have either a fistula or

hemodialysis catheter in your neck, chest, or groin (dialysis 5 access). A needle is placed

into your dialysis access, connecting you to an artificial kidney (dialyses) via a dialysis

machine. Blood is cleaned through the dialyzers and then returned to your body. Depending

on your condition, you will be required to attend the center 3 times a week, each session

lasting 4 to 5 hours. Your nephrologist will prescribe the right amount of dialysis time for you.

Your treatment may need to be adjusted over time to help you feel your best. Blood tests

and check-ups will be done at the dialysis center before you start the treatment.

About Kidney Disease information for patients:

Getting the facts about chronic kidney disease will help you take care of your health daily,

helping you to plan ahead and be in charge of your choices.

How do kidneys work?

Kidneys are organs shaped like beans, about the size of fists, found on either side of your

spine near the middle of your back. These wonderful organs help keep you healthy in so

many ways—which is why kidney function is so important to your overall health and well-

being.

Did you know?

Most people are born with 2 kidneys, but you only need 1 to live a healthy

life. Your kidneys remove the extra body water and waste products 24 hours a day. The

extra body water and waste products come out of your body as urine. The kidneys don’t

just clean your blood, they do other important functions in your overall health. Everyday,

your kidneys are:

 Releasing hormones to help regulate blood pressure

 Controlling sodium and fluid levels in your body

 Stimulating production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body

 Converting vitamin D to an active form to help your body absorb calcium

What do I do to keep my Kidneys healthy?

You can protect your kidneys by living a healthy lifestyle. Here are some tips that may help

keep your body healthy, including your kidneys:

 Eat healthy food: fresh fruits, fresh or frozen vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or

fat-free dairy products, and avoid processed, pre-packaged, and ready-to-eat foods.

Reduce or stop drinking alcohol.

 Keep your blood pressure normal: reduce the amount of salt and added sugar,

reduce or stop drinking alcohol

 Make physical activity a part of your routine

 Aim for a healthy weight.

 Drink lots of fluids:  The colour of your urine may tell you if you are drinking enough

fluids. You should aim to produce urine that is straw-colored or lighter. If it is darker,

you may be getting dehydrated and you should drink more fluids.

 Know your family medical history: risk factors like diabetes and high blood pressure

in a family or a history of kidney failure, talk to your doctor about your health and help

decide the tests you require.

Be your own advocate. Get an annual physical check-up and ask the following questions

when you visit a doctor, clinical officer, or nurse:

 What is my glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?

 What is my urine albumin result?

 What is my blood pressure?

 What is my blood glucose (for people with diabetes)?

 How often should I get my kidneys checked?

 What should I do to keep my kidneys healthy?

 Do I need to be taking different medicines?

 Should I be more physically active and what kind of physical exercise can I do?

 What can I eat and am I at a healthy weight?

 Do I need to talk with a dietitian to get help with meal planning?

 What happens if I have kidney disease?

Book for your comprehensive medical check: Call or fill out the form on the Contact Us page.

Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease

Kidney disease happens when your kidneys don’t work as well as they should to remove

waste, toxins and extra fluid from your body. Zambia’s main leading causes of kidney

disease are diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), glomerulonephritis, and Human

immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Other factors

such as ethnicity, weight, family history, and age can predispose you to kidney failure.

Kidney disease can develop over a period of months to years and is irreversible. However,

with an early diagnosis, the right treatment choice, and some lifestyle changes, it can be

slowed down or in 7 some cases even stopped. Kidney disease is a process that is divided

into 5 stages:

 Stage 1 and 2: Kidney damage but normal kidney function and mild loss of kidney

function: what to look out for- high blood pressure; swollen legs, urinary tract

infections

 Stage 3:  Moderate to a severe loss of kidney function: what to look out for: Changes

in urination, swollen hands, and feet, feeling weak or fatigued, dry and itchy skin,

back pain, and muscle cramping.

 Stage 4: Severe loss of kidney function: What to look out for Anaemia, low appetite,

bone disease, nausea, and blood results will show abnormal vitamin D; calcium, and

phosphorus levels.

 Stage 5: Kidney failure (end-stage kidney failure): What to look out for: Extreme

tiredness, difficulties breathing, high levels of urea in the blood, nausea and vomiting,

swollen legs, lower back, eyes, hands, and lower back pain. Thyroid levels will be

abnormal.

Self-Care While on Dialysis

Dialysis only takes up about 10% of each week. Discussing with your nurse suitable times

for dialysis allows for many hours to do the other things that are important to you. Have a

routine like scheduling your dialysis at the same time, and taking medications at the same

time. Be productive by staying active. It is really important to plan enough time to complete

your full dialysis treatment that is recommended by your doctor. Even cutting your treatment

short by 5 minutes can have a cumulative impact. You may not feel the effects of shortened

or missed treatments immediately, but not getting enough dialysis allows waste to

accumulate in your body over time—which can cause serious health complications. So make

the time for treatment!

Drinking too many fluids may cause fluid to accumulate in your body between dialysis

sessions, resulting in the following: swollen face, feet, and legs, difficulties with your

breathing, fatigue, headaches, and high blood pressure which can give you a stroke heart

disease. You should discuss your fluid intake with your doctor or nurse. It is important to

monitor the number of fluids you are drinking. The amount of fluid you should have each day

depends on the type of dialysis you are 8 prescribed and if you produce urine. Track your

fluid intake and keep a daily record. Follow guidance from your dialysis team. Reduce salt.

Soup, sauce, ice cream, and yogurt all count as fluids. If you feel unwell, come to the dialysis

center for review.

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