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Kidney Failures
What are Kidneys
?
They are twin organs that perform vital life maintaining
functions.
Kidneys Clean waste materials and excess fluids from the blood. Filter the blood, retaining some compounds, excreting others. Help regulate blood pressure, red blood cell count and the amount of calcium in the body.
How do they works?
What is kidney failure?
Kidney failure results when the kidneys are so diseased or
damaged from injury that they can no longer cleanse the blood.
Acute Kidney Failure is a sudden, usually short term loss of
kidney function. Dialysis may help the patient through this
period of kidney failure and in the majority of cases the kidneys
recover normal function. End-stage Renal Disease is permanent and
is caused by irreversible damage to both kidneys. A patient
requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to live.
What causes kidney failure? Nephritis is the most common cause and is a chronic inflammation of the small blood vessels of the kidneys. Uncontrolled hypertension or high blood pressure. Chronic infection of the kidneys usually from birth. Obstructions such as kidney stones can block drainage and cause damage or infection. Other diseases such as Diabetes can also impair kidney function. Analgesics (pain relieving drugs) in large amounts and taken over long periods can also cause serious kidney damage. Some forms of inherited kidney disease may lead to kidney failure.
How common is kidney disease?
Each year, about 1800 people in Malaysia develop kidney failure
and will die without proper treatment. Kidney disease can strike
anyone, at any time and at any age.
Less than 30 years ago, if a person's kidneys failed as a result of disease or accident, that person will almost certainly die. Today, people suffering from acute kidney problems and advanced kidney failure have the chance to lead useful, although sometimes restricted lives. Many of these people are dependent on dialysis (artificial kidney machine treatment) or a successful kidney transplant.
Can kidney
disease or kidney failure be prevented?
Yes, it can often be prevented if you visit your doctor
immediately you notice: Blood in your urine. Burning sensation
when passing urine. Frequent urination, particularly at night.
Puffiness around the eyes and swelling of the hands and feet.
Back pain just below the rib cage, not related to exercise.
Symptoms of high blood pressure.
Treatment
Treatment of kidney disease
Many kidney disease can be successfully
treated in the early stages, but they may be fatal if neglected.
In such cases, treatment can slow down the disease process and
prolong life. These include: Diet -
regulating the intake of salt, water and protein may be
necessary. Diuretics - (drugs to
increase urine flow) help avoid fluid buildup in the body.
Antibiotics - prevent or limit the damage
to kidneys caused by infection. Special
drugs can effectively relieve symptoms in many cases of
nephritis. Surgery can remove
obstructions.
What is dialysis?
There are two types of dialysis:
1. Haemodialysis
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2. Peritoneal Dialysis
This means the membrane
which lines the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) is used instead of
a dialyser to cleanse the blood of wastes and excess fluids.
This is another form of
dialysis and is suitable for some patients.
Where is dialysis treatment
available and how much does it cost?
At the Sabah Kidney Society (SKS) we try to make dialysis
affordable for the many patients who could never afford private
treatment fees. Dialysis treatment, like most specialized medical
treatment, is costly. The machine costs as much as a small car
and staffing costs are high. The filters and other disposable
equipment are expensive. The overheads for dialysis units run
into hundreds of thousands of ringgit per year. This is why
private dialysis can cost between RM2,000 to RM3,000 per month.
Can a patient on
dialysis work?
Yes, once they are on regular treatment, dialysis patients are
encouraged to return to work. However, working in addition
to an involved medical programme can be stressful and tiring.
Support and encouragement at home are important. Your employer
should be informed that your doctor considers you medically
stable to work. Special needs such as a change in the work
schedule should be discussed. Dialysis patients receiving
treatment should request a dialysis schedule that best fits with
their work schedule. If wither you or your employer is still
uncomfortable about the return to work, a trial period may be
helpful, after which both can re-evaluate the situation.
How can persons with kidney ailments get help?
1. For Haemodialysis Get confirmation of ailment from a Nephrologist/Physician from the 3 major government hospitals. Complete the application form which shall thereafter be returned to the Society's Selection Committee for assessment. Get financial status evaluated by the Society's Selection Committee. The Society's Selection Committee will assess all applications at its earliest convenience and thereafter inform the applicants accordingly of the decision the Committee have arrived at.
2. Other Services
Contact the Society for any of
the services available and consultation required.
How do one
qualify for assistance and services offered by the society?
The following are the conditions to be satisfied:
Applicants in the lower income group will be given
priority. All patients receiving services from the Society are
required to make monetary contribution between the sum of RM10.00
to RM150 per session to the Society in accordance with the
Society's existing approved contribution schedule scale. All
applicants approved for self care haemodialysis are required to
read through the conditions and sign a contract with Sabah Kidney
Society.
suffering from kidney disease
The Sabah Kidney Society is an independent, non-profit charitable organization. Its primary objective is to help all Malaysian who suffer from kidney disease and kidney failure. With the generous support and donations from the members of the public, the Society can provide patients with affordable, subsidized dialysis and patient services. The Society is also committed to educating the public on kidney failure and health issues.
Kindly print a copy of the
donation form and send to the society.
Thanking you in advance for your generosity.
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