EDEMA

Edema - a terminology used to denote swelling. It usually occurs because of - 1.) Inflammation, and 2.) Fluid retention, 3.) Blockage of any major vein and lymph passage. Edema / swelling due to inflammation may occur after trauma, infection and may develop over any part of the body. Edema due to fluid retention (water retention) tends to accumulate in dependent areas - legs, lower back (when in lying down position), eyelids and face (on waking up in the morning).

How Much Dialysis is Adequate Dialysis?

A very difficult question indeed!! I would prefer to say that NO dialysis adequately replaces the function of the normal kidney. A normal kidney works every second, every minute, 60mins per hour, 1440 minutes in a day, i.e. around 10000 minutes a week. Most ESRD patients in the world are on thrice weekly - 4 hour sessions,

High Creatinine On Dialysis

Last week I met an anxious patient in my clinic. He was a young guy having end stage kidney disease (ESKD or ESRD) on regular 3 times per week hemodialysis. He exclaimed, "Doc I'm scared. Inspite of 3 times a week dialysis my creatinine levels have gone up from 6mg/dl (3 months ago) to 11mg/dl now. Why are the toxins not leaving my body inspite of good regular dialysis!" I simply told him that the toxins were getting out and that having a high creatinine was indeed GOOD for health. Quite a paradox, isn't it ??

SERUM CREATININE

Creatinine is a small harmless protein that comes from the muscles. The only way it goes out of the body is via the kidneys into the urine. Normally it is present in a concentration of 0.5 to 1.2mg/dl in the blood (plasma). When the concentration of creatinine rises in the blood it means that the kidneys are not able to take it out effectively

Why This Blog ??

Experiencing a kidney ailment is a way of life in itself. People with acute renal failure get deviated from their routine life for a while but get back in line once their fine. People with chronic renal failure get detached for good and get forcibly adjusted in a new world of their own, whether they are on dialysis or after a kidney transplant.