CARING FOR YOUR KIDNEYS:

HOW’S YOUR

KIDNEY BEEN?

THE KIDNEYS

HEALTHY KIDNEYS

• Kidneys are crucial organs in the body.

• The kidneys are the unsung hero's of the body; Your life is at risk when kidney function doesn’t work properly anymore;

• The kidneys are essential in:

Balancing the volume of water in the body;

Filtering the blood and eliminating the waste products

Production of hormones that regulate some important body functions (blood pressure, making red blood cells, healthy bones)

MAKING URINE

There are lots of left over wastes

from the food and fluid we consume

each day

The kidneys play a major role in

eliminating these waste products

from our body

Toxins and wastes

Salts Extra Water

and

Urine

URINE

FROTHY URINE

KIDNEY DISEASE

• Acute damage happens quickly. A sudden change in kidney function is called

acute kidney injury;

• Chronic damage happens over a long period of time and is known as chronic

kidney disease; It is permanent, but for some types it can be slowed down;

Chronic kidney disease is called a silent disease as there are often no warning

signs;

Sharp increase of chronic kidney disease worldwide

Need to raise awareness, and highlight the burden and economic burden of CKD

TESTS TO MEASURE KIDNEY FUNCTION

SIGNS OF POORLY FUNCTIONING KIDNEY

Healthy kidney Poorly functioning

kidney

Blood pressure ⪃ 120/80 ≧ 140/90

Urine Clear

No protein

No blood

Protein OR

Blood OR

Cloudy OR

Normal

Blood test for creatinine

or estimated glomerular

filtration rate

Normal levels of

creatinine

Normal eGFR

Raised creatinine

Low eGFR

STAGES OF KIDNEY DISEASE

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE FACTS

• 1 in 100 people know they have chronic

kidney disease

• 9 in 100 people have chronic kidney disease

but don’t know it

ICEBERG

1 in100 people

9 in 100 people

THE KIDNEY AS A FILTER

ARE YOU AT RISK OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

TYPES OF KIDNEY DISEASE

• Diabetes (40%)

• High blood pressure (10%)

• Nephritis (20%)

• Polycystic kidney disease (5%)

• Other (25%)

CAN I PREVENT OR SLOW KIDNEY

DAMAGE?

CONTROL BLOOD

PRESSURE

• High blood pressure can cause kidney damage

• Kidney disease can also cause high blood pressure

• Blood pressure tablets lower blood pressure and protect the kidney

• The amount of salt and water in your body and the health of your blood vessels will also affect your BP.

CONTROLLING BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS

• Keeping blood sugar levels as healthy as possible will reduce the damage to the kidneys;

• Managing diabetes includes:

A healthy diet with good carbohydrates

Keeping healthy body weight

Exercise

Taking diabetes tablets or insulin as prescribed

Monitoring and recording your blood sugar level at home

Having your blood sugar checked at the doctors regularly

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

MANAGING KIDNEY HEALTH

• Kidney disease

increases your risk of

heart disease

• Diabetes, high blood

pressure and obesity

can lead to kidney

disease

• All of these diseases

can be prevented or

helped by leading a

healthy life

SELF-MANAGEMENT

• Shared decision making

You are more likely to follow the treatment plan

Work out the best options for you

Understand your choices

• 3 questions to ask before you make a decision

i. What are my options

ii. What are the benefits or disadvantages to each option

iii. How would each treatment affect me

SUPPORT

HEALTHCARE TEAM

Healthcare professional Role

General practitioner • Education

• Manage your blood pressure, sugar level etc

• Prescribe medications

• Monitor the health of your kidneys

Kidney specialist / Nephrologist You will be referred to a kidney specialist when

your kidneys need specialized help

Nurse Provide education about your disease and healthy

living;

Monitor the health of your kidneys;

Pharmacist Educate about your medicines

Home medicine review

Social worker Assist with organizing home services

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR LATE STAGE KIDNEY DISEASE

REFERENCES

• Kidney Health Australia, My Kidneys My Health:

Living with early stage chronic kidney disease.

(2015)

QUESTIONS