repeated in the future, especially if you have one or more risk factors. If abnormal, treatment should be initiated and the tests must be followed regularly as the condition usually gradually worsens. Kidney failure risk equations are used by doctors based on blood and urine results, as well as other factors, to determine the degree of risk for needing dialysis in the future. Treatment is mainly focused on a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet, smoking cessation, alcohol in moderation and exercise. Diet should limit fat, cholesterol, sodium, sugar and red meats. Fruits and vegetables and other components of a Mediterranean diet should be encouraged. Patients with advanced renal disease should be seen by a dietician and a urologist. Those who are able to follow a healthy lifestyle and control other health conditions may have an encouraging outlook and avoid end-stage kidney failure. For those less fortunate with more aggressive disease when their kidney function has severely failed, advanced treatment will have to be considered, including dialysis or kidney transplant. Dialysis is the process whereby a machine takes over the function of the kidneys in removing excess fluid and wastes from your blood. The first artificial kidney was developed by Dr. Willem Kolff in 1943. Since that time, there have been many modifications and improvements and another form of dialysis has been introduced – peritoneal dialysis – which can be done in the patient’s own home. Dialysis involves the passage of blood through a special membrane that filters out the wastes and excess fluid and returns the cleansed blood to the patient’s circulation. Most patients requiring dialysis need this to be done at a designated site, usually a hospital, three times a week. Home dialysis, suitable for some patients, involves filtering their blood through special solutions (infused into the abdominal cavity) that are filtered through the body’s abdominal peritoneal membrane. Only about one-quarter of the people on dialysis are on this home treatment. Almost half of the patients with end-stage kidney failure are recipients of successful kidney transplants. Such cases are usually younger people with no other serious medical conditions. The Kidney Foundation of Canada at kidney.ca and Davita Kidney Care at www.davita.com are useful websites to learn more about chronic kidney disease and healthy diets. In this era of reduced access to family physicians and preventive health evaluations it is incumbent upon all of us, especially seniors and those with other conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, to be sure that our immunizations are up to date, that we have the recommended screening tests for our age group and that previous cancers and other disorders are properly monitored. Getting a screening test for kidney disease may be one of those tests. Health RUBYSINN.COM/CSA25 As you cruise back home from the sunny Southwest, what is stopping you from stopping by Ruby’s Inn? We are just a short distance off the I-15! swing by and enjoy a great dinner, peaceful hike, and exploring one of America's best National Parks at Bryce Canyon. Hope to see you soon. Hey Snowbird! Bryce Canyon National Park three different hotels | rv park and campground | world famous dinner show | atv and horseback riding tours | eb i kes + mountain bikes | H I K I NG | RODEO | shuttle to bryce canyon national park for the whole family | Shopp i ng CSANews | WINTER 2024 | 31
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