Chronic Kidney Disease – Symptoms, Complications and Prevention Singapore

Treatment Methods for Chronic Kidney Disease

As with most chronic diseases, chronic kidney disease cannot be cured. However, the disease can be managed and treated to relieve symptoms, reduce complications and slow the disease’s progression. For patients with severely damaged kidneys, they will require treatment for end-stage kidney disease.

Treating the causes of kidney damage

Medication can be prescribed to treat the underlying causes of chronic kidney disease. Conditions that lead to kidney damage need to be controlled and treated to prevent further damage to the kidneys. For example, patients with hypertension will require medication for high blood pressure while diabetic patients will need to keep their blood sugar under control to prevent kidney damage.

Treating the complications of kidney damage

Chronic kidney disease can lead to various health complications that can affect your quality of life. Some of these complications will require treatment to keep them under control or to prevent serious, life-threatening medical emergencies.

Managing potassium levels

Chronic kidney disease can cause potassium levels in your blood to reach abnormal levels due to your kidneys’ inability to function normally. This condition is referred to as hyperkalaemia and can lead to arrhythmia that can lead to a potential heart attack. Patients with this condition will need to avoid potassium supplements as well as medication that can lead to higher potassium levels in the body such as certain high blood pressure medication.

Managing water retention to reduce swelling

Chronic kidney disease can cause swelling in your ankles, feet, and hands due to reduced kidney function and effectiveness in removing fluid in your blood. To reduce swelling, you will need to reduce your salt and fluid intake, including fluids in food. Diuretics may be prescribed if deemed necessary. These will help you remove water from your body via urinating which helps to relieve the swelling in your limbs.

Anaemia

Patients with chronic kidney disease in the advanced stages may develop anaemia, which is a lack of red blood cells. To treat anaemia, you may be prescribed injections of erythropoietin, a medication that helps with the production of red blood cells. Iron supplements may also be suggested if you have an iron deficiency.

Weakened bones

Severe damage to your kidneys can lead to a build-up of phosphate in your body, which can affect the balance of calcium within your body, causing the thinning of your bones. For patients with this condition, they will be asked to control their consumption of foods high in phosphate, such as red meat, dairy products, eggs and fish. If necessary, phosphate binders may be prescribed. For patients who experience vitamin D deficiency, supplements such as cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol may be prescribed to help increase your vitamin D levels, which is crucial for bone health.

Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis refers to a condition in which the filters inside the kidneys are inflamed. This could be caused by a malfunctioning immune system attacking the kidneys. Medication to reduce the activity of your immune system, such as a steroid or cyclophosphamide may be prescribed.

Treatment for end-stage chronic kidney disease

At this stage of chronic kidney disease, patients will experience complete or near-complete kidney failure and will require dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Dialysis

Dialysis, in short, is a treatment that removes waste and fluid from your body since your kidneys are no longer able to do so on their own. There are two main types of dialysis:

• Haemodialysis, which works by filtering waste and excess fluids from your blood
• Peritoneal dialysis, which involves a dialysis solution that absorbs waste and excess fluids from your body. This solution enters your body via the use of a thin tube, which is inserted into your abdomen. The solution is later drained from your body, along with the waste and excess fluids absorbed.

Kidney transplant

Your damaged kidneys may be replaced with a healthy kidney from a donor. This is done via surgery. After the transplant you will be put on long term immunosuppressive medication to prevent your body from rejecting the new organ.