Pre-Dialysis Education

• Most people have two kidneys, which are the size of their fist.
• Your kidneys are located on either side of the back bone, just below the rib cage.

What do they do?

• Each kidney has about 1 million nephrons that filter 200 quarts of blood. (A nephron is the filtering part of the kidney.)
• Keep your body chemicals in balance, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus.
• Remove extra water from your body in the form of urine. Urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through ureters.
• Remove waste products from your blood; waste comes from what you eat, drink and normal muscle activity.
• Remove drugs and toxins.
• Release hormones to control blood pressure.
• Release hormones to make red blood cells.
• Produce vitamin D to promote strong bones.

• Take an active role in your health and ask questions.
• Talk with you doctor about all medications, even over-the-counter drugs, before you take them.
• Take all medications as prescribed.
• Avoid using a regular or large amount of over-the-counter pain medications.
• Check your blood pressure regularly. A normal blood pressure reading should be less than or equal to 120/80. A high blood pressure reading is greater then 140/90.
• If you have diabetes, be sure to check your blood sugars regularly and take medications as prescribed by your doctor.
• Maintain a healthy weight by following a healthy diet and regular exercise program.
• Avoid eating foods high in salt, cholesterol and fat.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Treat wounds and infections.
• Limit exposure to heavy metal and toxic chemicals.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Quit smoking.
• Visit your doctor regularly.
• Incorporate exercise into your lifestyle.

• Renal is a medical term that relates to the kidneys.
• A nephrologist is the term for a doctor who cares for your kidneys.
• Blood flows into the kidneys through the renal arteries and leaves through the renal veins.

• What can cause a decrease in kidney function?
• What medical tests have I had done?
• What medicines have I been prescribed? What does each one do? What side effects might I have?
• What medicines, vitamins and herbs should I avoid?
• Should I be following a special diet?
• Should I be exercising? What types of exercise can I do?
• How often should I be seeing my nephrologist?
• Who can I talk to about the emotions I'm having?
• What websites, books and other resources can I use to learn more about my health?

Acute Renal Failure is a sudden decrease in kidney function. If your kidneys are not seriously damaged, it is often reversible, but it may lead to permanent loss of kidney function.

Causes include:

• Dehydration
• Physical injury or accident that causes damage to kidney function
• Loss of blood
• Medications, drugs or poisons
• Some intravenous dyes

Chronic Renal Failure is a gradual loss of kidney function. This can happen slowly and silently over many years. Because this can often go undetected for many years, it is important to know how to keep your kidneys healthy.

Causes include:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Lupus
• Chronic infections, recurring urinary tract infections
• Heredity
• Glomerulonephritis
• Polycystic Kidney Disease
• Trauma
• Medications, drugs and poisons
• Heavy use of pain relievers or alcohol

Early detection of these signs and symptoms is the key:

• Sudden onset of high blood pressure
• Blood and/or protein in the urine (may appear as bloody or tea-colored urine)
• A elevated creatinine level (a blood test)
• Needing to urinate more often and especially at night
• Difficult, painful or burning urination
• Ankle and leg swelling
• Itching
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness, paleness
• Anemia