All posts by В. Пенчев

The kidneys play an extraordinary role in the overall activity of our organism. They perform important functions that keep us healthy by filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood. They also maintain optimal levels of electrolytes such as sodium, calcium and phosphate, control blood pressure and participate in the synthesis of hormones that are necessary to keep bones and blood healthy.

Each kidney contains approximately one million tiny tubules called nephrons, which filter waste and extra fluid from the blood, which is later excreted from the body as urine. Usually, people are born with two kidneys, but sometimes, due to a number of reasons, life is completely possible with only one. In these cases, the only kidney is compensatory enlarged and takes up to 80% of the function of the missing one, which is quite enough for normal existence.

The main reasons why a person may have one kidney include the following:

– Congenital defect – a condition called renal agenesis means that a person is born with only one kidney.

– In another condition, renal dysplasia, a person is born with two kidneys, but only one is functioning.

– Surgical removal (nephrectomy) – removed kidney as a result of cancer or other disease

– Removal of a kidney after trauma or donation.

Many people lead normal and fulfilling lives with one kidney, although long-term health problems may arise that require specific monitoring and treatment.

Some of the problems that can occur include:

– Hypertension – Because the kidneys are involved in maintaining healthy blood pressure, many people with a single kidney are at slightly increased risk of hypertension.

– Proteinuria – Excess protein in the urine can be an indicator of kidney damage and people with one kidney often have above average levels of protein in the blood.

– Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) – GFR indicates how well the kidney filters fluids and waste products from the blood. Often people with one kidney have a reduced GFR.

In conclusion, we could say that the greater percentage of cases lead a completely normal and fulfilling life. It is important to attend preventive examinations at least once a year in order to prevent complications and kidney diseases.

Arterial hypertension (AH), also known as high blood pressure, is one of the most common chronic diseases. It occurs when blood moves in the arteries under greater pressure than normal. Blood pressure usually rises and falls throughout the day, but it can damage the heart and cause health problems if it stays high for a long period of time.

High blood pressure can constrict and narrow the blood vessels in the kidneys, which in turn reduces blood flow and interferes with their normal function. When this happens, the kidneys are unable to remove all the waste products and extra accumulated fluid from the body. This whole process raises the blood pressure even more, creating a dangerous cycle and causing more damage leading to kidney failure.

Arterial hypertension is of two types – primary and secondary.

Primary hypertension, also called essential hypertension, covers the greater percentage of hypertensives. The factors that lead to its appearance can be many and varied from stress, obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, consumption of larger quantities of cooking salt, coffee, alcohol, genetic predisposition.

Unlike the previous one, secondary hypertension occurs as a symptom of another concomitant disease. It is also called symptomatic hypertension and develops most often in renal or endocrine diseases.

Controlling high blood pressure is important for overall health.

Here are some important steps that can be followed:

• A healthy, low-salt diet
• Regular physical activity
• Stress management
• Quitting smoking
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake
• Administration of prescribed medication as needed

Table salt, commonly referred to simply as salt in everyday life, is a mineral composed mainly of sodium chloride, a chemical compound of the salt group. In nature, it occurs in the form of natural crystals, as well as dissolved in seawater – the ocean has a salinity of 3.5%, which is equal to 35 grams of salts per liter of water.

The human body removes excess water from the body by filtering the blood through the kidneys, an activity that requires a balance of sodium and potassium in the body. A high-salt diet will alter this sodium balance, resulting in reduced kidney function and the elimination of less water, which in turn will lead to higher blood pressure. In addition, high salt intake has been shown to increase the amount of protein in the urine, which is a major risk factor for worsening kidney function and can increase the worsening of kidney disease in people who already have kidney problems.

WHAT DOES LARGE QUANTITIES OF SALT INTAKE LEAD TO?

High salt intake is associated with risk factors for both heart disease and worsening kidney function, including high blood pressure, excess protein in the urine, and fluid overload. Therefore, reducing salt intake can help reduce the risk of heart disease and preserve kidney function.

HOW MANY GRAMS OF SODIUM ARE OPTIMAL FOR PATIENTS WITH KIDNEY DISEASE?

People with or considered to be at risk of kidney disease or kidney failure should keep their salt intake below the recommended maximum of 5g. This can be achieved through simple changes such as eating less processed foods and checking product labels before purchasing.

HELPFUL STEPS TO REDUCE SALT

• Gradually reduce the amount of salt used, reaching almost 50%.
• Do not add salt to prepared foods before tasting them.
• Use different spices that will make the taste of food more intense without the need for additional salting
• Get a lower sodium variety of sea salt

Seasonal flu is caused by influenza viruses that circulate in all parts of the world. During this season, staying healthy is pure luck. Unfortunately, this fact is not encouraging at all for those who are more susceptible to infections, among whom are patients with chronic kidney disease.

The flu and the common cold are very similar. If the onset of your illness was sudden, you have chills, muscle aches and headaches, then you most likely to have a flu. The cold is milder and the main complaints are stuffy nose and sore throat.

Kidney failure can weaken your immune system so that the flu is several times more likely to cause pneumonia and worsen other accompanying health problems than in healthy people.

WHAT SHOULD WE BE CAREFUL OF?

Be careful with herbal and folk medicines. People living with kidney disease should be extremely careful when using herbal products or complementary medicines. Some herbal preparations and products are not regulated in the same way as those from pharmaceutical companies. Therefore, the list of ingredients is not always accurate, and some herbal medicines have been found to contain pesticides, poisonous plants, hormones, heavy metals and other compounds that are potentially dangerous. Some herbal medicines also contain diuretics, high potassium levels, and/or other ingredients that can affect the kidneys or interact with your prescription drugs by changing their effectiveness.

Another supplement that should be approached with care is vitamin C and the doses in which it is taken. There are specially formulated multivitamins for people with kidney problems that contain just the right number of vitamins that your kidneys can handle. Ask your attending physician for recommendations.

HOW TO PROTECT OURSELVES?

The flu virus is transmitted by airborne droplets. When sick people sneeze and cough, it spreads through the air and anyone can get infected. Prevention is the best medicine. An annual flu shot and frequent hand washing are the best protection. Limit going out until the epidemic passes and avoid contact with sick people. If you still have to go somewhere, you can use a protective mask. Remember that the mask must be replaced with a new one in about 2 hours.

The aspiration to improve the quality of dialysis treatment of chronic renal failure has led to the introduction of new methods. One of them is hemodiafiltration as a form of replacement treatment for dialysis patients.

1. WHO IS IT SUITABLE FOR?

Online hemodiafiltration is suitable for all patients in need of hemodialysis, because it practically has no contraindications for its application. It is a step forward in the development of dialysis technologies and is closest to the function of human kidneys.

2. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEMODIAFILTRATION AND STANDARD HEMODIALYSIS?

Classical hemodialysis relies on a process called diffusion – the passage of particles from an environment of high concentration to one where they are less concentrated. In this way, the blood is purified from the end products of the exchange, which would otherwise be expelled through the kidneys. Hemodiafiltration combines two physical processes – diffusion and convection. This advantage allows the blood to be cleansed of many more unnecessary substances – both small and large molecules, leading to a significant improvement in the patient’s condition.

3. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES?

Hemodiafiltration offers improved purification of the body from uremic substances and general tolerability by the patient. Episodes of high or low blood pressure during the procedure are significantly reduced. Other advantages of the method include:

1. Prevention of the development of dialysis amyloidosis;
2. Protection in the development of MIA – syndrome (malnutrition, inflammation and atherosclerosis);
3. Better control over hyperphosphatemia (increased level of phosphates in the blood);
4. Better results in the treatment of renal anemia;
5. Control of dyslipidemia (deviations in the lipid profile);
6. Reduction of oxidative stress;
7. Reducing the risk of developing polyneuropathy;
8. Reduction of itching associated with chronic renal failure.

The disadvantages of the method are related to the maintenance of the equipment and consumables, not the effects on the patients.

4. DOES IT IMPROVE SURVIVAL?

According to studies, the application of hemodiafiltration instead of traditional hemodialysis improves the survival of patients with end-stage chronic renal failure. People benefiting from this new technology have  lower rate mortality rate because their risk of developing complications from the cardiovascular system is significantly reduced. However, the application of this new method is based on the recommendation and control of your attending physician.

HEMODIAFILTRATION MACHINES OF THE HIGHEST CLASS WILL BE AVAILABLE WITHIN A FEW DAYS IN “NEPHROLIFE” DIALYSIS CENTER

Today we will introduce you to interesting and curious facts about the kidneys and their activity. Without a doubt, you will be convinced that they are a unique and vital part of the functioning of the entire human organism.

The amount of blood filtered by both kidneys is between 120 and 150 liters per day.

The actual filtering structures are called nephrons, and each kidney consists of at least one million of these. Therefore, with two kidneys, the body has two million working little filtering machines.

Stretched end to end, the nephrons that make up the kidneys are about 5 miles (8 kilometers) long.

An important part of the kidneys and their activity performing and regulating the content of salt and potassium in the body.

The kidneys produce hormones that indicate the creation of red blood cells.

Some children are born with only one kidney. Subsequently, it grows to the point where its weight is equal to the total weight of two kidneys combined.

The kidneys also convert vitamin D into a form that can be used by the body.

As we age, the number of functioning nephrons in each kidney begins to decline by 1% per year.

An adult’s kidney weighs about 142 grams and is about the size of a fist.

The largest kidney stone ever recorded was the size of a coconut weighing about 1.1 kilograms.

When dehydration occurs, the kidneys stop producing urine until hydration is restored and blood volume increases.

Improper functioning of the kidneys can lead to the development of anemia. Studies show that most patients suffering from it have developed some type of kidney disease.

Nearly 500 million people worldwide (which equates to almost 10% of the world’s adult population) suffer from some type of kidney problem or damage.

The first successful kidney transplant was done by Joseph E. Smith and his team in Boston in 1954.

Most people are born with two kidneys, but in reality, to live a full and healthy life, you only need one properly functioning kidney.

VITAMIN D AND CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE

For most patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), the ability to travel is an important part of maintaining independence and a normal rhythm of life. Vacation and the energy it brings to your daily life are enough incentive to plan and coordinate your trip to the nearest dialysis center to the place you are going to stay. As long as your health allows it, you have the freedom to choose from hundreds of destinations that will meet your criteria.

Dialysis Center NephroLife offers reliable and high-quality dialysis treatment focused on care and improving the quality of life of patients in the Burgas region. Apart of all that, the center offers holiday dialysis to all patients from the interior of the country and abroad who have decided to visit our Black Sea coast.

The financing in the clinic is done through the National Health Insurance Fund, with which we have a contract. For this reason, no additional payment is required from patients for their treatment or for any of the accompanying comfort or medical services.

Our specialized team of doctors and nurses with more than 30 years of experience in dialysis treatment are working together to deliver the best patient care according to all international standards of medical practice.
For each and every one of our patients we use brand new and high quality medical equipment and consumables for dialysis treatment from FRESENIUS Germany 4008 S and 5008 S. Only that way we can establish the best quality HD treatment with proven reliability and operational efficiency.

In addition to the pleasant and cozy environment, here you can enjoy a snack and refreshing drinks, professional and competent medical care, a cup of hot coffee or tea, and in the meantime enjoy your favorite shows on personal TV. To make it even more convenient, the center offers headphones that you can use during your stay, aiming your best comfort and those of other patients.

You can consult a doctor or nurse on duty at any time about anything that censers you.

Whan coordinating your vacation do not hesitate to contact us.

In his daily life, the average person is exposed to more than 700,000 toxic chemicals a day. From perfumes to cleaning products, from cosmetics to plastic water bottles. Much of our daily lifestyle involves exposure to chemicals that are not good for our health.

Although we could limit our reach to toxins, it is impossible to eliminate our exposure completely. That is why it is important to periodically undergo detoxification programs to ensure the balanced functioning of our body.

First, let’s note that toxins are all around us – even in the food we eat. With each bite we take harmful toxins from preservatives, artificial colors and additives. Although in small quantities they go unnoticed, when the body reaches a turning point, we face unpleasant side effects.

Some signs that your body is accumulating toxins include:

• Hair loss
• Fatigue
• Brittle nails
• Bad breath
• Nausea
• Weight gain

While these are usually short-term effects of toxin accumulation, long-term effects can lead to harmful, even life-threatening, consequences.

Detoxification is the physiological or medical removal of toxic substances from the human body, which is performed mainly by the liver.

What is the fastest way to cleanse the body of toxins?

Drinking water is one of the best and fastest ways to get rid of toxins from your system. Water transports toxins through our system through the bloodstream. The best option for cleansing the body is by drinking water or herbal tea.

Can patients with kidney disease go for a detox program?

People should consult a doctor before starting a cleansing or detoxification regimen, especially if there are kidney stones or kidney disease.

In general, a detox diet is not recommended for dialysis patients due to their specific nutritional needs. To enter such a regime, you need to consult a nutritionist to discuss the current diet, calorie needs and ideal weight.

Vitamins and minerals are substances that the body needs to help perform important vital functions. Through them the body receives energy and regulates and balances all the processes taking place in it. Therefore, they are essential for your body.

Almost all vitamins and minerals are obtained from the food we eat. People with normal kidney function, who eat a variety of foods from all food groups (meat, cereals, fruits, vegetables and dairy products), manage to get the necessary number of vitamins and minerals in this way.

What vitamins can a dialysis patient take?

The vitamins that are usually prescribed to patients with kidney disease are water-soluble and are: B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid and biotin, as well as a certain amount of vitamin C.

B complex:

B-complex vitamins are grouped together, but each has a different function.

One of the important functions of vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid is to prevent anemia, which is characterized by a reduced amount of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. In cases of such deficiency, additional B supplements called thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and niacin are recommended. These vitamins help convert the foods you eat into energy that your body can use.

Why do dialysis patients need vitamin B?

Dialysis patients usually have poor nutrition, which predisposes them to B12 deficiency.

Vitamin B12

• supports the formation of new cells;
• supports nerve cells;
• binds to folic acid to form red blood cells;
• its deficiency can cause permanent nerve damage.

Vitamin B6 is another important cofactor for the trans sulfurization of homocysteine ​​to cystathionine.

Studies are being conducted on therapies with increased vitamin B intake and its effects on the kidneys. It has been observed that the combination of folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 may lower the level of homocysteine, the high values ​​of which are associated with the risk of nephropathy.

CALCIUM AND ITS ROLE IN THE HUMAN BODY

The development of kidney disease can negatively affect many aspects of your life, including mental and general health.

Many people on dialysis feel that they cannot do sports or, more generally, exercise. The truth is that most dialysis patients CAN exercise. In fact, regular exercise and sport are a major factor in helping many people return to a “normal” lifestyle during dialysis. Increased activity and sports can help you feel better and even return to the activities you loved to do before starting life on dialysis.

Can I exercise if I’m on dialysis?

Yes, almost everyone who does dialysis can train. The type of exercise you choose depends on what type of dialysis you are doing, your medical condition, how active you are at the moment and what your preferences are.

Can I be active during dialysis treatment?

Yes, you can perform certain exercises during hemodialysis treatment (while connected to the dialysis machine). Some dialysis wards abroad even have exercise programs that patients can participate in. It is important to discuss the possibilities with your doctor before you start training while you are on dialysis. For a suitable program you can contact a physiotherapist or kinesitherapies to prepare a suitable individual plan.

What is the best exercise for dialysis patients?

Choose continuous activities such as walking, swimming, cycling, aerobic dancing or any other activity in which you need to constantly move large muscle groups. Low-level strengthening exercises can also be useful as part of your program.

Regular exercise is important for everyone – and this includes people with kidney disease.

The benefits of doing sports can refer to:

Increased sense of energy

Improved mood

Reduced stress

Better removal of urea from the blood during dialysis

Reduced feelings of discomfort and cramps