Understanding your chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stage 5 should be the first step. Knowing what treatment options are available is the next step. For CKD Stage 5 patients, treatment options focus on 3 main areas.
Dialysis
When your kidneys no longer work well enough to cleanse your blood and rid your body of excess waste, dialysis becomes a necessary treatment. You have a couple of dialysis treatment options to choose from.
Hemodialysis - Hemodialysis is a treatment that uses a machine to act as an artificial kidney, removing the fluids and wastes that your kidneys cannot. Tubes transfer small amounts of your blood to the machine to be cleaned and then moved back to your body. You can have hemodialysis in a clinic or at your home.
Peritoneal Dialysis - Peritoneal dialysis uses a membrane in the empty space of your belly to clean your blood. A tube inserted into your torso is injected with a liquid that fills that empty belly space. The waste is filtered through tiny holes in the membrane and into the liquid, which can then be drained out of your body. Clean liquid is again put in your belly and the cleaning begins again.
Your kidney care team will have more information about dialysis options. Together you can decide which option may work best for you.
Kidney Care Team Responsibilities
Your doctor, renal dietitian, nurses, and technicians are all part of your kidney care team with you. Each team member has a unique set of responsibilities that can help care for your total health.
In the chart below, match the team member with the appropriate description.
|
TEAM MEMBER |
DESCRIPTION |
|
1. Dialysis technician |
A. Helps find community resources (support, financial, etc.) to help you manage your chronic kidney disease |
|
2. General practitioner |
B. The most valuable member of your kidney care team; responsible for following the treatment plan |
|
3. Nephrologist |
C. Monitors your dialysis treatment and handles any other dialysis issues you may have |
|
4. Pharmacist |
D. Checks your health and how you respond to medications |
|
5. Renal dietitian |
E. Fills prescriptions and gives tips for taking your medications |
|
6. Renal nurse |
F. Doctor who specializes in kidney disease |
|
7. Social worker |
G. Helps you choose kidney-friendly foods |
|
8. You |
H. Performs your yearly physical and monitors your overall health |
ANSWERS: 1.C 2.H 3.F 4.E 5.G 6.D 7.A 8.B
It’s easy to get confused when you’re trying to talk with your kidney care team. Sometimes they use complicated, unfamiliar terms.
But being able to communicate effectively with your kidney care team can help you have some control over your health care. One way to help you communicate effectively is to take P.A.R.T.:
Prepare. Make a list of important questions or concerns, and bring these up at the beginning of your visit.
Ask. Ask questions regarding tests, treatments, and any follow-up steps that are necessary. Make sure you understand the doctor’s answers. If you don’t, ask until you do.
Repeat. Once you have gotten the information from your doctor, repeat some of the key points. This will help you make sure you heard correctly and give the doctor the chance to correct any misunderstandings.
Take Action. When your appointment is over, know what your next steps are. Make sure you understand what you need to do and ask for help if you don’t.
You should keep in mind that there are lots of members of your kidney care team, and collectively they’re able to help answer any questions you may have.
Each of these highly regarded organizations has an informative Web site and can be contacted by telephone toll free
Support Groups
There are a variety of resources across the country, in your area, and, of course, on the Internet. Typing “CKD support groups” into a search engine such as Google reveals over 95,000 sites. Consider contacting some of the support groups listed below:
Communicating Effectively with Your Kidney Care Team
You go to dialysis and stay for the entire session. You take your medication as directed by your doctor. You follow your kidney care team’s instructions. Is there anything else you can do to manage your condition?
There is. Learn to talk and work with your kidney care team so you understand their expectations and they understand yours.
Communicating with your kidney care team is more than just listening to them. It’s asking questions, letting them know your thoughts, and taking action. Be specific when talking with your kidney care team and
By asking for specifics, you can convey the information you want to get across and get the answers you are looking for.
Doing your part can help you get the most from your relationship with your kidney care team. Teamwork is the name of the game!
Sharing Important Information with Your Kidney Care Team
It may feel awkward to share some things with your kidney care team, but telling them any relevant medical information you have may help them design a more effective treatment plan for you.
Each member of your kidney care team handles different areas of your treatment, so you have plenty of people who can address your needs.
Also bring a list of the medications you are currently taking, and a list of the physicians you’ve seen since your last appointment and why. Make sure to tell your kidney care team about your medical history.
Talking to Your Kidney Care Team About Changes in Treatment
If you or your kidney care team may feel that your current treatment plan isn’t working well enough. This is when being able to talk openly and honestly to your doctor can benefit you.
Be sure to keep your doctor informed as to how you are feeling. Remember that you and your kidney care team need to communicate in order to get a treatment that works for you.
Links
[1] http://www.aakp.org/
[2] http://www.kidneyfund.org/
[3] http://www.kidney.org/
[4] http://www.rsnhope.org/
[5] http://www.rsnhope.org
[6] https://aakp.org/support-groups/
[7] https://www.davita.com/education/ckd-life/support/support-groups-for-people-living-with-kidney-disease