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What Are The Symptoms Of End-stage Renal Failure?
Question: My brother-in-law, 79, Has Type I diabetes. He was now diagnosed with End-Stage Renal failure..and is starting dialysis. What can my sister expect? mood swings? what can he eat? How does she deal with fluids? How does he take care of the port? What is the biggest risk for him that he has control over?
Brief Answer:
CRF on hemodialysis
Detailed Answer:
Hi, XXXXXXX
If your brother in law is suffering from ESRD it means that the kidneys are not working enough to support life and you need twice or thrice per week hemodialysis sessions as per assessment of your treating doctor.
Mood swings are not a part of dialysis. Dialysis will cause improvement in appetite, strength and well being but occasionally it can cause blood pressure fluctuations and initially may cause vomiting sensation in the first 2 sessions.
Diet in dialysis patients should be rich in proteins 1.2 gm/kg/day and adequate calories, but he should restrict foodstuffs rich in potassium and phosphorus. A detailed counselling with a dietician would be good but certainly juices and salty things should be avoided.
Fluid intake should be equal to urine output per day. If the patient has very less urine the intake should be restricted to 1 to 1.5 litre per day. Care of port depends on the type of port. If it is a jugular line avoid making it wet. Risks to control are
1. good nutrition to prevent malnutrition
2. prevention from infections
3. keep a watch over blood pressure.
Not to forget- follow the advice of your treating doctor.
Best wishes to you, if there are any other questions feel free to ask.
CRF on hemodialysis
Detailed Answer:
Hi, XXXXXXX
If your brother in law is suffering from ESRD it means that the kidneys are not working enough to support life and you need twice or thrice per week hemodialysis sessions as per assessment of your treating doctor.
Mood swings are not a part of dialysis. Dialysis will cause improvement in appetite, strength and well being but occasionally it can cause blood pressure fluctuations and initially may cause vomiting sensation in the first 2 sessions.
Diet in dialysis patients should be rich in proteins 1.2 gm/kg/day and adequate calories, but he should restrict foodstuffs rich in potassium and phosphorus. A detailed counselling with a dietician would be good but certainly juices and salty things should be avoided.
Fluid intake should be equal to urine output per day. If the patient has very less urine the intake should be restricted to 1 to 1.5 litre per day. Care of port depends on the type of port. If it is a jugular line avoid making it wet. Risks to control are
1. good nutrition to prevent malnutrition
2. prevention from infections
3. keep a watch over blood pressure.
Not to forget- follow the advice of your treating doctor.
Best wishes to you, if there are any other questions feel free to ask.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
I understand that the mood swings would not be part of the dialysis...just wondering if the whole trauma of kidney failure would have an emotional impact on him such that he would have mood swings. Will he have untold fatigue? Can he take walks? Eventually, could he travel? He lives in israel...I live in Reno. Could he visit and have dialysis here?
Thanks...
Thanks...
Brief Answer:
He can travel
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Mood swings should not occur. But it all depends that how the patient comes to terms with the illness. a person who develops diabetes does not change his life. he learns to live with the illness and the treatment. similar is the case with renal failure. The patient takes input from friends and his relatives. If the relatives also tell him that he is very serious or now what will happen, the patient picks up these cues and may become depressed. So best is not to transfer your shock to the patient. just tell him that it is just another illness.
Fatigue is not an integral part of renal failure but many people do complain or less exercise tolerance and early fatigue. if you keep an eye on the hemoglobin level and regular exercise schedule he will improve.
yes he can travel. but he should not miss his dialysis and it can be arranged at the other city. He should do as much exercise as he can tolerate.
best wishes.
He can travel
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Mood swings should not occur. But it all depends that how the patient comes to terms with the illness. a person who develops diabetes does not change his life. he learns to live with the illness and the treatment. similar is the case with renal failure. The patient takes input from friends and his relatives. If the relatives also tell him that he is very serious or now what will happen, the patient picks up these cues and may become depressed. So best is not to transfer your shock to the patient. just tell him that it is just another illness.
Fatigue is not an integral part of renal failure but many people do complain or less exercise tolerance and early fatigue. if you keep an eye on the hemoglobin level and regular exercise schedule he will improve.
yes he can travel. but he should not miss his dialysis and it can be arranged at the other city. He should do as much exercise as he can tolerate.
best wishes.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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