Conditions That Lead to Dialysis

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Dialysis is a medical treatment that is used to filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to perform these functions effectively.

There are several conditions that can lead to the need for dialysis, including:

  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD): This is a condition that occurs when the kidneys are damaged and unable to function properly over a long period of time. The most common cause of CKD is diabetes, but it can also be caused by high blood pressure, a family history of kidney disease, and certain medications.
  • Acute kidney injury (AKI): This is a sudden and severe loss of kidney function that can occur due to a variety of factors, including dehydration, sepsis (a serious infection in the bloodstream), and certain medications.
  • Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): This is a genetic disorder that causes numerous cysts (fluid-filled sacs) to develop in the kidneys, leading to kidney damage and eventually kidney failure.
  • Glomerulonephritis: This is a group of diseases that cause inflammation of the glomeruli, which are tiny filters in the kidneys that help to remove waste and excess fluids from the blood. Glomerulonephritis can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, autoimmune disorders, and certain medications.
  • Renal artery stenosis: This is a condition in which the blood vessels that supply blood to the kidneys become narrowed or blocked, leading to reduced blood flow and impaired kidney function.

If you are experiencing symptoms that suggest you may have one of these conditions, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent or delay the need for dialysis.

There are several ways to prevent the need for dialysis:

  • Maintain good kidney health: The best way to prevent the need for dialysis is to take care of your kidneys before kidney damage occurs. This includes controlling high blood pressure, managing diabetes, and avoiding drugs and other substances that can damage the kidneys.
  • Eat a kidney-friendly diet: A kidney-friendly diet can help preserve kidney function and slow the progression of kidney disease. This may include limiting your intake of protein, salt, and potassium, and eating more fruits and vegetables.
  • Stay active and exercise regularly: Regular exercise can help lower blood pressure and improve overall health, which can help prevent kidney damage.
  • Don’t smoke: Smoking can increase your risk of kidney disease and other health problems. Quitting smoking can help protect your kidneys and overall health.
  • Get regular check-ups: It is important to get regular check-ups and screenings to detect kidney disease early. This can help you get treatment before the disease progresses to a point where dialysis is necessary.

It is important to work with a medical professional to determine the best course of action for you. We at Archana Hospitals can help you develop a plan to prevent the need for dialysis and manage any existing kidney problems.

Symptoms that may lead to the need for dialysis include:

  • Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
  • Muscle cramps
  • Dry, itchy skin
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Seizures or coma (in severe cases)

It is important to note that these symptoms may be caused by other medical conditions as well, and a medical evaluation is necessary to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, do get in touch with us at Archana Hospitals where our Expert Nephrologists are always at hand to recommend the correct course.

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Urinary Tract Infections and their causes

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A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that occurs in any part of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. UTIs are usually caused by bacteria entering the urinary system, although they can also be caused by fungi or viruses. The most common cause of UTIs is the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is normally found in the digestive system.

There are several ways in which bacteria can enter the urinary system and cause an infection, including:

  • Having a decreased ability to completely empty the bladder
  • Having a structural abnormality of the urinary tract
  • Using a catheter for a long period of time
  • Having a suppressed immune system
  • Using certain types of birth control, such as a diaphragm
  • Sexual activity: UTIs are more common in women who are sexually active, especially if they use a diaphragm or have multiple sexual partners.
  • Poor hygiene: Failing to properly clean the genital area can allow bacteria to enter the urinary system.
  • Bladder catheterization: A catheter is a tube that is inserted into the bladder to drain urine. If the catheter is not properly inserted or maintained, bacteria can enter the bladder and cause an infection.
  • Structural abnormalities: Certain structural abnormalities in the urinary system, such as a blockage or abnormal narrowing of the urethra, can increase the risk of UTIs.

To prevent UTIs, you can take the following steps:

  • Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water, to flush bacteria out of the urinary tract.
  • Urinate when you feel the need and try to empty your bladder completely.
  • Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom to prevent bacteria from the anus from entering the urethra.
  • Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays or perfumed products in the genital area.
  • Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothing.
  • Drink cranberry juice or take cranberry supplements, which may help to prevent UTIs.
  • Drink unsweetened probiotic beverages or take probiotic supplements, as they may help to prevent UTIs.
  • Practice good hygiene by regularly washing genital area
  • If you have a catheter, it is important to follow the Doctor’s instructions for proper care and maintenance to prevent infections.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause a variety of symptoms, which may vary depending on the location of the infection in the urinary tract. Common symptoms of a UTI include:

  • Pain or burning sensation when urinating
  • Frequent urges to urinate, even if only small amounts of urine are produced
  • Cloudy, bloody, or strong-smelling urine
  • Pelvic pain or pressure in women
  • Low fever
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fatigue

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see a Doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. UTIs can be serious if left untreated, as the infection can spread to the kidneys and cause more serious complications.

If you think you have the above symptoms please get in touch with the Nephrologists at Archana Hospitals for immediate diagnosis and treatment.

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HEAD INJURY – MISTAKES TO AVOID

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Each day, people who are involved in road accidents as well as other accidents sustain serious head injuries. These types of injuries affect a person’s everyday life and are often very complex and expensive to treat. The decisions a person makes immediately following the accident or injury can determine how quickly and how well they heal. The biggest mistakes that people make after sustaining a head injury include:

1) Not seeking medical help at once. Any head injury could result in life-threatening injuries. Head injury can result in serious or even fatal complications if the patient does not seek medical help in time. Only a medical professional can tell you whether they have sustained a serious head injury or not. Always err on the side of caution and seek medical help if a person has sustained any type of head injury – even if they do not yet have symptoms and seem to be fine.

2) Not keeping close track of symptoms. Keeping close track of symptoms with a written record does two things. First, it can give an indication of the kind of injury. Secondly, it helps to notice symptoms that people may dismiss but that could point to a serious condition. If the person is having headaches or dizzy spells each day, they may not notice – unless they are keeping track. Sometimes, head injuries have very subtle symptoms that are hard to catch.

3) Not taking extra precautions against additional head injury. If a person already has one head injury, additional head injuries can become life-threatening or can seriously complicate the condition. After sustaining a head injury, they should ensure that they wear helmets or protective headgear for any contact sports, bicycle riding, or motorcycle riding or other activities where there is a chance of head contact. They should take every precaution against head injury to ensure that they do not worsen the condition.

4) Returning to regular activities too soon. If a person has sustained a serious head injury, the first thing to do is speak with a doctor before returning to regular activities such as bicycle riding, contact sports, and other physical exertions. If they sustain injuries again while already having a head injury, the results could be life-threatening. Caution is advised against taking risks with the health. They should make sure that they speak with their doctor about which activities they can return to and follow the doctor’s timetable for recovery.

5) Health Insurance. If a person has suffered a head injury the medical costs associated are quite high. It is not unusual for someone with a serious head injury to spend thousands of rupees in replacement income and medical bills in the first few years of their injury. In addition to the medical scans necessary to treat such an injury, serious head injuries may require surgery, rehabilitation, and many other expensive treatments. Therefore having a health insurance cover is vital and helps in mitigating the existing medical condition from a financial point of view.

Archana Hospital is in the forefront of every medical emergency with specialists available round the clock. Do get in touch for any kind of medical consultation at the earliest.

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When Should You Worry About a Headaches ?

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Headaches are one of the world’s most common conditions. Some, such as hunger or stress headaches, which subside on their own aren’t a cause for concern. Others, such as migraines, have the potential to be more serious.

Migraines can be debilitating, but for some people who experience auras with their headaches, they could be a symptom for a more serious danger — an increased risk for stroke.

There are two types of Headaches

Primary: It is a condition where there are no underlying diseases or systemic conditions in the body. These headaches are the  most common cause of headaches comprising approximately 85% of cases and are more benign.

Secondary: It is a condition where headache can be a symptom of underlying disease or condition in the head or body. About 15% of headaches can be of this type which indicates serious causes.

  1. Headache 

Conditions such as Migraine, Tension type Headaches (TTH) and Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias (TACs) are a group of Primary Headache disorders These type of headaches are triggered by 

  • Stress
  • Lack of Sleep
  • Drugs or Alcohol
  • Smoking
  • Food ( Excessive Caffeine, MSG, Processed Meat)
  • Change in weather or strong smell
  • Bright Lights
  • Loud Sound 

      2. Headache 

Secondary Headache is a symptom of a disease that can activate the pain-sensitive nerves of the head. Any number of conditions, varying greatly in severity may cause Secondary Headaches. The causes for these type of headaches are 

  • Hypertension
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  • Systemic Disease
  • Drugs
  • Tumors
  • Sinusitis
  • Ear Infection
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Idiopathic Intercranial Hypertension (IIH)
Primary Headaches are benign but if the pain persists it could be a case of Secondary Headache.  So a trip to the Specialist is required when
  • New bouts of Headaches
  • Change in the character of Headache
  • Moderate to severe Headache
  • Affecting productivity and quality of life
  • More than or equal to 4 episodes per month
  • Sudden severe headache (which will seem like the worst headache of your life)
  • Taking frequent pain killers and other medication
  • Pregnant women and post delivery
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • Vision complaints
  • Weight loss
  • Sleep disorders or Excessive daytime fatigue
  • Psychological issues like Anxiety or Depression
If you or your loved ones are experiencing any kind of systems described above, the Specialists at Archana Hospitals are always at hand to diagnose and guide you on the right path of treatment. Do not hesitate to call us anytime 24/7.
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Coronary Artery Disease

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Coronary artery disease is a common heart condition. The major blood vessels that supply the heart (coronary arteries) struggle to send enough blood, oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. Cholesterol deposits (plaques) in the heart arteries and inflammation are usually the cause of coronary artery disease.

Signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease occur when the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood. If you have coronary artery disease, reduced blood flow to the heart can cause chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath. The other symptoms are sweating, fatigue, light headedness, palpitations, nausea. A complete blockage of blood flow can cause a heart attack.

Coronary artery disease often develops over decades. Symptoms may go unnoticed until a significant blockage causes problems or a heart attack occurs. Following a heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease may also be called coronary heart disease.

Symptoms may go unrecognized at first, or they may only occur when the heart is beating hard, for example, during exercise. As the coronary arteries continue to narrow, less and less blood gets to the heart and symptoms can become more severe or frequent.  The risk factors that can culminate in coronary heart disease can be Hypertension, Diabetes, Stress, Smoking, Alcohol, Unhealthy diet and Family history. A healthy lifestyle can help keep the arteries strong and clear of plaque. To improve heart health, follow these tips:

  • Quit smoking.
  • Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
  • Exercise often.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Eat a low-fat, low-salt diet that’s rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
  • Reduce and manage stress.

Archana Hospitals has always been in the forefront of creating awareness for the general good of the society. If you have any questions please feel free to walk in and consult with our specialists.

Coronary Artery Disease