HILLCREST Private Hospital observed World Kidney Campaign 2018 with the aim of creating community and public awareness on kidney care.
Kloof resident, Ayanda Nkosi, who was diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney failure in July 2014, said she has learnt in life you should not take anything for granted.
“Obviously when I was diagnosed I was very shocked as there was no history of this illness in my family and I watched my diet.”
Nkosi’s kidney failure was caused by her high blood pressure.
“I started getting sick and when I went to hospital, they ran tests and found that my kidneys were not functioning and had to start dialysis which keeps me alive while I await a transplant.”
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She said what helped her deal with the disease is that when she was diagnosed, she did a lot of research and once she understood, it made it easier for her to accept.
“You just need to watch what you eat and exercise. People can still lead a normal lifestyle. Some people have full time jobs and I run my own photography company. I did not allow this disease to bring me down,” she said
Nkosi said her biggest challenge is that she cannot travel as she use to.
“I love travelling and seeing places. When I need to travel I have to find a place where I can have my dialysis as it is three times a week, four hours a day.
“Dialysis is a challenging process which drains your body. When I first started, I use to get very sick and very tired. I do not know if you ever get use to it but it definitely gets better with time.”
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She said for her, the good support system she has also keeps her going, “I have a very supportive family and friends, an excellent doctor who I can text anytime, even in the middle of the night. Hillcrest Hospital also provides us with an in-house psychologist.
Nkosi urged people to watch what they eat and to exercise.
She added that people are in the dark when it comes to organ donation and transplants.
“People should sign up as organ donors and save a life. Even with one kidney, a person can lead a normal and healthy life.
Chronic kidney disease patients are living productive lives
Hillcrest Private Hospital nephrologist, Dr Balram Naidoo, said there is definitely an increase in the screening and diagnosis of kidney disease globally.
“This results in the increased number of patients diagnosed with chronic renal failure. More especially in the older population, over the age of 60.
“In the Hillcrest area there has been good screening done by local GPs and referral before there is progression of the disease. There are different stages of chronic kidney disease from stage 1 with normal kidney function and stage 5 with kidney failure requiring dialysis.”
He said the most common cause of this disease is hypertension, diabetes, chronic nephritis, and HIV.
“Simple screening of blood pressure, glucose levels and urine dipsticks can prevent organ failure in the future. High risk patients with these problems should be screened for renal failure. If detected early, progression of diseases can be prevented,” explained Dr Naidoo.
He added that being diagnosed with this disease is not the end of the world.
“For patients with kidney failure, there are options of hemodialyisis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplant, Patients with chronic kidney disease are living longer and more productive lives these days,” he said.
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