How continued monitoring of kidney failure will help
Patricia Geraghty explains why continued monitoring of your condition is an important way to understand if your treatment plan is working.
Transcript
PATRICIA GERAGHTY (VOICEOVER): For those living with kidney failure, continued monitoring of your condition is an important way for you and your healthcare
providers to understand if your treatment plan is working. [UPBEAT MUSIC]
Part of monitoring kidney failure is making sure you attend your follow-up appointments. You may see a nephrologist, a doctor
who specializes in the kidneys, for these follow-up appointments. There, your healthcare providers may
run tests to measure how well your kidneys are functioning. You may test things like your urine output, your blood urea
nitrogen-- BUN-- and creatinine levels, your urine albumin and creatinine levels, your body weight, your potassium levels,
your blood pressure. They may also inspect areas of your body for signs of swelling, like your feet, or puffiness around your eyes.
Your healthcare providers will review the results of these tests and adjust your treatment plan, should any adjustments be necessary.
But there are some things you can monitor on your own as well, like your blood pressure.
You should monitor how much urine you're producing. If you notice a change in the amount of urine you're producing, you should contact your healthcare
provider. You should also monitor your weight. Talk to your healthcare provider about what limits you
should be aware of for weight changes. If you notice a significant change in weight, talk to your healthcare provider.
You should also ask your healthcare provider about dietary restrictions. These may include limiting salt, protein, potassium, calcium,
and phosphorus. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any medication, including over-the-counter medications
and supplements. Ultimately, monitoring your kidney failure is one way to help ensure you live an otherwise
long and healthy life. [AUDIO LOGO]
kidney disease failure
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