Glossary for getting into the world of the Chronic Kidney Disease

In the world of chronic kidney disease, it is important for patients to know that they are not alone. In addition to your loved ones, there is a team of professionals looking to make the whole process easier. To make communication more fluid, we put together some of the most common key terms heard in these medical conversations. Let's get started!

CKD: is an acronym for “Chronic Kidney Disease”. This entity occurs as a consequence of the damage generated in the kidneys by several diseases, the most frequent being diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure. The symptoms presented by patients occur as a result of the progressive loss of the functions normally performed by the kidney, among which are: A) elimination of toxins produced by our metabolism or toxins that come from the metabolism of external agents such as medicines, generating dizziness, nausea and vomiting especially when seeing or smelling food.
B) Decreased production capacity of red blood cells, which generates anemia. C) Elimination of excess fluid consumed, producing edema in different parts of the body, especially in the lower limbs. D) Regulation of blood pressure, producing arterial hypertension. E) Regulation of bone health.

Toxins: Toxins are harmful substances that accumulate in the body (secondary to the inability to be eliminated by the kidney), generate different affectations to the body. There are several known toxins, however, the most frequently measured in the blood with the laboratory tests that medical personnel request, are: creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and potassium.

Creatinine: It is an organic compound that is generated as a result of the normal metabolism of the muscles. The kidneys when they are healthy eliminate this substance in the urine, however, when the kidney begins to get sick, the ability to eliminate this substance from the body is decreased which generates the accumulation in blood

Potassium: It is an electrolyte that is normally found in the human body fulfilling different functions, it can be consumed in foods such as banana, orange, plums, potato, spinach, among others. When the kidney loses the ability to eliminate it in the urine and accumulates in the body, it can generate arrhythmias in the heart.

Edema: or Swelling is the accumulation of fluids under the skin, as a result of the decrease in the ability of the kidney to eliminate the fluids that are consumed daily Because most of the time we are standing or sitting, edema can be seen most often in the feet and ankles, although also the accumulation of fluids can be in the back seen when we are lying down; The lungs are also affected by the accumulation of fluids causing fatigue which manifests itself when walking, eating, dressing, talking or simply sitting.

Arterial hypertension: It is a disease that silks because of the increase in the pressure at which the blood moves through the arteries, above a normal value. Medications used to manage high blood pressure are intended to decrease the pressure at which blood moves through blood vessels. This is one of the diseases that can lead to chronic kidney disease

Diabetes Mellitus: It is a disease that is caused by the inability in the body to handle low blood sugar levels, so this group of patients usually have high blood sugar levels. This is one of the diseases that can lead to chronic kidney disease.

Prostatic hyperplasia: An increase in the size of the prostate gland, which is present only in men, resulting in a decrease in the caliber of the urethra and an increase in pressures to eliminate urine produced in the kidney. This is one of the diseases that can lead to chronic kidney disease.

Nephroprotection: Group of health professionals including Nephrologist, Nurse, Psychologist, Nutritionist, Social Worker, among others, they aim to: A) treat the different diseases that generate chronic kidney disease. B) To carry out emotional accompaniment to patients and family members in the face of impaired kidney function. C) It helps to carry out administrative procedures against the different EPS for the needs presented by each patient. The above is reflected in the patient with the decrease in the rate at which deterioration of the kidney occurs

Stages: Stages of Severity of Chronic Kidney Disease. There are five stages: 1,2,3,4 and 5, number one is the mildest, and number five is the most delicate. Patients with chronic renal disease stages 3and4 are generally under follow-up in the nephroprotection program, and stage 5 usually includes patients who are on some type of renal therapy, the most common being haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Renal replacement therapies are different treatment options to replace some of the functions of the kidney, when they are unable to perform the functions, they normally perform. Due to the accumulation in the body of a large amount of toxins, it is life-threatening for people with chronic kidney disease. The 3 options for renal replacement therapy are: Haemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis, and Renal Transplantation.

Haemodialysis: This is the most frequently used type of renal replacement therapy in the country. It consists of removing toxins from the blood during sessions lasting approximately 4 hours, which are done 3 times a week, every 48 hours.

Catheter: This is a medical element that may be like a “hose,” through which haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis can be performed.

Arteriovenous fistula: A surgical junction between an artery and a vein, which is used in most patients who have haemodialysis as an option for renal replacement therapy.

Peritoneal Dialysis: Another type of renal replacement therapy, which involves cleaning up toxins accumulated in the body using the peritoneum located in the abdominal cavity. Unlike haemodialysis, this type of kidney replacement is done every day.