Did you know chronic kidney disease affects one in seven adults? While kidney disease is not something that can be cured, maintaining a balance of wellness in life is possible with treatments and therapies that can help alleviate pain and symptoms. In some cases, treatment and therapy can return kidneys to 99% full function, allowing for a quality of life similar to before kidney disease took hold.
What Is Kidney Disease?
Kidneys are the organs in your body that filter water. They also filter different types of wastes and turn them into urine to be secreted. With kidney disease, the kidneys do not function properly, therefore allowing wastes and excess water to build up in the body. In turn, this can cause a number of problems, including a buildup of fluid in the body, shortness of breath, and high blood pressure. People who already have high blood pressure or diabetes may be at a higher risk for kidney disease.
How Is Kidney Disease Treated?
Severe cases of kidney disease can require dialysis or a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, when kidney disease has advanced to this stage, regular and ongoing treatment is necessary for the rest of the person’s life. While a kidney transplant may help restore function and alleviate symptoms, transplants do require upkeep. Luckily, there are a number of lifestyle changes, medicines, and therapies that can help alleviate some of the symptoms and side effects of kidney disease.
Chronic kidney disease can be managed through in-home health care. Despite what most people think, home health care is generally much more affordable and effective than going into a conventional hospital or clinic to see a doctor. A wide variety of services can be offered in-home, including dialysis.
Why Home Health Care Is Better
Home health care allows for a patient to stay in the comfort and security of their own home, while a nurse or other caregiver provides care.
Another benefit to having an in-home caregiver for kidney disease is that they can provide assistance that goes far beyond nursing duties. Having a chronic illness can make it more difficult for patients to perform everyday tasks, especially if they are elderly. Having access to in-home care for kidney disease carries many benefits, including:
- Dialysis
- Some medical treatment, as necessary
- Assistance with creating and preparing a healthy diet that caters to the patient’s condition
- Helping with shopping and errands
- Assistance with everyday necessities such as bathing
- Medication management to assist treatment
- Physical therapy to help keep the body healthy
These types of visits can save time and money, as well as alleviating peripheral symptoms that exist in addition to the disease itself.
Care and Compassion
Trying to manage the symptoms of chronic kidney disease can be highly taxing for both the patient and the loved ones involved in their care. When conventional treatments fail, it’s not outside the scope of possibility to look for new and exciting alternatives. Klotho.com offers new research into how novel gene therapy can extend and improve quality of life for those suffering with kidney disease.
Ultimately, kidney disease – and especially chronic kidney disease – is a difficult condition to live with. In-home caregivers can provide basic services that can elevate quality of life and provide regular care in the comfort of home.
