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Introducing
"Understanding Dialysis"
An information
and resource book for
the dialysis
patient and his or her carers
I wrote this book to share
my 20 years of experience of treating patients suffering from
end stage renal failure. In it you will find information,
which you can’t easily find or is simply not available.
Much derives from personal experience as a physician treating
patients over this period. The information is based on scientifically
derived evidence based facts.
The book has been written
for you, the patient, to give you better insight into the
realities of chronic renal failure and dialysis and to help
you live a longer and healthier life. It doesn’t attempt
to paint a rosy picture but rather outlines problems, which
both you and your physician may encounter. It will assist
you with finding solutions and an explanation for your problems.
Consulting time is limited.
Many busy physicians can’t spend a lot of time explaining
concepts to patients. Patients are often confused about topics
like “dry weight,” “base weight” and
“dialysis efficiency.” Patients want less dialysis
hours and cant seem to understand why physicians want to “torture”
them with more. Time and time again patients arrive at my
consulting rooms asking the same questions:-
Why do I have to do those
extra hours on dialysis?
Do I really need my base
weight increased? “I am fat enough already!”
Using a simple format, this
book will clarify these and other difficult concepts.
Primarily, this book is not
directed at pre dialysis and dialysis “beginners”.
There are plenty of resources available which describe the
theory and basic practical aspects of dialysis techniques.
Rather, the focus is at a higher level, to inform and educate
the more “seasoned” dialysis patient and help
them navigate over the long haul.
The book has been designed
to avoid being country or medical system specific so as anyone
in the world can use it and benefit from it. I sincerely hope
that all who read it will derive relevant information which
will in some way ease their burden and improve their lives.
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Contents
of
"Understanding Dialysis"
Forward
Chapter
1
Will I
have to have Dialysis to stay alive ?
How do you know for sure you will end up requiring dialysis?
Chapter
2
Starting
Dialysis- yes, no or maybe?
How will I know when the time comes to start dialysis?
Using the fistula
Choosing not to have dialysis
I don’t want dialysis, so what happens now?
My Doctor says I am not able to dialyse
How does your Doctor know whether or not to recommend
dialysis?
Chapter 3
Dialysis
Options
Haemodialysis
Peritoneal dialysis
How do I decide which form of dialysis is best for me?
Haemodialysis choices
Peritoneal dialysis choices
Chapter 4
Health
on dialysis
Feeling better
Feeling worse
Chapter 5
Being
prepared for Dialysis
Chapter 6
Body
Fluids and Dry Weight
Body fluids
Fluid overload and Fluid depletion
Loss of dry weight
Increase in dry weight
Chapter 7
Dialysis
efficiency
Haemodialysis efficiency
How do I get better haemodialysis efficiency?
Peritoneal dialysis efficiency
How do I get better Peritoneal Dialysis Efficiency?
Chapter 8
Anaemia
What exactly is anaemia?
Why do renal failure patients get anaemia?
What are the problems associated with being anaemic?
Treatment of anaemia caused by renal failure
Benefits of anaemia treatment
Side effects and problems with the treatment of anaemia
Chapter 9
Bones
problems and solutions
How can kidney failure cause bone problems?
1) Phosphate accumulation
2) Activated vitamin D deficiency
Hyperparathyroidism
Management of renal bone disease
1. Reducing blood phosphate levels
2. Binding phosphate in the gut
What if I don’t follow the diet or use the phosphate
binders?
Parathyroidectomy
Chapter 10
Nutrition
and dialysis
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We appreciate any comments or feedback.
Email us at: feedback@dialysisforliving.com
PO Box 243
Caulfield East, Vic, 3145 Australia
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