Kidney Research UK’s Post

Today is World Kidney Day Imagine if your 11 year old child became sick, and was going to die? Thankfully they were able to offer him, or her treatment called dialysis. It's a tough half life, restrictive, time consuming, often invasive, painful and tiring. But it's life. Kidneys clean your blood 40 times everyday, removing toxins and waste products. Without which you would be quickly poisoned. 22 people start kidney replacement therapy (dialysis) everyday in the UK. Up to 7.2 Million people are currently living with kidney disease at the moment. For some the wait will be too long:- 6 people die every week in the UK, waiting for a kidney transplant. About 3,000 people receive a kidney transplant each year here in the UK each year. If your child went into renal failure, wouldn't you want them to have the best possible chance of surviving? Of course YOU would! A kidney transplant is that chance! Living Organ Donors can make that happen! Receiving a kidney from a living donor has many advantages. Kidneys from living donors are more likely to work straight away and remain working for longer. It usually takes just months to arrange a kidney transplant from a living donor. On average, a kidney transplant from a living donor lasts for 20 to 25 years. Living Donors are modern day Heroes. Could you be the hero for someone dying from organ failure? Find out how to become a Living Donor, and become a hero to someone, in their darkest hour. https://lnkd.in/gkTiXvpX

Kidney Failure in Cats This occurs in older cats. So, what contributes to kidneys failing? The kidney regulates blood pressure, so it is common for cats with kidney failure to also suffer from hypertension which is known as high blood pressure in the arteries, persistently elevated. In the long term this can cause coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Reasons the kidneys could start to fail include poisoning, ingestion of a toxic substance such as anti-freeze or poisonous plants, heatstroke, trauma, blockage, arterial thromboembolism, pancreas failure, and infection. If acute kidney failure is not recognised and treated, cats will suffer permanent kidney damage and even death; chronic kidney failure causes many secondary problems over time, including a decrease in calcium levels that can lead to bone demoralisation. What are the symptoms? These include decrease in appetite, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea, lethargy or depression, dehydration, ulcers in the mouth or bad breath. A cat may be experiencing kidney problems if it has pain in the kidney area or unusual urination or constipation. If your cat is in final stages this means 90 percent or more damage: symptoms include seizures, loss of consciousness, tremors, uncontrollable vomiting and going into a coma. The kidneys help regulate blood pressure. With aggressive therapy acute renal failure can be corrected in some cases. In severe cases, treatment will be hospitalisation, administration of intravenous fluids, diuretic therapy or medications, close monitoring of important electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and calcium medications to control blood pressure. Video: https://lnkd.in/e-UuwAvk Do comment and follow

Happy world world kidney day! You might be wondering, why does this matter to me? Did you know that you're likely to know someone with kidney disease? 1 in 10 people globally have kidney disease, with the majority of people are unaware they have it. Many are only diagnosed at a late stage when symptoms start to present. But what are kidneys and why do they matter? The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine. They play a very important role in keeping us healthy including: - removing waste products from the body and get rid of it in the form of urine - balancing the body's fluids - releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure - produce an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones - control the production of red blood cells Kidney disease is when your kidneys don't work properly. It is a chronic condition, meaning once you have it, you have it for life. Your kidney functionality progressively declines until you need dialysis or a kidney transplant. We at MyRenalCare are passionate about improving the lives of as many people with Kidney Disease as possible. Nothing gives us greater pride than hearing the positive impact we're having on people's lives. We'd love to work with anyone working in the renal profession to explore how we can make you even better at your job and improve the lives of patients. For those living with kidney disease we'd love to hear your struggles and what we can do to help. So please do reach out! For those wanting to find out more you can access our education videos on our MyRenalCare youtube channel, or visit our partners Kidney Care UK to find out more. #worldkidneyday

Overcoming Chronic Wounds: A Senior’s Victory Against a Stubborn Venous Ulcer 💪 In the quiet persistence of daily life, a 75-year-old woman faced a relentless challenge that tested her resilience. Living with diabetes and hypertension, she struggled with a venous ulcer on her left lower leg that refused to heal, transforming her golden years into a time of constant care and concern. Chronic Wound Challenges ▶ This senior visited the clinic with a seven-month-old wound that began as a small trauma lesion. Despite diligent treatment at home with advanced dressings and antibiotics, the wound deteriorated, infected by chronic ulcer pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The wound heavily exuded, complicating her diabetes and hypertension management. The DEBRICHEM® Breakthrough ▶ At a crucial visit, this patient was introduced to DEBRICHEM®, a treatment known for its potent desiccating properties. DEBRICHEM® was applied directly to the wound bed, which showed a strong carbonization effect that dramatically altered the course of healing. Accelerated Healing Post-DEBRICHEM® ▶ Immediately following the DEBRICHEM® debridement, negative pressure therapy was initiated. Remarkably, exudation ceased within the first day, a significant relief from the persistent leakage she had endured. By the third day, the carbonization had lessened, and signs of healthy granulation appeared, signaling effective healing. By the sixth day, the wound displayed full granulation, and the negative pressure therapy was discontinued. Towards Complete Recovery ▶ Encouraged by the rapid improvement, her medical team scheduled a skin graft for the eighth day post-DEBRICHEM® application. This step was not just a treatment but a promise of returning normalcy and freedom from the constant worry of her wound. A Glimpse into the Healing Process ▶ Have a look at the Case Report below or visit https://lnkd.in/e4E3JnRs to receive our complete case report booklet! Join Us in Celebrating Healing ▶ Every week, we bring you stories like this, where DEBRICHEM® not only heals wounds but also restores hope and quality of life. Visit our website to read more about how DEBRICHEM® is helping individuals overcome chronic wounds. www.debx-medical.com 🚀 #DEBRICHEM #DEBxMedical #Biofilm #Woundcare

Triumph Over A Chronic Venous Ulcer: A 94-Year-Old’s Remarkable Recovery 💪 In the constant battle against chronic wounds, a 94-year-old woman faced a daunting challenge with a venous ulcer on her left lower leg. This wound had persisted for four years, causing significant pain and disruption in her daily life. Here's how DEBRICHEM® played a pivotal role in her healing journey. ▶ Chronic Wound Struggles This non-smoker, diagnosed with Type 6 chronic venous insufficiency, had been living with a non-healing wound that refused to improve despite various treatments. The stubborn ulcer was not only painful but also heavily exudative and dehydrated, complicating her condition further. ▶ The DEBRICHEM® Solution During the clinic visit, DEBRICHEM® was applied to the wound. The procedure, performed under local anesthesia, marked a turning point. DEBRICHEM®’s unique desiccating properties began working immediately, targeting the biofilm and infection that had plagued her for so long. ▶ Remarkable Progress The results were swift and significant. Three weeks post-application, notable improvement was observed. The wound started to granulate and showed reduced exudation. After six weeks of follow-up treatment, combined with Suprasorb X and PHMB, the wound was completely closed. ▶ Visual Proof The transformation is evident in the progress photos: Figure A: Initial presentation of the wound. Figure B: After DEBRICHEM® application. Figure C: Three weeks post-application. Figure D: Six weeks post-application, showing complete healing. ▶ Celebrating Healing Each week, we share stories like this to highlight the effectiveness of DEBRICHEM® in transforming lives by healing chronic wounds. Join us in celebrating these remarkable recoveries and the advancements in wound care that make them possible. Follow DEBx Medical so you don't miss any inspiring stories: https://lnkd.in/eUdBM2U7 Visit our website to read more case studies. Sign up via our website to receive updates directly to your inbox: https://lnkd.in/e4E3JnRs 🚀 #WoundCare #HealingJourney #HealthcareInnovation #DEBxMedical #DEBRICHEM #DEBRIDEMENT

It's with a very sad heart that I share this post. My oldest son Alex passed away unexpectedly last week. It was from an Aortic Dissection, the result of Marfan Syndrome. I'm sharing Alex's story for many reasons. To those in my network trying to make the healthcare system better, don't forget the critical importance of patient engagement. Challenge the way you look at engagement. Marfan Syndrome is a connective tissue disease. The syndrome affects people that have it in many different ways and levels of severity. For Alex, his symptoms started in middle school with knee caps that would move around, his doctor's diagnosis was "loose joints", no further tests, no suggested treatments. In his later teens, Alex started experiencing difficulty swallowing food, after multiple doctors, consensus diagnosis was "it was in Alex's head". From there Alex basically gave up on the healthcare system and shifted his focus to living with pain. Very thankfully Alex turned to music and art to manage his pain, we're extremely happy that he made such a positive choice, I'm sure most people in similar situations do not. Fast forward through a couple decades of pain and Alex was very good at living with it. Unfortunately that includes on the day he died when we couldn't get him to see a doctor for care. Aortic Dissection. For those of you in the provider community, I hope that reading this will encourage you to always challenge and re-challenge your diagnosis. Please also always be thoughtful about the impact you have on your patient's engagement. Your one diagnosis may just be piece of a broader longitudinal patient experience. For those of you in the payer space, please find ways to remove barriers to access and testing. Encourage your members to seek care, lower deductibles and simplify benefits and coverage policies. To fellow parents, there's nothing worse in life than losing a child. Hug yours today and every day hereafter. Many of adult kids don't seek out the care they need. For disengaged children, helping them is a tall task. Over time chronic pain sufferers get better and better at hiding or dismissing pain. Even if you have suspicions about their health, tough love may not be enough. The answer? I don't know. Maybe sharing this message can help at least a few. That would be a great outcome of this avoidable tragedy. And the main reason I share my pain and this story. To all young adults like Alex, take a fresh look at your health. If you haven't had a physical since high school, get your butts in there. If you don't have one, establish a primary care physician (PCP), and start building a trusted relationship. To everyone else, thanks for reading this far and please help battle heart disease. We've formed a team in the AHA Heart Walk in the Twin Cities on 6/1/24, which happens to be Alex's 36th birthday. https://lnkd.in/dy7qTV46 Thank you! Dan Hardtke

Russell Creed's remarkable journey of resilience and determination is inspirational. Living with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a rare disease, Russell refuses to let it define him. Instead, he embraces life fully, finding joy in every moment and inspiring others to do the same. His message of positivity and perseverance reminds us to focus on what we can control and cherish life's beauty. Russell's experiences teach us that there is always room for hope and happiness, even in adversity. Russell showed us that by living with this debilitating disease and a liver transplant and still refusing to give up. Thank you, Russell, for sharing your story with us. Your courage and spirit of giving back give hope to patients living with #PSC and inspire us all. At PatientWing, we believe in the power of patient stories to increase awareness of rare disease research. Visit https://lnkd.in/eS9-Uyzr for more inspiring stories like Russell's. #raredisease #clinicalresearch #clinicaltrials #patientrecruitment #psc #primarysclerosingcholangitis

A CKD diagnosis can cause many physical and emotional challenges in a patient's life. Here are 10 inspiring quotes to remind you that there is always hope.

Cornea Steytler, aged 53 from Kloof, KZN, experienced rejection after 22 years with a kidney transplant and is now back on the waiting list for another transplant.  1. Which organ did you receive, and in what year? A kidney transplant in 1999 from a deceased donor. 2. When did you go into rejection and do you know what type of rejection?  In 2021 I started showing signs of rejection, which was picked up by routine blood tests. 3. Are you receiving any treatment and what type of treatment? I'm on hemodialysis. 4. How did you discover that you are in rejection?? The rejection happened over a period of time, started seeing swelling of my feet and then the routine tests showed that there was a problem. 5. What emotions did you experience when you received the diagnosis of chronic rejection? It was not a shock more than disappointment – you want your transplanted kidney to last a lifetime, but not all patients are that lucky. I knew that I would eventually have to go back on dialysis but the 22 years that I had a dialysis free life was wonderful. Both dialysis and a transplant are only treatments not a cure. 6. What is the prognosis, is a transplant part of the treatment? I am back on the transplant list from December 2023, and pray for another miracle. 7.What advice would you give other patients going through rejection?  Don’t get despondent. You’ve been through so much already. Every day is a gift. Some days are just better than others. Just keep going, you will get the courage and strength to get through it. Stay focused and believe. It's just a steppingstone not a stumble block. You’ve got this! #rejection #kidneytransplant #kidneyrecipient #waitinglist #KwaZuluNatal

Discover the silent work of your extraordinary kidneys! Did you know symptoms appear only when about 70% of kidney function is lost? Many Canadians have chronic kidney disease (CKD) without realizing it, making early intervention crucial. 🩺 Watch this webinar recap video from The Kidney Foundation of Canada to gain insight into understanding your kidneys, navigate CKD stages, and learn essential steps to safeguard your kidney function. Equip yourself with knowledge—