 |
| More than 50 dialysis beds at the Department of Nephrology - Urology and Dialysis ( Thai Nguyen Central Hospital) are always full, with 3 shifts per day. |
From subjectivity to serious illness
Dr. Do Van Tung, Head of the Department of Nephrology - Urology and Dialysis, Thai Nguyen Central Hospital, said: Many patients, due to subjectivity, ignore the initial signs or do not comply with treatment, so when the disease is discovered, it is already at stage 5 and must undergo dialysis (artificial kidney dialysis). However, due to good adherence to the treatment regimen, along with a reasonable diet, rest, and exercise regimen, many cases can still maintain a conservative treatment period of 20-30 years.
The case of Mr. Nguyen Hoang Trang (in Gia Sang ward) is an example. In 1994, he discovered that one kidney had shrunk but because “there was no significant impact” he did not seek treatment. Ten years later, the other kidney also failed, forcing him to be attached to a dialysis machine since 2004. Currently, he regularly goes to the hospital for dialysis three times a week.
Because he has health insurance for the disabled, all of his expenses are covered by the State. Mr. Trang shared: After each dialysis session, his body feels lighter, so if he has the conditions to do more dialysis, he believes his health will improve.
The case of Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, a teacher at Diem Mac Primary School, also makes many people feel sorry. Having been attached to a dialysis machine for 20 years, every week, she has to travel 3 times by bus, more than 50km, to Thai Nguyen Central Hospital for dialysis.
 |
| Adhering to the treatment regimen, combining with a reasonable diet and rest, Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, a teacher at Diem Mac Primary School, despite many years of dialysis, still goes to class to teach. |
Ms. Phuong shared: Although the district hospital also has a dialysis machine, due to my poor health, I am cautious, if I have complications, I will be treated promptly here. Before, I often had to ride my motorbike more than 10km to Quan Vuong to catch a bus. Now there is a bus route that passes in front of my house, I can go by myself. Only when I am tired do I need a family member to go with me. Because health insurance only covers 80%, I spend about 2-2.5 million VND per month on dialysis. In addition, to treat hepatitis C, coronary artery disease, heart failure and maintain better dialysis quality, I have to spend an additional 4-5 million VND on medicine, and a few million VND on other expenses.
5 stages of silent kidney damage
According to Dr. Do Van Tung, chronic kidney disease progresses through 5 stages, from mild to very severe. Stages 1 and 2, the kidneys are damaged but the filtering function is still relatively good, with few obvious symptoms. In stage 3 (glomerular filtration rate drops to 30-59 ml/min), the patient begins to experience anemia, high blood pressure, mild edema, fatigue, but is often subjective.
At stage 4 (filtration rate 15-29 ml/min), kidney function is severely impaired, toxins accumulate, and health declines significantly. Finally, at stage 5 - end-stage renal failure (filtration rate <15 ml/min), the patient must undergo kidney replacement therapy by hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplantation.
Many patients initially suffer from diseases that seem “not too dangerous” - high blood pressure, diabetes, glomerulonephritis - but due to improper treatment or prolonged use of herbal or western medicine, the kidneys gradually become irreversibly damaged. When the kidneys lose their ability to filter toxins and balance water and electrolytes, renal replacement therapy is the only solution to sustain life.
It is estimated that for each patient with end-stage chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, insurance will pay about 10 million VND/month, not including the cost of additional medicine to improve health, food, travel and other services that the patient must pay.
Dr. Tung added: About 80% of the patients are in difficult circumstances. There is a family with a father, daughter and grandchild who all have to undergo dialysis, notably the son is only 21 years old. Kidney disease, especially forms such as hereditary glomerulonephritis and polycystic kidney disease, still have a certain genetic nature.
 |
| Many people subjectively do not go for regular health check-ups, so when the disease is discovered, it is already at the stage where dialysis is required. |
Comply to be healthier
Not only a concern for the elderly, chronic kidney disease is becoming increasingly "younger". A salty diet, high in protein, low in vegetables; the habit of abusing processed foods; lack of exercise; drinking little water; smoking, drinking alcohol... all are silently damaging the kidneys of young people. The number of kidney failure patients under 40 years old is increasing.
Although chronic kidney failure is difficult to cure, following the treatment regimen, eating and taking medication as directed, and maintaining a positive spirit still helps many patients maintain their quality of life. Many people like Ms. Phuong, despite having to undergo dialysis three times a week, are still able to work, take care of themselves, and even send their son to college.
Doctor Tung recommends: People need to have regular health check-ups, check kidney function with high-risk diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or have relatives with kidney disease. Absolutely do not arbitrarily use herbal medicine or medicine of unknown origin. This habit can cause the disease to progress from mild to late stage very quickly.
Dialysis is a long and challenging journey. However, with the support of family, doctors and health insurance policies, hundreds of patients at Thai Nguyen Central Hospital are still preserving their precious lives every day.
Most importantly, if detected early and treated seriously, many patients can completely delay the progression of the disease to end-stage renal failure, avoiding lifelong dependence on dialysis.
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/y-te/202507/chay-than-cuoc-chiencan-ky-luat-va-niem-tin-3dc17a3/
Comment (0)