Artist Tan Beo escapes the need for dialysis.

Doctors at Tam Anh General Hospital have developed a personalized treatment plan to preserve kidney function, helping 59-year-old artist Tan Beo avoid dialysis despite suffering from stage 4 kidney failure.

According to his family, over a year ago, artist Tan Beo suffered a stroke and was rushed to the hospital. Afterward, he suffered from sequelae and was diagnosed with stage 5 (end-stage) kidney failure. He underwent dialysis at a hospital and had surgery on his arm to prepare for long-term, regular hemodialysis. At this point, his kidney failure had progressed to stage 4.

"This is a consequence of my habit of eating salty foods, pickled foods, rotten eggs, fish sauce, and drinking beer late at night," artist Tan Beo shared.

In March 2025, he visited Tam Anh Polyclinic in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, for a check-up and to register for regular dialysis. Dr. Do Thi Hang, Head of the Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, said that the artist had many underlying conditions, and these diseases not only caused harm independently but also interacted, exacerbating each other, accelerating the rate of kidney function decline and increasing the risk of serious complications.

Doctor Hang conducts a follow-up examination for artist Tan Beo.

Photo: BVCC

Doctor Hang explained that artist Tan Beo had chronic kidney disease before, but it went undetected. Therefore, the stroke, along with other risk factors, put the kidneys into a severe acute renal failure, causing a sudden decline in function to stage 5.

Artist Tan Beo has been given a personalized treatment plan to preserve kidney function, improve overall health, and delay dialysis for as long as possible. Doctors prescribed medication to lower his blood pressure to a target level of below 140/90 mmHg, adjust his HbA1c blood sugar to below 7%, and lower his LDL-C blood lipids to below 1.8 mmol/L. All medications are safe for the kidneys while effectively controlling underlying conditions, preventing the risk of a second stroke.

After 3 months, artist Tan Beo's glomerular filtration rate improved, from 24 mL/min/1.73 ^m² ( stage 5) to 31 mL/min/1.73 ^m² ( stage 3B ). The patient was no longer required to undergo regular dialysis, only needing monthly check - ups .

At the end of October 2025, artist Tan Beo returned for a follow-up examination. At this time, he was able to eat and drink normally, walk on his own , and speak fluently . The artist said that after two years battling illness, he was planning to return to the stage, but still had difficulty moving around due to the aftereffects of a stroke. Doctor Hang advised him to do physical therapy to improve his mobility and blood circulation…

Each month, approximately 1,500 to 1,700 kidney patients come for examination.

Each month, the Tam Anh General Hospital system in Ho Chi Minh City receives approximately 1,500-1,700 kidney patients for examination, of which nearly 50% suffer from chronic kidney failure. Individualized treatment protocols have helped many patients avoid dialysis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition in which the kidneys are gradually damaged and lose function over time, lasting more than 3 months. Damaged kidneys cannot filter blood effectively, causing waste products and excess fluid to accumulate in the body, leading to various health problems. Common causes include diabetes, high blood pressure, glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, and urinary tract obstruction.

The disease is divided into five stages based on the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which measures the kidney's ability to filter blood. Stage 4 is characterized by severely impaired kidney function, with an eGFR of 15-29 ml /min. Patients may experience symptoms such as fatigue, edema, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, hypertension, and anemia. In stage 3B, the kidneys are moderately damaged, with moderate to severe function.

If left uncontrolled, CKD can lead to many serious complications such as anemia, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, malnutrition, and weakened immunity. When the kidneys lose almost all function, dialysis or kidney transplantation is necessary to maintain life.

According to Dr. Hang, people undergoing dialysis, whether hemodialysis (blood filtration via machine) or peritoneal dialysis (blood filtration through the abdominal cavity), face numerous physical, psychological, social, and financial difficulties. Besides health problems, they have to live with the machines for life, spending 3-4 hours at a time, three times a week, going to the hospital or dialysis center, which wastes time and disrupts other activities.

Dr. Hang advises that to prevent kidney failure, it is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle including drinking enough water, having a scientific diet, limiting salt and alcohol, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and controlling blood pressure and blood sugar. At the same time, regular health check-ups are essential to detect any abnormalities early.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nghe-si-tan-beo-thoat-canh-chay-than-185251104211845344.htm