Many Virginians know very little about kidney disease Prevention

 

"Unlike many diseases, kidney disease often has no symptoms until it is very advanced," says Wallace S. Green Sr., Founder of Health & Awareness, following eight years dialysis treatment and interviewing over 100 dialysis patients.

For more than 30 years he had no idea of the damage and unaware of the effect over the counter protein tablets, drinks, shakes, larger volume of high protein meats and vegetables was taking on my kidney functions until it was too late.  The overload of protein cause his kidney to fail because he was unable to read and understand his lab test results.  After viewing other patients lab test r, he notice a pattern that does not give the patients any advance notice their kidney functions is decreasing.

Your health provider order a simple blood and urine test to check your kidneys  functions- glomerular filtration rate (GFR) this show how well your kidneys are working. (It is recommended to request the actual GFR numbers between 120 and 15). The GFR normally gives  to patients is <60 is a normal range and 60> may mean you have kidney disease.

Without the actual GFR number between 120 and 15, patients rely on health providers decisions rather than allowing patients to take part in a treatment plan until matter are out of hands. Each of the patients WallACE interviewed on dialysis did not have preventive information and just like WallACE was unable to make the necessary changes to slow down or stop the progression of the problem that harm the kidney function.

Health & Awareness is not attempting to remove the treatment from health providers, rather educating the at risk kidney people so they not in the dark and together they become a preventive team.

Sure, doctors ask if we have questions – most patients find it difficult to ask the right questions about something they are not knowledgeable about?

WallACE suggest you choose a doctor that treats you like a patient without knowledge rather than a medical colleague, that has the answers!

Kidney disease can be treated very effectively if it is caught in the early stages. Dietitians and Nutrition are very important parts of prevention, only if they have knowledge of all your medical issues, the medication you are taking and a copy of your lab test result - past and most resent.

“Keep in mind -There is no such thing as one size fits all in medical treatment.”

And Common Sense Good along way.

For this reason and others, it is crucial for people to not only become aware of kidney risk factors but also know the cause and symptoms.

We can't say enough about complying with health provider orders but its just as important to take part in health care provider's treatment plans. Failure to do so and maintain health management can result in heart disease or stroke.

If you answer yes to any of the following questions you might be at risk for kidney disease  Request a kidney screening

Do you have:

• Diabetes

• High Blood Pressure

• Family History of Kidney Disease

• Obesity

• History of Gout

• Heavy use of Protein

Learn the meaning of your lab code, measurements and what causes your lab test results to raise or lower (food, medication, lack of exercise, lifestyle, etc.). Testing is even more important for the African Americans, Asian, Indian population, they are at higher risk for kidney disease.  "Keep in mind Kidney Disease like most chronic disease are often classified as inherited from family members - we have found kidney is passed on more by family customs, eating habits and life style.

If one or both kidneys fail completely and the damage can't be reversed, the condition is called kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). When this occurs, your kidneys can no longer filter wastes well enough to keep you healthy. The symptoms for ESRD include fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and itching.

Many researchers are studying kidney disease. They are looking for cures, ways to improve diagnosis, make treatments more effective, and make dialysis and transplantation work better. The good news is while they are working on these you can take an active role in the prevention early until research find a cure!

Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy

Medical Mistakes Are The 3rd Leading Cause Of Death

WHEN IT COMES TO RECEIVING HEALTH CARE.

Many doctors are intimidated when you ask questions; warning doesn't let that prevent you from getting the answer you need to live a healthier life!

The consequences of a misdiagnosis can be devastating.  Your actual health condition can progress untreated.  Most people with Kidney disease are unaware they have it because of delayed preventive treatment and the individuals’ lack of knowledge of the cause and risk factors or simply unawareness of how to live with Kidney disease without requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Some doctor begins dialysis (invasive or risky treatments) much too soon without providing the patient with Kidney disease prevention since the early stage of Kidney failure is preventable. Misdiagnosis offers unnecessary procedures and death.

The number of U.S. centers has increased by 4% every year, according to a June report by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.  In 1998, there were 3,394 dialysis centers as of 2016 the Kidney dialysis center industry profile has grown to over 6,000 annual revenues of $19 billion.  Dialysis is big business; Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway announced Dialysis is America’s next big Market Opportunity.  While the company’s shareholders have been earning money hand over fist, Warren had stocks totaling over $37 million.  Only 8% of U.S. dialysis patients treat themselves at home. The vast majority of the more than 350,000 Americans on dialysis are treated in centers.

Virginian continual to be blindside, many with some doctor’s misdiagnosis Kidney disease and suggesting dialysis much too soon when the lab results could be a flu or a number of other medical conditions.  I have seen and was a victim of not being aware of preventive action which could be taken during my follow-up visit to the nephrologist (is a medical doctor who specializes in kidney care and treating diseases of the Kidneys) fell victim to dialysis.

While some doctors watch your Kidney rating decrease as progressing conditions and long-term consequences to your Kidney get worst and if proper measures are taken early dialysis, Kidney transplant or death could have been avoided.

Unfortunately, since my Kidney failure, I have notice Kidney disease misdiagnosis is not a rare event; starting with my mother.  After forming Health & Awareness and raising awareness to many the need for dialyzes has been required as recommended by medical doctors.

During my awareness presentation individuals with other diseases and conditions which are more commonly misdiagnosed includes cancer infection, heart attack, coronary artery disease, diabetes, Kidney disease better understands the importance of taking an active role in their health care, asking questions, reading and understand their lab and exam results that will help stop medical misdiagnosis.

Misdiagnosis can take place in your doctor's office, in a hospital in the emergency room or in a laboratory or over the phone. Many misdiagnoses occur because a doctor fails to listen to the patients or fail to order the correct tests; test results are not read correctly or rush to decision without considering lab results can apply to many symptoms and their medical professional choice fails to recognize your condition. It is extremely important that you understand how your misdiagnosis takes place, who is responsible and whether a reasonable standard level of care was provided and if you took an active role in your health care to eliminate misdiagnosis for you or your loved ones.  Many of us are suffering from a misdiagnosis because we do not realize we must learn to live for our self and visit health provider to treat us.

Health & Awareness are aimed at raising awareness, encourage the importance of asking questions and to take an active role in your healthcare.  No one knows your body better than you. I have experienced what could have been a life threaten medicine disaster, witness patients receiving the incorrect medicine, given the wrong meals while hospitalized, rush to decision and received medical care from providers that did not listen and talked.

Lack of communication and understanding between patients and medical providers is the most common reason for misdiagnosed in health conditions. These are the personal experience of the founder and other patients I spoke with.  I passionately believe that it is Health & Awareness that puts Prevention in Motion - Volunteers need to spread the word!