By: Danay Pérez Pérez, Health Services
Providers have a special connection with their patients. In many cases, a suggestion can manage to avoid a kidney complication in time. Here are some important points to discuss with your patients when guiding them on kidney health, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Emphasize the importance of monitoring your blood sugar and blood pressure levels as a preventative measure to minimize kidney damage.
• Educate in a clear and simple language, what the levels of albuminuria, glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and creatinine in the urine of patients with diabetes and hypertension symbolize.
• Suggest your patients consult a nephrologist in case they present early signs of kidney damage.
• Encourage your patients to have a kidney function test as part of their annual tests.
With these suggestions, together with your decisions as a provider, they will allow our patients to prevent and detect kidney conditions in time, maintaining their quality of life for more years.
References:
• Tidy, C., & Willacy, H. (2023, February 10). Routine Kidney Function Blood Test. Patient Info. Retrieved March 13, 2023, Recuperado de https://patient.info/kidney-urinary-tract/chronic-kidney-disease-leaflet/routinekidneyfunctionbloodtest#:~:text=The%20usual%20blood%20test%20which%20checks%20that%20the,levels%20of%20urea%2C%20creatinine%20and%20certain%20dissolved%20salts.
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). Chronic Kidney Disease Initiative: Prevention and Risk Management. Retrieved February 16, 2023, Recuperado de https://nccd.cdc.gov/ckd/TopicHome/BurdenOfRiskFactors.aspx
• Haldeman-Englert, C., Turley, R. J., & Novick, T. (2022). Tasa de filtración glomerular. UC San Diego Health. Retrieved February 23, 2023, Recuperado de https://myhealth.ucsd.edu/Spanish/RelatedItems/167,glomerular_filtration_rate_ES
