Dialysis – what you should know

Our kidneys perform a vital function. They take care of excreting toxic substances from our bodies and keeping our blood purified. When the kidneys do not function properly, the toxic substances are not excreted. It mixes with the blood, raising blood toxicity levels which can be dangerous.

Dialysis is a treatment that uses a machine to filter and purify the blood.  When the kidney is weak and cannot function optimally, the dialysis machine can take over purifying the blood.

How is dialysis done?

There are two types of dialysis:-

Haemodialysis

In this procedure, blood is diverted to an external machine, where it is filtered and then returned to the body.

Peritoneal dialysis

In this procedure, the dialysis fluid is pumped into the abdomen's space to draw out waste products from the blood.

Both types are equally effective, but in the former, you will have to visit the hospital, while the latter can be done at home. Your doctor will help you figure out which method is better for you.

Also Read: What is the procedure for dialysis?

Tips to ensure a good prognosis

•         Take medication regularly

•         Follow diet and water restriction

•         Take dialysis as many times as prescribed

With the proper care and support, you should be able to manage kidney disease with dialysis till you can get a transplant done.

If you are looking for a good nephrologist, you can look for one by searching online for “nephrologist near me”. Type “nephrologist near me” into your search engine and you will find a good one.

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Understanding Fatty Liver Disease

Dr. K. Elan Kumaran, Head, Liver Diseases and Transplantation at Kauvery Hospital, shares valuable insights regarding the fatty liver disease. The doctor worries that most people who come in today for a regular health check-up show signs of a fatty liver. If not reversed, it could worsen, and liver failure treatment may be needed.

What is fatty liver?

Fatty liver disease occurs due to the accumulation of triglycerides and other fats in the liver cells. Our liver should optimally contain 1-4% fat. If your liver contains between 5-15% fat, you have a fatty liver.

There are two kinds of fatty liver disease:-

•  Alcoholic fatty liver disease

•  Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Alcoholic fatty liver disease

Also known as alcoholic hepatitis, it occurs due to fat build-up and inflammation in the liver due to excessive alcohol consumption.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

This covers liver conditions that occur in people who drink little to no alcohol. Risk factors include:-

•         High cholesterol

•         Obesity

•         High blood pressure

•         Insulin resistance

•         Type 2 diabetes

Also Read: Functions and Diseases of the liver and how to keep it healthy

Prevention of fatty liver

Fatty liver is related to your lifestyle and shows no symptoms in the beginning. Unfortunately, by the time any symptoms manifest, the liver is already damaged, and you may need liver failure treatment. If you have been diagnosed with fatty liver, here are some tips on bringing it under control to reduce liver failure risk.

•         Maintain optimum weight

•         Eat a nutritious diet

•         Take regular exercise

•         Avoid alcohol

•         Take medication as prescribed

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Bell's Palsy – what you should know

Senior Consultant, Stroke and Neurovascular Medicine, Dr. Sivarajan Thandeeswaran of Kauvery Hospital, shares a few valuable insights regarding Bell's Palsy, a neurological disorder affecting the orientation of the face.

What is Bell's Palsy?

Bell's Palsy is an ailment that occurs when the nerves that control facial muscles expand, compress, or get inflamed. It is thought to be caused by infections or autoimmune diseases, but the exact trigger remains unknown. It can cause temporary weakness or paralysis in the face that manifests as drooping and stiffness on one side of the face. Smiles can look lop-sided, and one eye may droop or remain closed. This condition can occur at any age, but it is most common among people between the ages of 16 to 60. Scottish anatomist, Charles Bell, was the first to describe the condition, and it is named after him.

Also Read: Life after a stroke: Recovery and Rehabilitation

Bell's Palsy Treatment

This condition can be treated with anti-viral medicine and steroids, which will help remove infection and heal the nerves. In most cases, with Bell's Palsy treatment, the condition gets better and goes away in a few weeks to a few months. 15 % of affected patients may have improper recovery and may need further treatment that could include physical therapy, stronger medication, and electrical stimulation. Due to the nature of the condition, people often mistake Bell's Palsy for a stroke. It is advisable to see a doctor for a diagnosis. The most important fact about Bell's Palsy is that it is treatable.

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