Doctor recommends early referral of kidney patients to nephrologists
NAN-HG-11
Disease
By Chinenye Offor
Abuja, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) Dr Okezie Emenike, an Abuja-based medical doctor, said early referral of patients with kidney disease to nephrologists could possibly halt progression of the condition.
He said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
Emenike noted that early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause as well as the institutional secondary preventive measures was essential in managing patients with kidney disease.
According to him, step such as timely planning for long term renal replacement therapy is essential in managing the condition in patients.
“Delaying the progression of the condition and treating the pathologic manifestations of chronic kidney disease is an important tool in managing patients.
“It is recommended that dialysis should be delayed in patients without symptoms until the estimated glomerular filtration rate drops to 6ml/min/1.73 m.
“It is also better to start dialysis on the first onset of a clinical indication of uremia, fluid overload and refractory hyperkalamia,’’ he advised.
However, Emenike advised close monitoring of patients with the condition if the estimated glomerular reaches 15ml/min/1.73 m, stressing that it is key in managing it.
He further stressed that patients with chronic kidney disease presenting with indications for dialectic therapy should be transferred to a hospital where acute dialysis can be performed. (NAN)
CSO/FNO/MST
Edited by Franca Ofili and controlled by Muhammad Suleiman Tola