Claxton-Hepburn

Kidney Disease THE KIDNEYS ARE responsible for removing fluids and waste from the body, as well as regulating minerals—such as sodium and calcium—in the bloodstream. CKD occurs when people have conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure that damage the kidneys and reduce their ability to function. Over time, CKD can lead to kidney failure, at which point the kidneys can no longer function on their own. Unless a patient with kidney failure receives a transplant, he or she will require the aid of dialysis, a regular procedure that filters the blood in place of the kidneys. Convenient Care Patients can receive on-site hemodialysis at the Dr. Ravinder N. Agarwal Renal Center, where their blood is sent through a dialyzer that filters it as healthy kidneys would. Most patients come to the Center three times per week, and the process takes three to four hours. Peritoneal dialysis is another at-home treatment option offered through the Center. After a catheter is surgically placed in the peritoneal cavity in the abdomen, patients can inject a dialysis solution to filter waste. The waste is then drained along with the solution. This process typically takes half an hour to complete. Comprehensive Care for Benefits of home hemodialysis include: • better blood pressure control • improved heart condition • more diet flexibility • higher quality of life Approximately 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to the National Kidney Foundation. For those dealing with the condition, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center offers renal care options with convenience in mind. "In addition to a significant time commitment, on-site hemodialysis requires patients to maintain a strict diet in between treatments to control blood pressure," says Manasvi Jaitly, MD, FASN, internal medicine physician and nephrologist at Claxton-Hepburn. "For added convenience, the Agarwal Renal Center offers at-home dialysis options for patients who qualify." With home hemodialysis, patients can undergo dialysis in the comfort of their homes, as well as set their own schedules for how often they dialyze. For example, patients can dialyze for shorter time periods five to seven days per week or even dialyze at night. "The Agarwal Renal Center is the only facility of its kind in the North Country offering a home hemodialysis program, which allows patients who live farther away to benefit from the excellent team we have assembled here," Dr. Jaitly says. "To make sure patients are comfortable with the process, staff members at the Center provide around eight weeks of education and training." If you or a loved one is dealing with any stage of chronic kidney disease, the Agarwal Renal Center can help. Visit www.claxtonhepburn.org and choose "Renal Care" under "Our Services" to learn more. The Dr. Ravinder N. Agarwal Renal Center invites those currently receiving dialysis to visit the Center for a week and become familiar with actual equipment used for home hemodialysis treatment as part of our "Experience the Difference" program. Call the Center at (315) 394-9718 for more details. 5 L I V ING WE L L www.claxtonhepburn.org

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