++ National Renal Care ++

CAN'T GO ON HOLIDAY BECAUSE YOU HAVE KIDNEY DISEASE? THINK AGAIN!	28 Sep 2009
CAN’T GO ON HOLIDAY BECAUSE YOU HAVE KIDNEY DISEASE? THINK AGAIN! “Living Well with Kidney Disease” Johannesburg, TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2009. Yes you can. National Renal Care (NRC) offers a national foot print of units that allows you to travel extensively throughout South Africa. “It is possible to take a vacation as long as you plan your treatment beforehand,” says Noeleen Phillipson, CEO of National Renal Care (NRC). There are 51 National Renal Care (NRC) units placed nationally including popular holiday destinations such as East London, King Williamstown and Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, Balito, Margate, Richardsbay and Umhlanga in KwaZulu-Natal, Blaauwberg, George, Paarl, Plettenberg Bay, Swellendam & Plumstead in the Western Cape as well as Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, to name but a few. “Our staff are fully trained in dialysis and are present during all procedures to ensure that our patients are comfortable and receiving the best treatment. We offer the full spectrum of dialysis treatments to all patients throughout South Africa including chronic haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and acute dialysis services, “said Phillipson. “We would like all dialysis patients in South Africa to feel free to go on holiday and rest assured that they can still receive treatment. All they need to do is contact the NRC unit nearest to their holiday destination and make arrangements to receive treatment while on holiday” added Phillipson. Below are some tips to help with maintaining your renal diet and still enjoy a fun-filled holiday with friends and family; Choose chicken, fish or steaks if you are having a braai. Fresh meats are low in sodium compared to processed meats such as hot dogs and sausages. Don’t over-do with sauces or salad dressings because these can add lots of hidden sodium. Try having a fresh, low potassium veggie tray with celery, cucumber, peppers and cauliflower. Combine sour cream with any salt-free herb seasoning blend for a quick dip. Instead of potato chips, cheese snacks or nuts, serve low salt pretzels with low sodium, mustard, unsalted popcorn or low salt tortilla chips. For dessert have apple pie. Instead of ice cream, enjoy non-dairy frozen dessert, for example, sorbet. Make a fruit tray with lower potassium fruits such as grapes, strawberries, pineapple and watermelon. The best drinks are lemonade, iced tea, lemon-lime soda or water. Make a sparkling drink with club soda and cranberry juice. Remember to count fluids if you are on a fluid limit. If you are on a transplant list you need to speak to your doctor before going on holiday. It is possible to travel whilst waiting for a kidney transplant. Your doctor or transplant coordinator can help you decide whether you will be able to return in time if a kidney becomes available. Carry sufficient medical supplies with you for the duration of the trip, plus extra in case of emergencies, or arrange for supplies to be delivered ahead of time to your destination. Bear in mind that travel luggage can go astray. It doesn't happen often but when it does, your luggage most often arrives on the next flight. To be safe, always pack all medications in your carry-on bag. Do not let the need for dialysis stop you from enjoying a special time with family and friends, make contact with any one of our National Renal Care units to ensure you have a special, relaxing holiday. Please refer to the contact details of the administrators in the different regions below or simply ask your Unit Manager to assist with the necessary arrangements. NATIONAL RENAL CARE (PTY) LTD 26 CEDAR AVENUE RICHMOND, 2019 JOHANNESBURG PRIVATE BAG X8 BRIXTON 2019 TELEPHONE: (011) 726 5206 FAX: (011) 726 8641/489 1416 www.nrc.co.za ADMINISTRATORS CAPE TOWN 084 264 4215 DURBAN OFFICE (031) 202 8896 EASTERN CAPE OFFICE (043) 722 1066 / 1071 GAUTENG CENTRAL OFFICE 082 411 2203 GAUTENG NORTH EAST OFFICE (012) 343 2606
Maxine Smith Living Well With Kidney Disease	15 Apr 2009
Living well with kidney disease Maxine Smith is a healthy, beautiful woman who lives life to the fullest. In fact, she is such a role model to women, mothers and all South Africans, that she made it into the top 7 finalists of Mrs United Nations in 2007. All of this even after her life was turned upside down … “I am a kidney failure patient,” says Smith, who resides in Johannesburg with her family, without hesitation. Since March 2006 she has been on dialysis three times per week for four hours at a time. To change her dietary habits and to put so much time aside for dialysis was initially an overwhelming shock for this active woman who is a self confessed “Biker Chick” with the nickname “Mad Max”. But, she adds quickly, she soon discovered even having a life-threatening disease does not mean your life comes to a halt. “I can honestly tell you that my life has changed for the better. At first my mind was in turmoil, but with the support of my family, friends, biking community, my kidney specialist and the Healthy Start Programme from National Renal Care (NRC), I soon made the mind shift that having kidney failure is not a death sentence. In fact, you can live well with kidney disease.” How to live well with kidney disease The first step is to go for regular check ups to detect Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) as early as possible. “If detected early CKD can be treated, thereby reducing other complications,” asserts Noeleen Phillipson, CEO of NRC. This is where the NRC Healthy Start Programme comes in. Smith still benefits from this programme today and it can help you just as it helped her to not only cope with CKD, but to live life it to the fullest. The Healthy Start Programme, which is available at all NRC centres nationwide, is unique to NRC. It is a lifestyle management programme for patients at risk of developing end-stage kidney disease, including patients with a family history of kidney disease. The primary aim of the programme is to help the patient retain a high quality of life while remaining as healthy as possible. Preventative strategies include: Early detection and treatment Meticulous hypertension control Strict Glyceaemic Control Anaemia management Modification of diet and lifestyle changes Psychosocial support “Education and psychosocial counseling for patients and their family members play a key role,” adds Phillipson. “And even when dialysis is unavoidable, like in Maxine’s case, you can still live a meaningful life.” Steps to take after being diagnosed with CKD The first step after being diagnosed with CKD, is to get all the information relating to your specific kidney problem. “The next step is to make a mind shift that having CKD or being on dialysis is not a death sentence. This can be extremely hard, but with the love and support of your loved ones or even a support group for CKD patients you could be able to cope with the changes that this disease necessitates,” says Smith. You need to meticulously follow the programme designed by your doctor to regulate your diet and exercise habits. “At first it is a big adjustment, but you will soon get used to it. The trick is to stick to it and to do what you can to still live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. It can be done!” says Smith. If suitable undergoing a kidney transplant can also be an option. “The NRC will be able to advise and guide you on deciding whether to have a transplant. We will also be able to give you the necessary support before, during and after the procedure,” explains Phillipson. The way forward Make a conscious decision today that you will take care of your kidneys and that you will go for regular check ups in order to detect any kidney problems as early as possible. “Drink lots of water and do moderate exercise. In a nutshell: live a balanced lifestyle, even though it is not always easy. Remember, the choices you make today will influence your future health,” says Phillipson. In Maxine’s case, even a healthy lifestyle could not protect her from kidney disease. “Never think it will not happen to you. Also remember to be even more cautious if you have a family history of kidney disease and to inform your doctor of this.” Maxine’s ongoing mission In between dialysis, “Mad Max” is back on her bike to raise awareness for kidney disease as far as she goes. “My advice is to keep your mind and emotional state as healthy and optimistic as possible. Having CKD and dialysis was not the end of my life and it need not be the end of yours. Be the best you can be, even with kidney disease.”