Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease is also known as chronic renal disease and is a progressive loss in renal function over a period of months or years. The symptoms of worsening kidney function are non-specific, and might include feeling generally unwell and experiencing a reduced appetite.

The final stages of chronic kidney disease is called end - stage renal disease (ESRD). At this stage, the kidneys are no longer able to remove enough wastes and excess fluids from the body. At this point, individuals will need dialysis.

This disease leads to a build-up of waste products in the body, which then begin to affect most of body systems and functions, including:

• High blood pressure
• Low blood count
• Vitamin D and bone health
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Increase pain
• Muscle cramps

Our Occupational Therapists can support individuals who are having difficulties managing their daily activities through finding out what support is available and how to access it. Our therapists can also assess the home environment in order to improve safety in daily activities such as having a bath, cooking and getting around.

Problems associated with Chronic Kidney Disease

Individuals with chronic kidney disease may be unable to perform some activities of daily living due to limited energy or decreased range of motion.

Daily activities may include:

• Washing
• Dressing
• Driving
• Work activities
• Sleeping
• Leisure activities
• Social activities
• Cooking
• Cleaning

Our Occupational Therapists will work with individuals and identify meaning and purposeful goals that can help them maintain, regain or improve their independence by using different techniques, changing their environment and using new equipment.

How can these difficulties impact on function?

Chronic kidney disease can largely impact on the individual diagnosed. It not only affects their abilities to function independently but also manage their moods effectively. Below is a summary of how chronic kidney disease can affect the different aspects of an individual's life:

Home:

• Difficulties sleeping
• Difficulties washing and dressing independently
• Difficulties cleaning
• Difficulties cooking
• Difficulties getting up in the mornings
• Difficulties mobilising

Social/behavioural:

• Stigma
• Completing social activities
• Participating in leisure activities
• Feelings of depression and stress

What exactly is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic kidney disease is a permanent kidney damage or decrease level of kidney function that continues for three months or more. When left untreated, chronic kidney disease can lead to complete kidney failure. If that happens, the only options for survival are dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Kidney disease is most often caused by other conditions that put strain on the kidneys.

High blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes are the most common causes of kidney disease. The evidence indicates that high blood pressure causes just over a quarter of all cases of kidney failure. Diabetes has been established as the cause of around one-third of all cases.

There are many other conditions that less commonly cause chronic kidney disease including:

• Glomerulonephritis.
• Pyelonephritis.
• Polycystic kidney disease.
• Abnormal kidney development.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Chronic kidney disease is a serious condition that requires urgent attention. It affects around 35 per cent of people over the age of 65 years and it us predicted that 31 per cent of cases of all people who have chronic kidney disease remain undiagnosed.

Occupational Therapy assessments suitable for Chronic Kidney Disease.

All Our Occupational Therapists are highly experienced and can complete a range of comprehensive standardised assessments for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.These assessments are used to gather the relevant information needed to develop appropriate treatment plans. Assessments suitable for those with chronic kidney disease include the following:

• Cognitive assessments
• Functional assessment
• Activities of daily living assessments
• Aids and adaptations assessment
• Risk assessment
• Workplace assessment

Our Occupational Therapists can also carrying out non-standardised assessment which include, observing individuals completing a task, or interviewing the individual and their family members. It is through applying both standardised and non-standardised assessments whereby our Occupational Therapists can gather information that is pure and accurate.

Occupational therapy treatment available

Our Occupational Therapists are highly trained and experiences and can identify the strengths and difficulties individuals may have in everyday life, such as dressing or getting to the shop, and will help individuals work out practical solutions to tackle these. Our Occupational Therapy treatments for individuals with chronic kidney disease aim to not only increase their life satisfaction but also:

• Functional independence
• Social interaction
• Increase safety
• Improve self-care
• Mood management abilities
• Improve mobility

Our Occupational Therapists have been uniquely trained to break down tasks into individual components to better understand the performance demands it has on the individual. Our Occupational Therapists uses a client-centred approach to find out what are the most important daily activities to the individual. Our treatments are very flexible and can be made to suit each and every individual. Treatments here can be carried out on an individual basis or in a group, with the option to be conducted here in one of our clinics or in the comfort of your own home.

Summary

Our Occupational Therapists work with people of all ages and can look at all aspects of daily life, from the home to the school or workplace. Our Occupational Therapists can help individuals undergoing dialysis treatment live a more fulfilling and healthy lifestyles, through helping them modify or adapt the activities they perform.

Living with a permanent condition such as chronic kidney disease can impact greatly on the lives of those diagnosed and their family and friends. Our Occupational Therapists are highly experienced and can work with both individuals and families to create an effective treatment plan to enhance the life of those with the disorder and those surrounding them

How to arrange to see an occupational therapist?

Would you like one of our Occupational Therapy assessments if so then please feel free to email us your enquires at office@londonot.co.uk or Call us on 02033 937 332