1998: You are weak and itchy
Examination
- You told the nurse that you're weak, nauseous, itchy, and short of breath. Your skin is sallow. I also see that your lower legs and feet are swollen. OK. I'm going run a couple of blood tests: a BUN, or blood urea nitrogen, a creatinine, and a complete blood count. I'll also need a 24-hour urine sample to check for creatinine clearance.
Diagnosis
- Two days later... I'm afraid the news is not good. Based on my information -- the symptoms you mentioned, plus your complexion, your swollen feet, and the results of your bloodwork -- you are suffering from renal failure. In other words, your kidneys are not working.
Treatment
- I'm going to send you to a nephrologist -- a kidney specialist. She'll probably prescribe iron and vitamin pills, as well as erythropoietin, a hormone usually produced by the kidney, to treat your anemia, or low red blood cell count. She'll also put you on a special diet. You'll most likely go on a kidney dialysis machine, and, if all goes well, eventually receive a kidney transplant.
Prognosis
- Five years later...
I glad you're feeling well. Your body seems to have accepted the new kidney with few complications. Of course, you need to continue taking your immunosuppressive drugs, or else your body will reject the new organ.
Start Over | 1900 | 1950 | 1998