THE IMPACT OF CHRONIC ILLNESS 1
TheImpact of Chronic Illness: Chronic Kidney Disease
InterviewReport
Participant: AK –45 years old.
Section I: Kidney Disease | Have you ever been told you have a kidney disease? Yes How long has it been since you were first diagnosed? 1-3 years How was this diagnosed? Blood tests – Identifies the level of waste products like urea and creatinine in my blood. Have you been told what caused your kidney disease? Diabetes Have you have any of the following: Kidney problems at birth or in childhood? No. Hospitalization due to kidney failure? No. Kidney failure while hospitalized for another reason? No. | Kidney stones? No. Bladder or kidney infections? No. Bladder or other urologic surgery? No. Difficulty emptying your bladder? No. Radiation to the abdomen or pelvis? No. Chemotherapy for cancer? No. Family history of kidney disease? No. Blood in the urine? Yes. It was a frightening experience. I went to see the doctor and said that it known as Hematuria. Foamy urine? No. |
Section II: Medications | Do you use regularly pain or anti-inflammatory medicines or NSAIDS (i.e. Aleve, naproxen, ibuprofen, Motrin)? Yes. 3 times weekly. | Do you use herbal supplements? No. |
Section III: High Blood Pressure | Do you have high blood pressure or take medicine for high blood pressure? No. | |
Section IV: Diabetes | Have you ever been told you have diabetes or prediabetes? Yes. How long ago you were first diagnosed? 3-5 years ago. Do you take or have you ever taken pills for diabetes? Yes. 1 year ago. Do you take or have you ever taken insulin? Yes. 1-3 years. | How well have your blood sugars been controlled? Usually 100 Do you have eye disease from diabetes? No. Have you had laser treatment for your eyes? No. |
Section V: Anemia | Have you ever been told you were anemic? No. |
Analysis
AK is a 45 years old man diagnosed with a Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD). According to El & Levin (2009), Chronic Kidney Disease isa progressive loss in functions of the kidney for many months oryears. Based on the questionnaire, AK suffers from the diabeticcondition. AK stated to have identified the disease – ChronicKidney Disease – through a blood test. According to AK, hiscondition was defined by the level of waste products like urea andcreatinine in his blood. The disease may also be identified when itresults in one of the recognized complications, for example, anemia –a condition AK claimed not to have been diagnosed with,cardiovascular disease, renal osteodystrophy, or pericarditis.
When asked about he had been told about his diagnosis of the disease,his answer shows that he was aware of his condition, a period ofthree and five years. His answer goes ahead to demonstrate that thedisease is a long-term type of kidney disease. El & Levin (2009)noted that there is a difference between acute and chronic kidneydisease in that reduction in kidney functions should be present forover four months. Based on his response, it is evident that thecondition was diagnosed through a blood test process for creatinine,which according to El & Levin (2009), refers to a breakdown ofmuscle metabolism product. AK mentioned waste products in the abovequestionnaire. This is because the high amount of creatinine shows alower rate of glomerular filtration, which in turn decreases theability of the patient`s (AK) kidneys to dispose of waste products.
Secondly, AK connects his illness (Chronic Kidney Disease) to anothercondition: diabetes. From his answer, he had been informed of is thepossibility of having diabetes more than a year ago. His diagnosis ofChronic Kidney Disease is a revelation of him having been diagnosedwith another condition – Diabetes before the CBK. As it should beunderstood, AK`s diabetic condition of close three years since it wasfirst diagnosed resulted in high blood sugar levels, thus making thekidney work extra hard to filter excess waste (El & Levin, 2009).Over time, his kidneys started to failure and in turn began to leakalbumin (protein) into the urine, and thus explains AK`s answer ofhaving blood-like substance in his blood.
AK noted to have received medication for CKD and diabetes. Forcontrol of CKD, he says to be taking the NSAIDS (Aleve and Naproxen)three times weekly according to his doctor`s instructions. AK alsoresponded regarding his diabetic condition stating that has sincetaken pills for diabetes over the past three years. Again, he saysthat he uses insulin for close to a year now. According to El &Levin (2009), NSAIDS drugs are common and are used as pain medicationamong adults. These drugs also decrease arthritic inflammation.However, AK affirmed to have used herbal medication for his CKDcondition. On the other hand, Insulin keeps the patient`s blood sugarlevel under control, from getting too high or too low (El &Levin, 2009). Fortunately, AK reported not to have had challengeswith his sight.
ChronicKidney Disease Coping and Support Skills
CopingSkills: Being diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease like AK canbe worrisome. One would be more concerned with the diagnosisconsidering it impacts his or her future. Because of the concerns andworries associated with CKD, there are some ways to help the patientcope with his or her feelings and concerns. In AK case, for instance,he will need to connect with individuals with the same illness. Thisis because individuals with the same condition tend to understand hisconcerns and feelings and can offer unmeasurable support. El &Levin (2009) noted that there are organizations or groups like that,for example, the American Association of Kidney Patients, theAmerican Kidney Fund, and the National Kidney Foundation.
Secondly, AKshould maintain his daily routine as much as possible, doing what heloves to do, and continue with work if his condition allows. Thisapproach may assist with reducing worries and coping with feelings ofloss or sadness following the diagnosis. Again, he needs to beactive, and with his doctor`s advice, he should aim close to 45minutes of physical activity three times a week to cope with stressand fatigue (El & Levin, 2009). Finally, AK should take withsomeone he trusts. Living with CKD can be daunting, and it would beadvisable to talk to someone about his condition.
Support: Apart from the support groups, AK can get supportfrom other parties in different forms. For instance, individuals withmore information about his condition would be of great help in betterunderstanding of the same. Learning about CKD will facilitate moreunderstanding about the illness. The patient will also feel a senseof his illness, and will then embark on finding the right medicationad treatment. Again, a doctor or nurse can offer another form ofsupport by reassuring AK and providing all the answers about thekidney disease. AK can also find support by conversing with a trainedpsychologist, counselor, or any other specialist.
Treatment
El & Levin(2009) states that although there is no actual treatment for ChronicKidney Disease, rigorous treatment can assist in relieving symptoms,prevent of slow down its progression of the illness. Treatment willalso reduce the risks of developing other related diseases. AK`streatment will depend on the stage of his Chronic Kidney Disease. Forinstance, CKD`s stages 1-3 are often treated by the patient`s generalprogression.
AK`s treatmentwill require that he changes his lifestyle, and in some instances,should take medication to control his blood pressure even when thequestionnaire does not show examples of HBP. The medication will alsocontrol his blood pressure by lowering the cholesterol levels (El &Levin, 2009). In addition to the medication in the questionnaire, AKwill have to be prescribed other forms of medicine to prevent orcontrol the CKD`s symptoms.
Conclusion
The paperprovides more information a patient, AK, and based on his answersfrom the questionnaire, is about Chronic Kidney Disease. Havingdiagnosed with CDK means the patient is experiencing a progressiveloss of the functioning of his kidney(s). Some of the symptoms as ispartly shown in the questionnaire include blood pressure, Ureaaccumulation, and blood in urine, among others. The paper alsostudied the patient`s coping skills and possible support. Some of thecoping skills include keeping fit, exercising, reading widely aboutthe condition, and being closed to other patients with the sameillness. Support and treatment mostly come from the relevant medicalpractitioners to provide relevant material and the right medicationfor CDK.
References
El, N. A. M., & Levin, A. (2009). Chronic kidney disease: Apractical guide to understanding and management. Oxford: OxfordUniversity Press.