Approximately 68 thousand patients in Türkiye are receiving dialysis treatment due to end-stage renal failure. Daviva Healthcare Medical Director Prof. Dr. Zerrin Bicik Bahçebaşı states that nutritional habits and socioeconomic level are effective in this increase.
Stating that diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of kidney disease worldwide, Daviva Healthcare Medical Director Prof. Dr. Zerrin Bicik Bahçebaşı said that both health problems are closely related to nutrition and lifestyle habits.
Global warming negatively affects kidneys
Prof. Dr. Zerrin Bicik Bahçebaşı, in her statement on the occasion of “World Kidney Day”, said, “In addition to diabetes and hypertension, especially in societies with low socioeconomic status, the lack of adequate hygiene conditions and difficulties in accessing treatment increase infection-related kidney diseases. Studies show that difficulties in accessing clean water resources, parallel to global warming, the effects of which we have felt more strongly lately, also contribute to this increase.”
Changes in daily life make a big difference
Daviva Healthcare Medical Director Prof. Dr. Zerrin Bicik Bahçebaşı, who stated that “Balanced nutrition, reducing salt consumption and physical activity that we will integrate into our daily lives in order to control diabetes and hypertension, provide the opportunity to control the two most common causes of kidney disease,” conveyed that fluid consumption is extremely important to protect against kidney disease and that the daily consumption amount should be determined according to the person’s age, gender and lifestyle.
Prof. Dr. Zerrin Bicik Bahçebaşı emphasized that patients who have reached the stage of kidney failure have two basic options: dialysis and kidney transplantation, and said, “Kidney transplantation is the best known treatment option when the right choice is made for patients who are living organ donors.”
The patient, doctor and head nurse relationship is very important for efficient dialysis treatment.
Pointing out that dialysis treatment can be applied in two ways, at home or in a dialysis center, Daviva Healthcare Medical Director Prof. Dr. Zerrin Bicik Bahçebaşı touched on the following important points regarding dialysis:
“Home dialysis is a treatment model that is longer lasting and provides more patient comfort compared to in-center applications. There are studies reporting similar or equivalent health outcomes to cadaver-sourced kidney transplants. In order for dialysis treatment to be sufficient and efficient, it is very important for the doctor and dialysis nurse to comply with the diet program and medication treatment specifically planned for the individual. Similarly, the patient’s quality of life is very closely related to their compliance with the treatment plan. Regular walking and exercises that increase muscle flexibility and strength are elements that prevent muscle and bone problems that may develop due to kidney disease.”
Home hemodialysis provides more comfort
Prof. Dr. Zerrin Bicik Bahçebaşı stated that kidney disease affects families as well as the individual, and said, “The solidarity among family members; for example, making meals that are in line with the diet plan, travel and work plans that will not disrupt the dialysis program, are very important for the patient's quality of life. In this situation where the whole family is affected, psychological support should not be avoided if necessary. For patients who are involved in active life such as work and school, it may be more appropriate to choose the home dialysis model, as there is freedom to organize treatment hours.”
