A person with stage 5 end-stage CKD, is also known as an end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 15 ml/min or less. It is an advanced stage of chronic kidney disease, At this stage, kidneys have lost almost all its ability to do their job effectively, and eventually, dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed for the survival.

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Symptoms of stage 5 End Stage CKD

Symptoms that can occur in stage 5 CKD include:

• Loss of appetite

• Vomiting or nausea

• Headaches

• Tiredness

• Being unable to concentrate

• Itching

• Making little or no urine

• Swelling, near the eyes, and ankles

• Muscle cramps

• Tingling in hands or feet

• Changes in skin color

• Increased skin pigmentation

At this stage, your kidney is not able to work anymore or remove excess fluids and waste from the body. Then all the toxins and waste build up in the blood it leads to an overall feeling of sickness. A healthy kidney performs many other functions too that they are no longer able to perform like regulating blood pressure, productions of the hormone that makes RBCs (red blood cells) and activating vitamin D for healthy bones.

Treatment for Stage 5 CKD

If you are diagnosed with stage 5 CKD or end-stage chronic kidney disease, you need to consult the nephrologist immediately. A nephrologist is a specialist doctor in kidney disease, kidney dialysis, and kidney transplant.

The doctor will help you know the best treatment for you either it is hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis (PD) or a kidney transplant. Then you need an overall care plan and manage your condition.

Dialysis treatments for people with stage 5 end-stage CKD

Most of the people felt much better after the dialysis begin. As the toxins are removed from the blood, and this process replaces the functions of the kidneys which they are not able to perform on their own. Two types of dialysis treatments are available for people with stage 5 end-stage CKD.

Hemodialysis

It is a type of dialysis, that is performed for the CKD treatment and can be done in a center as well as in a patient’s home with assistance from a doctor. A dialysis machine removes a small amount of a patient’s blood through the machine called a dialyzer, or artificial kidney, to clean out toxins that the kidneys are not able to remove longer. After filtration blood is returned back to the body.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)

Unlike hemodialysis, Peritoneal dialysis is a needle-free treatment and a care partner is not required to help assist during treatment. It can be performed at home or at work.

Kidney transplant for stage 5 end-stage CKD

A kidney transplant is another option for this stage of kidney problems. If you want to have a kidney transplant, ask your nephrologist. He is the right person who can explain the process of how to get it done.

When you are at stage 5 end-stage CKD, either you have to go for dialysis or a kidney transplant for survival.

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A healthy diet for stage 5 end-stage CKD

Following a healthy diet for kidney patients is very important because it is a severe stage and even the small mistake can make the condition worse.

• Include grains, fruits, and vegetables in your diet, but limit or avoid the intake of whole grains and some fruits and vegetables that are high in phosphorus or potassium.

• Consume the diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in fats as well. You should take care of these, especially if you have high cholesterol, diabetes or heart disease.

• Limit the intake of processed and refined foods as they are high in sodium. Prepare your foods with less salt.

• Aim for a healthy weight by consuming necessary calories and physical activity.

• Decrease the calcium intake.

• Limit the intake of fluid.

• Losses in the dialysis treatment.

Conclusion

As the name suggests stage 5 end-stage CKD is the last stage of chronic kidney disease. So that one has to be very cautious at this stage in every aspect including diet, lifestyle, and treatment. Discuss your doctor before doing any changes.

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