Understanding your Kidneys

When do you know you need a transplant?

The symptoms of kidney failure vary widely by cause of the kidney failure, severity of the condition, and the other body systems that are affected.Most people have no symptoms at all in the early stages of the disease, because the kidneys are able to compensate so well for the early impairments in their function. Others have symptoms that are mild, subtle, or vague. Generally, obvious symptoms appear only when the condition has become severe or even critical.

Kidney failure is not painful, even when severe, although there may be pain from damage to other systems.Some types of kidney failure cause fluid retention. However, severe dehydration (fluid deficiency) can also cause kidney failure.
Fluid retention – Puffiness, swelling of arms and legs, shortness of breath (due to fluid collection in the lungs, called pulmonary edema) Dehydration – Thirst, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), dry mucous membranes (such as inside the mouth and nose), feeling weak or lethargic

Other common symptoms of kidney failure and end-stage renal disease include the following:

Urinating less than usual
Urinary problems – Frequency, urgency
Bleeding – Due to impaired clotting, from any site
Easy bruising
Fatigue & Confusion
Nausea, vomiting
Loss of appétit
Pain – In the muscles, joints, flanks, chest
Bone pain or fractures
Pale skin (from anaemia

http://fortishospitalsblog.in/2012/05/

Media Coverage on Fortis Spine Care, Launch at Kolkata, Anandapur

CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN

Chronic pelvic pain is defined as pain the abdomen / pelvis below the level of the belly button (umbilicus) that has been present for 6 months or more.It may or may not be associated with menses or periods. It is not a disease but a symptom that can be caused several different conditions.

CAUSES OF PELVIC PAIN
Some of the causes of chronic pelvic pain are

• Gynaecology
• Endometriosis
• Adenomyosis Adenomyosis(Endometriosis in the muscle of the womb)(scarring)
• Pelvic Infection Diverticulitis Pelvic floor pain
• Fibroids

DIAGNOSING PELVIC PAIN

• Detailed history
• Clinical examination
• Blood tests
• Urine test
• Pelvic Ultrasound
• Laparoscopy (key hole camera procedure through the belly button)
• Others: CT scan, MRI scan

MANAGING PELVIC PAIN

• Pain killer tablets (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, etc)
• Hormonal manipulation (Endometriosis / fibroids)
• Surgical treatment of endometriosis / fibroids / adhesions or scarring
• Relaxation techniques / hypnosis
• Psychosocial support and counselling (Individual therapy / group therapy / patient support groups)

Fortis Hospitals cures a 71 year old patient of kidney tumor through ‘Radiofrequency Ablation’ technique

-       a novel micro invasive treatment that melts kidney cancers

Kolkata, 10th January, 2012 – A team of doctors at Fortis Hospitals cured a 71 year old patient suffering from kidney tumor through a novel technique called ‘Radiofrequency Ablation’. Mr. Arun Kanti Roy first reported to Dr. Gopalakrishna, Consultant Urologist, Fortis Hospitals Kolkata with severe abdominal pain.A CT scan revealed a 3 cm tumor in the middle of the patient’s left kidney. The standard treatment for these tumors is either removal of the whole kidney or removing part of the kidney. However, Mr. Roy was apprised of a new method called ‘Radiofrequency Ablation’ (RFA) wherein a special electrode is inserted in the skin through a pinhole and the tumor is then heated till the tumor cells are killed.

Opting for RFA, the patient came to Dr Shuvro Roy Choudhury, Consultant Interventional Radiologist,FortisHospitals. To make a definite histological diagnosis, Dr Shuvro Roy Choudhury performed two biopsy cores (examination of cells and tissues) from the tumor prior to starting the ablation. The procedure of RFA was performed under a short general anesthetic lasting around 35 minutes. Under CT guidance a thin electrode was inserted into the centre of the tumor and the treatment was continued according to a set algorithm for 12 minutes. A second ablation zone was also performed to ensure that there was enough margin around the tumor to prevent any recurrence.

Dr Shuvro Roy Choudhury (Consultant Interventional Radiologist Fortis Hospitals) says, “Mr. Roy’s case was a complex one since his colon was very close to the tumor, raising the possibility of inadvertent heat injury to the colon. This was prevented by placing a needle between the kidney tumor and the colon and inserting a layer of dextrose saline to form a buffer between the heated tumor and the colon. This procedure is known as Hydrodissection and was done for the first time in India. On a post-operative round the patient was sitting up after two hours. He had normal dinner and was ready for discharge the following morning.”

Subsequent to this, after 1 month the patient had a follow up CT and a subsequent MRI performed at one and four months confirmed that no residual tumor is left in the kidney. The patient was delighted with the outcome and is completely fit now. Dr Shuvro Roy Choudhury says, “Tumors can nowadays be successfully treated using pinhole surgery with minimum side effects and without scars. These ‘new age’ treatments save the whole organ from being taken out of the body. Hence interventional or pinhole surgeries are the treatments of future. As there is lack of recognition the awareness has to be spread.”

Dr. R K Gopalakrishna (Consultant Urologist Fortis Hospitals) says, “Radiofrequency Ablation is a relatively new method of treating kidney cancers which restores the renal function to its best. It solves the problem without damaging the kidney and least disturbances in the body system. Usually patients make a very rapid recovery and are sent home the following day after surgery. There are no scars and only a Band-Aid is sufficient to cover the operation site.

Ms. Richa S. Debgupta (Facility Director Fortis Hospitals) says “There is a lack of recognition or awareness for minimally invasive techniques like RFA. Hence it is not usually done in our country especially in the eastern part. Interventional radiology or pinhole surgery can deal with a number of problems throughout the body. These include tumors, fibroids, varicose veins of the leg, blocked arteries are or veins, to name only a few. An advanced laboratory to perform these procedures has been set up at Fortis Hospitals in Kolkata.”

Mr Roy Says, “After I got back to my senses I could not believe that the surgery was already over. I asked my doctor when will he operate on me and he said its already over while I could feel no pain or discomfort. I just hope proper awareness is spread about this treatment so that more people are saved from painful surgeries.”

Fortis Hospitals, Mulund Awarded Best Ortho Hospital in India -

In a survery of 4000 hospitals and healthcare providers , Fortis Hospitals, Mumbai at Mulund was chosen by Doctors, consumers and a panle of distinguished juries, as best specialty Orthopaedic Hospital at the ICICI Lombard and CNBC Tv 18 Healthcare Awards