BY ARTI DAS | NT NETWORK
Retired banker, Mr M Bhaskar Bhat may look like any other retired senior citizen who spends most of his time with his family playing with his grandchildren and sometimes making time for social gatherings.
However, there is one thing that makes him stand apart, and that is his zest for life under trying physical conditions. Bhat suffers from Chronic Renal Failure (CRF), a fact he has taken in his stride with the belief that where there is a will there is a way.
There has been a surge in the number of cases related to kidney ailments, which is a cause for worry among medicos. Prof of Nephrology, Goa Medical College, Bambolim, Dr J P Tiwari informs that the prime cause of kidney problems is diabetes, hypertension and a negligent lifestyle. "This is not something seen only in Goa. It is the same the world over. Lifestyle too is a cause of concern."
In Goa, the Canacona taluka has the highest number of kidney patients and the Canacona Health Centre has seven dialysis machines to handle patient requirement. There have been enough studies conducted by various agencies but there is no clear reason. Some experts believe it could be genetic or hereditary but only long term analysis will reveal the exact reason.
At the GMC, there are more than 40-50 patients benefiting from dialysis which makes it around 500 dialysis treatments per month on three machines, which is free of cost.
A person can suffer from CRF due to various reasons ranging from diabetes to indiscriminate use of painkillers to genetic causes.
"I suffered from renal failure due to diabetes and my leg had to be amputated. I live a normal life with an artificial foot," says Mr Bhat who climbs three floors to his flat everyday.
Anne Rodrigues from Margao suffered from CRF due the painkillers she used to pop to battle the headaches she suffered from. "I used to suffer from unbearable headaches. Doctors could not find the cause for the headaches and eventually I lost my kidneys. Doctors said it was due to hypertension and painkillers," states Anne, a 53-year-old homemaker.
Today both live normal lives thanks to Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) or home dialysis.
Bhat is one of the few patients in Goa on PD for the last three years. Detected with renal failure four-years-ago, he opted for haemodialysis in the first year, a treatment that requires hospitalisation three times a week. He then chose PD, which he feels is better as it is done at home itself – three times a day, by the patient, in a relaxed environment.
If you looked at the 60-plus gentleman you would never guess that it is a disciplined and rigorous healthcare coupled with a very positive attitude that keeps him going.
PD may sound alien to many of us but it is now emerging as a safe and most natural form of treatment for CRF patients. Says consultant nephrologists, Apollo Victor Hospital, Margao, Vrundavan Hospital, Mapusa and honorary consultant, GMC, Dr Sheetal Lengade: "Peritoneal Dialysis is for those patients whose kidneys are functioning less than 10 per cent. The main difference between PD and haemodialysis (which is conducted in hospitals) is that in the former purification of blood takes place within the body whereas in the latter the blood is passed through an external blood purifier. There is a natural membrane in our body that purifies our blood. Thus, PD is the most natural form of treatment. This treatment could be taken by a patient for even 10 years and in some cases even for 15 years."
Bhat is not complaining, PD has given him his life back. "We need to face every situation squarely. Life has to be taken with a pinch of salt. I live without kidneys, but I don’t think about it. I keep myself busy watching TV and playing with my grandchildren. One needs to be happy under any condition," concludes Bhat.
A word of caution, since this treatment is done at home and that too within the body, one needs to be careful about infections. "PD should be done in a clean room where no pets are allowed. Basic hygiene should be maintained and adequate hand washing is required," adds Dr Sheetal.
Before PD the haemodialysis treatment was commonly followed by renal failure patients. It is a treatment taken in hospitals under medical guidance. Ms Sheetal Samant, from Ponda has been on haemodialysis for seven years. "My mother suffered from CRF due to Polycystic Kidney Disease, a cystic genetic disorder characterised by the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys that leads to failure. She is now 62-year-old and lives quite a normal life. But, sometimes she can’t walk a distance; even her food and water intake is restricted. She can drink only a litre of water in a day, but despite all these odds, she leads a near normal life thanks to her positive attitude," says her son, Ashish Samant, president of the Goa Kidney (Renal) Support Association. She takes her treatment three times a week, the cost of one session being Rs 1450.
