"I have a terribly large lump on the side of my foot. It hurts and I do not know where it came from. Should I be worried, and what should I do?," a KidneyBuzz.com viewer asked.
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Firstly, Chronic Kidney Disease patients, especially those on Dialysis, should know that kidney dysfunction causes imbalances in their bone metabolism (lifelong process where mature bone tissue is removed from the skeleton and new bone tissue is formed). These imbalances may cause calcium to deposit throughout the body including in tissues beneath the skin and in the blood vessels which contributes to Heart Disease.
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As many with Chronic Kidney Disease may know, Heart Disease is the number one cause of death in Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients. Although death is the most drastic outcome of calcium buildup in the body, there are other serious side effects that can greatly decrease Chronic Kidney Disease patients' quality of life which they must guard against.
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For instance, Calcification of the arteries due to calcium buildup in a Chronic Kidney Disease patient's body due to “circulatory system disorders” has been linked to increased amputations. In fact, the incidence of "non-traumatic (not caused by physical injury or wound due to an external force) lower-extremity amputation among the United States End Stage Renal Disease population is approximately 10 times higher than that among the non-End Stage Renal Disease patients," even when accounting for those with Diabetes according to the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
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While it was found to be less common among transplant recipients than Dialysis patients, amputations are the most common vascular complication after Kidney Transplantation, occurring in 13% to 25% of Kidney Transplant Recipients within 5 years after transplantation, noted the American Society of Nephrology. What's more, Calcification can form on Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients' teeth as plaque. If left untreated it can harden, cause a thick white or yellow buildup, and lead to Tooth Decay and Gum Disease.
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You may ask, "How exactly can I protect myself against Calcification?" Well, calcium intake for Chronic Kidney Disease patients should not be greater than 2,000 mg daily, according to the National Kidney Foundation. If a patient's calcium levels are on the high end or exceed the recommended levels then they should work with their Healthcare Teams to limit high calcium foods, calcium supplements and calcium-based phosphorus binders or even change certain calcium based binders to help control calcium levels and avoid negative side effects.
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While, your Physicians will monitor your calcium levels, if you are experiencing similar deposit symptoms as the patient stated above or if you notice a drastic increase in your calcium levels, bring it to the attention of your Nephrologists immediately. Nephrologists may adjust binders, medicines, supplements and Dialysis Treatments as necessary. In extreme cases, surgery may be required to remove part of the Parathyroid Glands in order to prevent complications.
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Remember, Friends, you are not your Nephrologists' only patients, they likely work with several at any given time. Hence, it is in your best interest to closely monitor your Lab Results and listen to your body so that you can bring anything that is out of the ordinary to your Nephrologists' attention before it threatens the quality of your lives.
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For more Daily News and Information on how Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes (leading cause of Kidney Failure) patients can better manage and improve their lives, visit KidneyBuzz.com every day. Also, Like KidneyBuzz.com on Facebook (click here) and Follow us on Twitter (click here) so you do not miss a thing! For Daily Meals, and other updates to be sent directly to your email every day, complete the below form.
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References:
"New Blood Test Detects Potentially Deadly Calcium Deposits." Http://www.eurekalert.org. EurekAlert!
Calcium and Chronic Kidney Disease." Http://www.davita.com. DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.
"Cognitive Disorders and Dementia in CKD: The Neglected Kidney-Brain Axis." Http://jasn.asnjournals.org/. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
"How to Get Rid of Calcification on Your Teeth." Http://www.livestrong.com. LIVESTRONG.COM.
"Arterial Calcification in Chronic Kidney Disease: Key Roles for Calcium and Phosphate." Http://circres.ahajournals.org/. American Heart Association.