Introduction Kidney disease is a serious, long-term medical condition that touches the lives of many New Zealanders, but to the average person it is a confusing and complex subject. It can be seriously frightening for a person to learn from their doctor that their kidneys have stopped working properly, and that they may soon need dialysis treatment and perhaps a kidney transplant. It takes time for the news to sink in – and once it has, the first request a patient makes is usually for more information. There is such a lot to learn. It takes months – and sometimes years – to come to terms with kidney disease and its effects on individuals and families. These days there are many sources of health information. The internet provides a lot of advice, some of which is useful and some of which is not. Other information may come from magazines, newspaper articles or conversations with friends. It can be hard to sort out the facts from the folklore. Living with Kidney Disease provides a source of authoritative, accurate information for New Zealand kidney disease patients and their families. This edition of the handbook takes into account recent advances in the diagnosis and management of chronic kidney disease. If you or a member of your family are coming to terms with chronic kidney disease, then this handbook is for you. We hope that it will answer many of your questions, and will help you to continue to enjoy a full and happy life. One of the most important members of your health care team is you. The other members of the team rely on you to raise the questions and explore the health issues that are particularly important to you. As you read this handbook, it might be a good idea to make a note of any questions you would like to ask your team.
Introduction Kidney disease is a serious, long-term medical condition that touches the lives of many New Zealanders, but to the average person it is a confusing and complex subject. It can be seriously frightening for a person to learn from their doctor that their kidneys have stopped working properly, and that they may soon need dialysis treatment and perhaps a kidney transplant. It takes time for the news to sink in – and once it has, the first request a patient makes is usually for more information. There is such a lot to learn. It takes months – and sometimes years – to come to terms with kidney disease and its effects on individuals and families. These days there are many sources of health information. The internet provides a lot of advice, some of which is useful and some of which is not. Other information may come from magazines, newspaper articles or conversations with friends. It can be hard to sort out the facts from the folklore. Living with Kidney Disease provides a source of authoritative, accurate information for New Zealand kidney disease patients and their families. This edition of the handbook takes into account recent advances in the diagnosis and management of chronic kidney disease. If you or a member of your family are coming to terms with chronic kidney disease, then this handbook is for you. We hope that it will answer many of your questions, and will help you to continue to enjoy a full and happy life. One of the most important members of your health care team is you. The other members of the team rely on you to raise the questions and explore the health issues that are particularly important to you. As you read this handbook, it might be a good idea to make a note of any questions you would like to ask your team.