{"id":66,"date":"2014-01-11T15:39:48","date_gmt":"2014-01-11T15:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theiyaproject.org\/blog\/?p=66"},"modified":"2020-02-08T15:25:11","modified_gmt":"2020-02-08T20:25:11","slug":"psychological-disorder-and-emotional-distress-in-post-renal-transplant-patients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theiyafoundation.org\/2014\/01\/11\/psychological-disorder-and-emotional-distress-in-post-renal-transplant-patients\/","title":{"rendered":"RenalNews: Psychological Disorder and Emotional Distress in Post Renal Transplant Patients"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chronic renal failure is the final phase of kidney disease where an individual has completely lost functioning of his\/her kidneys. Unlike acute renal failure where the individual losses functioning of his\/her kidneys suddenly as a result of an illness, injury, or toxin that stresses the kidneys; chronic renal failure is the culmination of a progressive disease process that overtime, results in the loss of functioning of the kidneys. Acute renal failure usually can be treated and reversed, but chronic renal failure usually cannot be treated or reversed. An individual suffering from chronic renal failure will never regain his\/her kidney functioning and will never be cured. In the absence of a renal replacement therapy such as dialysis or renal transplant, death will occur within a short period of time.
\nThe two primary modalities for renal replacement therapy are dialysis and renal transplantation, both designed to remove excess water and metabolic wastes.
\nDialysis cleanses the body by removing waste products and extra fluids either through the blood or through the peritoneal membrane in the abdominal cavity. When performed through the blood, it is called hemodialysis; requiring that the patient be connected to a dialysis machine, three times a week for approximately three to four hours each time. This involves diffusion of solutes and blood flow across a semi permeable membrane to achieve ultra filtration of the bodily fluids. When done through the peritoneal membrane, it is called peritoneal dialysis and the patient is again connected to a dialysis machine where fluid is diffused through a permanent tube in the abdomen, and filtered out every night, or through regular exchanges throughout the day. Both of these treatment modalities sustain life, but the patient\u2019s quality of life is not comparable to being healthy. As earlier noted, renal transplantation is another renal replacement therapy that helps remove waste products and excess water from the individual\u2019s body. It involves the transfer of a kidney from either a living donor or a cadaver donor into the recipient\u2019s body. Although these therapies sustain the individual, studies show that most patients perceive their quality of life to be better with a renal transplant than when on maintenance dialysis.
\nLife after dialysis however varies from individual to individual, with a complex combination of positives and negatives, based on the individual\u2019s health history, education level, and socio-economic status. The bottom line is that, all the benefits of a renal transplant come with related costs, both on the recipient and their primary groups of contact (family, co-workers etc).
\nKidney transplant has been proven to enhance the quality of life of the patient, increase the patient\u2019s independence, and normalize their medical parameter; hence offering a significant survival advantage and improved quality of life. This improved quality of life is indicated by an improved sexual functioning, increase in appetite, physical endurance; a better sleep cycle, and ultimately the absence of Uremia<\/a>. At the same time, it also requires special psychological adjustment, as kidney transplant recipients have shown to develop emotional distress and psychological disorders associated with a compromised quality of life; usually as a result of uncertainty about future health and finances, as well as side effects of medicines.
\nDespite its prevalence in transplant recipients, only a few papers are available which analyze the presence and significance of emotional distress and psychological disorders in kidney transplant patients.
\nAs reported; the following are some of the psychological effects experienced post renal transplant:
\nIrritability<\/strong>: right after transplant, most patients are required to take high doses of steroids such as prednisone, which easily causes steroid rage in some patients and for the most part some form of irritability. In the later stages when patients are on maintenance doses, the steroid rage subsides and most patients reported being really emotional and sentimental. One patient reported getting so emotional a simple commercial could bring them to tears.
\nDepression: <\/strong>depression in post renal transplant recipients stems as a result of the following:<\/p>\n