The Nephrology (Kidney) Clinic

Recent statistical data shows that the prevalence of kidney disease among Thais is of mounting concern, as is the potential shortage of resources in the form of both medical personnel and advanced facilities to treat it. The Bangkok Hospital Pattaya Kidney Clinic has been recognized since its establishment for its excellence in treating a broad range of kidney problems, utilizing the latest diagnostic testing technology and an array of dialysis options.

The extensive team of specialized medical professionals at the clinic, including nephrologists and trained dialysis nurses, works in concert to create, implement and manage successful state-of-the-art dialysis programs, and strives round the clock to help patients and their families adjust to the changes kidney problems can bring.

The kidneys consist of two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist, located near the middle of the back just beneath the rib cage. Kidneys are among the most important organs in the human body, functioning as a filtering system and removing waste and fluids from the body in the form of urine.

They also perform other vital jobs like regulating the body’s water, blood pH, and other minerals in the blood such as sodium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium; removing drugs and toxins introduced into the body; and releasing hormones into the blood to help the body regulate blood pressure, make red blood cells, and develop strong bones.

Diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), certain classes of medications and chemicals, and genetic diseases can compromise kidney function as can kidney stones, chronic kidney infections and urinary tract infections.

Bangkok Hospital Pattaya’s Kidney Clinic provides:

• On-call nephrologists who can always be reached whenever a patient is in need.
• A modern artificial kidney unit (hemodialyzer) and private room for complication-free dialysis.
• Well-trained attending dialysis technicians who stand by you as long as you are in our care.

Signs of kidney disease to watch out for include:

• Changes in urine or the urinary tract such as dysuria (a burning or pain with urination) and hematuria (the presence of red blood cells in the urine).
• Fever with severe paroxysmal low back pain.
• Pale skin (anemia), weakness and fatigue.
• Nocturia (frequent urination at nighttime).
• Failing kidneys while undergoing dialysis.
• Kidney transplants.

The clinic’s wide-ranging services include:

• Hemodialysis. Our world-class dialysis unit provides patients with advanced hemodialysis, a process that removes waste products and excess fluids from the patient’s blood through a vein by circulating the blood through a machine that filters the waste products, after which the ‘cleaned’ blood is returned to the body. Our water treatment system for dialysis meets the standards established in the United States and utilizes state-of-the-art reverse osmosis to obtain the pure water necessary for treatment.
• Peritoneal Dialysis Program. This procedure introduces dialysate into the abdominal cavity to remove waste products through the peritoneum (a membrane that surrounds the intestines and other organs in the abdominal cavity). Patients in need of peritoneal dialysis at home will be trained until they are confident about performing the procedure by themselves.
• Individualized Dialysis Programs. Critically ill patients residing in the intensive care (ICU) or coronary care units (CCU) may receive such intervention as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or continuous renal replacement therapy, as directed by our specialists.
• Plasmapheresis. Plasmapheresis is the process by which the fluid part of the blood, called plasma, is separated from blood cells by a device known as a cell separator. The cells are then returned to the patient undergoing treatment, while the plasma is either treated or replaced with other fluids. This is used with patients suffering from certain types of blood or autoimmune diseases.
• Hemoperfusion. With hemoperfusion, the patient’s blood is passed over an absorbent surface that removes certain types of chemicals and toxins. The procedure is useful for patients suffering from anclass=”hilight” overdose of medication or chemical poisoning.

(Please see the enclosed packages for details of our services.)

Other facilities for detection of kidney-related disorders include ultrasonography and a clinical chemistry laboratory for the diagnostic testing of both blood and urine analysis.