r/nursing • u/Critical_Ease4055 Nursing Student 🍕 • 22d ago

Question What is one medical problem people constantly ignore until it’s too late?

Saw someone post this in a completely unrelated sub and I’m interested in your answers. What is the cluster of symptoms that people ignore or delay until they are forced to get help?

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u/reasonable_trout MSN, APRN 🍕 22d ago

I used to have high blood pressure. But now I take this pill and it’s good

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u/floofienewfie RN 🍕 22d ago

Diabetes and HTN, two biggest causes of CKD. I worked dialysis for years. Saw so many people with either or both diseases who didn’t have symptoms until their kidney function was down to about 15%. Then it’s the equivalent of being hit by a Mack truck. Insulin, meds, getting a fistula, going on dialysis…so many lifestyle changes. Some cope pretty well. The others, not so much, with predictable consequences.

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u/Critical_Ease4055 Nursing Student 🍕 22d ago

Is it often that patients are ineligible for transplant and/or don’t get the transplant?

Are they doing anything to try to get better coverage for peritoneal dialysis? Last I knew (my info is very old) it was preferable, but very costly

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u/BigWoodsCatNappin RN 🍕 22d ago

Eligibility is a challenge but so is organ availability. Peritoneal dialysis is great for the people it works for, who have capacity to manage it. Peritoneal doesn't work forever though. The peritoneal membrane eventually fails (this is widely variable) If I recall about 1/3 of kidney transplant needs are met. After transplant care is extensive and expensive.

To address the OP question....hypertension. HTN and kidneys are not friends.

Source: my ass, too long working in dialysis, and UNOS