Abstract
For the prevention of complications in dialysis patients, what counts is self-reliance efforts. Patients with hyperphosphatemia are prone to arteriosclerosis and pathologic fracture as well. Therefore, controlling serum phosphorus levels is supposed to be a key to longevity. After all said and done, it is extremely difficult for the patients to maintain the target levels of serum phosphorus by self-management alone, because phosphorus concentrations in serum are subject to dietary habits. Furthermore, the patients need to restrict the intake of phosphorus, since the chemical is excreted only in feces and urine, or gotten rid of by dialysis. In this study, we had the patients tell what they eat, examined the contents and advised them on the proper amounts and types of foods. Considering that the cooperation from their family is essential, we held a food-sampling event. In addition to the dietary guidance, lectures were delivered to them about complications and medication. Our efforts led to an increase in the number of patients who succeeded in maintaining the normal levels of serum phosphorus.
