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Recognizing the growing demand for hemodialysis treatment among patients in the community, New York Methodist Hospital (NYM) has expanded its inpatient dialysis unit. The Hospital recently purchased new, state-of the art dialysis machines with help from a federal grant that was supported by Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. In addition to the purchase, the Hospital also increased the size of the unit to accommodate more patients. "The expansion is a great thing and we are all very excited, said Kotresha Neelakantappa, MD, chief of nephrology

The high incidence of kidney disease in Brooklyn has led to an increase in demand for dialysis treatments among the boroughs residents. If left untreated, kidney disease can lead to kidney failure, and patients with kidney failure require dialysis treatment to remove poisons and toxins from the blood or a transplant. Uncontrolled diabetes is the primary cause of kidney impairment. But any disease that affects the blood vessels, including high blood pressure or atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), can hinder the kidneys ability to detoxify the blood and regulate fluids in the body.

Signs of kidney impairment include changes in urine and swelling or puffiness, particularly around the eyes, wrists, abdomen, thighs or ankles. However, kidney disease usually has no symptoms until its later stages.

New York Methodist has a partnership with the Rogosin Institute, the premier not-for-profit medical treatment and research institution for kidney disease in New York City. The Institute provides outpatient dialysis treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease.

The expansion has made our inpatient unit more efficient, more sophisticated and better equipped to handle the influx of patients, said Lawrence Stam, M.D., associate chief of nephrology and author of 100 Questions & Answers About Kidney Dialysis, a user friendly guide to kidney disease and dialysis, which was published recently. A lot of work went into this book. It is part of our contribution to patients on dialysis, said Dr. Kotresha.

For more information about dialysis treatment at NYM, call 718-780-5800.