Understanding High Phosphorus

Treatment Options

and

Your

Important Information

Just For You

Sound it out:

hi-per-fos-fa-team-e-ah

A Guide To Understanding

Hyperphosphatemia
Hyperphosphatemia means high phosphorus. You, or someone you know, has been diagnosed with high phosphorus, and this brochure is designed to help you learn about how to treat this condition.

In this brochure, you will nd out about:

4-5

How your kidneys work High phosphorus and how it affects you

6-7

8-9 Treating your high phosphorus 10-11 Fold-out

Healthy eating, and a tasty recipe Additional resources and glossary

Words inboldface are dened in the glossary.

Blood with waste

Clean blood

Waste

Your kidneys clean (lter) your blood removing waste products and extra water

Your bodys cleaning system

KIDNEYS:
Your kidneys are cleaning centers for your blood. They remove waste products and extra water that would otherwise build up. Much of this waste comes from the food you eat. Your kidneys control how much phosphorus (foss-for-us) stays in your body. Among other things, kidneys help control your blood pre s s u re, strengthen your bones, and maintain your general health.

CAUTION
When kidneys fail to clean your blood properly, waste products build up, and your health may suffer. You may then need to change your diet, or begin a treatment routine such as dialysis or medication.

Good

Phosphorus

and bad
Phosphorus in proper amounts is important for the growth and maintenance of your body tissues and bones. Phosphorus is released from food into the stomach during digestion, and is then absorbed into the blood stream. Phosphorus is commonly found in foods such as dairy, red meat, sh, poultry, eggs, and nuts. Important substances for your overall h e a l th such as p rotein, calcium and vitamin D are found in foods that contain phosphorus.

E f f e c t s

o f

High Phosphorus
You may not experience any symptoms from high phosphorus, but serious problems may be occurring. Here are some of the complications you may experience.

Daily irritations
The following may become daily irritations:

itchy skin red eyes bone pain joint pain

Serious problems
More serious problems may develop, such as:

bone disease heart disease buildup of mineral deposits in your kidneys, heart, blood vessels, lungs, eyes, joints, and skin
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Treating
High Phosphorus
There are several ways to treat high phosphorus.
Phosphorus

DIET: Your healthcare provider will recommend a diet low in phosphorus. Certain foods may be substituted for others, but you can still enjoy what you eat. DIALYSIS: Dialysis does some of the cleaning normally done by healthy kidneys and may take place in your home or a medical setting. MEDICATIONS: Your healthcare provider may also prescribe any of several phosphate (foss-fate) binder options.
Phosphate binders attach to phosphorus and are removed through the bowels.

How phosphatebinders work

Like magnets, phosphate binders bind to phosphorus as it Phosphate travels through the stomach binder and digestive system, before it can be absorbed into the blood stream. Then, the bound phosphoru is removed through the bowels. s Some phosphate binders may be tablets or pills that are swallowed, while others a re chewed. Some require taking more tablets or pills than others. Speak to your healthcare provider about what choice is best for you.

Your healthcare provider will tell you: How many tablets to take each day When to take your medication What to expect from treatment These medications work best when taken during or right after a meal. This may help lower the risk of side e ffects such as nausea.

Eat healthy,

Eat well!
These are foods you can include in your low phosphorus diet:

Non-dairy creamer, sorbet, sugar cookies, beef (and other red meats), and white bread

Some foods with phosphorus create m o re problems than others, such as:

Dairy (milk, cheese, ice cream), chocolate, dark cola, and whole wheat bread But your new diet doesnt have to be boring. Here are some tips to help you enjoy the foods you love: Fill omelets with vegetables Top pasta with garlic and butter, not meat sauce Eat chicken or sh instead of pork

Ask your dietitian for more ideas!

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Lets get cooking!

Aunt Bettys Blueberry Pancakes
112 cups sifted plain all-purpose our 2 teaspoons baking powder 3 tablespoons sugar 1 cup buttermilk 2 tablespoons no-salt margarine, melted 2 eggs, slightly beaten 1 cup canned or frozen blueberries, rinsed Sift our, baking powder, and sugar into a mixing bowl and stir. Add remaining ingredients and stir until smooth. Begin cooking immediately. Heat a heavy skillet and grease lightly using a non-stick cooking spray. Spoon out pancakes and cook until done, ipping once. Top with fresh fruit or warmed jam and enjoy!

Adapted from: Kidney Friendly Comfort Foods. August 2005.

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Know More!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Several educational resources are listed below, but remember: your healthcare provider is always the rst person you should seek out with questions about your condition. American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) 3505 E. Frontage Road, Suite 315 Tampa, FL 33607 (800) 749-2257 www.aakp.org American Kidney Fund (AKF) 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010 Rockville, MD 20852 (800) 638-8299 www.kidneyfund.org National Kidney Foundation (NKF) 30 East 33rd Street New York, NY 10016 (800) 622-9010 www.kidney.org National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) 3 Information Way Bethesda, MD 20892-3580 (800) 891-5390 www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov

Glossary
H e re you will nd denitions of the bolded t e rm in the text. s

Calcium
A mineral that gives strength to bones and teeth and has an important role in muscle function, blood clotting, and nerve function

Hyperphosphatemia
A condition that results when the levels of phosphorus in the blood get too high, which can happen when the kidneys are unable to lter the blood properly

Mineral deposits
Buildup of minerals such as calcium and phosphoru in the tissues or bloodstream s

Phosphorus
An essential mineral that is found in foods and used in all body tissue and bones

Protein
An essential substance for the growth and repair of body tissue

Vitamin D
A substance in the body that works closely with calcium; also supplied by foods and supplements

Stick with plan your treatment

Medications can be difcult to take, but you should take any and all medications exactly as instructed by your healthcare provider. Following the treatment plan can make a big diff e rence in controlling your phosphorus and overall health so stick with it! And if you have any questions, ask your healthcare provider. He or she will be happy to help you.

This brochure was funded by an educational grant fro m

American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) 3505 E. Frontage Road, Suite 315 Tampa, FL 33607 (800) 749-2257 www.aakp.org

2006 Shire US Inc., Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087

FOS1008

08/06