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Barberton Dialysis Inc, Unit 31 Jock of the Bushveld Shopping Center. General Road, Barberton (2025)

Q: What is the address?

Unit 31 Jock Of The Bushveld Shopping Center. General Road

03/10/2025

Why Do CKD Patients Need Monthly EPO and Iron Injections?

If you or a loved one is living with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), you may have been told that you need monthly erythropoietin (EPO) injections and iron supplements or infusions. This is a common and essential part of managing CKD-related complications—particularly anemia, which affects a large number of people with moderate to severe kidney disease.

Here’s a clear breakdown to help you understand why these treatments are so important:

The Role of Your Kidneys in Making Blood:
Most people think of kidneys only as organs that filter waste from the body—but they do much more than that. One of their critical functions is to produce a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO).

👉 EPO is responsible for signalling your bone marrow to make red blood cells.
When your kidneys are damaged (as in CKD), they produce less EPO. With lower levels of EPO, your body doesn’t make enough red blood cells, which leads to anemia.
What Is Anemia and Why Does It Matter?

Anemia in CKD is not just about having “low iron.” It means your blood can’t carry enough oxygen to your organs and tissues. This can make you feel:
Tired all the time
Weak or lightheaded
Out of breath, even with little activity
Pale or cold
Unable to concentrate or focus

Over time, untreated anemia can strain your heart, reduce your quality of life, and increase the risk of complications—especially if you’re also on dialysis.

💉 How Do EPO Injections Help?
To correct this, doctors prescribe EPO-stimulating agents (ESAs)—medications that act like the natural EPO hormone your kidneys can no longer make. These injections help your bone marrow produce more red blood cells, raising your hemoglobin levels and reducing anemia symptoms.
Most CKD patients receive these injections monthly, either through their nephrology clinic or dialysis center.

🧲 Why Is Iron Also Necessary
Even with EPO injections, your body can’t make red blood cells without one essential ingredient: iron.

That’s why your doctor may also recommend iron supplements (IV), especially if your iron levels are low or you’re losing blood through dialysis or other causes.
Iron supports the production of healthy, oxygen-carrying red blood cells and helps the EPO treatment work effectively.

🩺 Regular Monitoring Is Key

Your doctor and dialysis unit will monthly check your:
Hemoglobin (Hb) levels
Iron stores (ferritin, transferrin saturation)
Response to treatment
These tests help make sure your anemia is managed safely and effectively, without pushing your red blood cell count too high, which can also be risky.

💬 Final Thoughts
Anemia is a serious but treatable complication of CKD. If you’ve been prescribed monthly EPO and iron therapy, it's because your healthcare team is working to help you:
✔️ Improve your energy and quality of life
✔️ Protect your heart and organs
✔️ Avoid unnecessary hospitalizations or complications

Never skip your injections or iron treatments without talking to your doctor first, even if you start feeling better. Managing CKD is a team effort and staying informed is a powerful step in taking control of your health.

💙 Stay strong, stay educated, and stay proactive.

26/09/2025

Anaemia: When Your Body Runs Low on Energy.

What is Anemia?
Anaemia happens when your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells (or they don’t work properly). Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen around your body – so without enough, you feel weak, tired, or out of breath.
Did you know that many people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) also struggle with anaemia?

Here’s why: our kidneys don’t just clean our blood – they also produce a special hormone called erythropoietin (EPO). This hormone acts like a signal to your bone marrow, telling it to make red blood cells. These red cells are the ones that carry oxygen to every corner of your body, giving you energy and strength.

When kidneys are damaged, they produce less EPO → which means fewer red blood cells → which leads to anemia.

Symptoms of Anemia in CKD may include:
😴 Constant tiredness and weakness
🫁 Shortness of breath, even after light activity
🤯 Dizziness or feeling faint
🧠 Trouble concentrating
👩 Pale or washed-out skin

The good news? 🙌 Anaemia can be treated and managed! Doctors may use:
💉 EPO injections to replace what kidneys no longer make
💊 Iron supplements to help build red blood cells
🩸 Blood transfusions in severe cases

👉 If you or someone you love has CKD and feels unusually tired, it’s worth asking about anaemia. Early treatment can make a big difference in energy, mood, and overall quality of life.

Our kidneys may be small, but they play a huge role in keeping us strong. Let’s spread awareness and look after them! 💙

24/09/2025

Heritage day !
South Africa is our beautiful rainbow nation !
When we look at our country, we see more than just landscapes and city skylines . We see a nation overflowing with richness, not only in resources, but in our culture, traditions, and diversity.
Each of our 11 languages carries history and pride. Every dance, every song, and every celebration tells a story of who we are and where we come from. From the colourful beadwork of our people, to the warmth of a shared meal, to the wisdom passed down from one generation to the next .Our culture is a living treasure !
We are a nation stitched together with many threads, and it is diversity that makes us strong. 💛❤️💚🖤
Let’s continue to honour our traditions, celebrate our differences, and unite in our love for this country we call home. Because our greatest wealth will always be our people, our heritage, and our culture.
Proudly South African !

22/09/2025

Braai Day is around the corner

For dialysis patients, protein needs are actually higher (since dialysis removes some protein). That means you can enjoy meat, but the choice and portion are important.

✅ Best Dialysis-Friendly Braai Meats
Skinless chicken pieces (marinated in herbs, garlic, lemon, or olive oil – avoid salty spice mixes)
Fish (snoek, hake, or salmon wrapped in foil with lemon & herbs – delicious on the coals)
Lean beef steak (sirloin, rump, or fillet – grilled medium, not overdone)
Lamb chops (trimmed of excess fat) – enjoy in moderation
Pork chops/loin (again, lean cuts are better)

❌ Try to avoid:
Boerewors / sausages / polony (very high in salt & phosphorus additives)
Marinated meats with salty sauces (like soy, BBQ marinades, or braai spice with MSG/salt)
Organ meats (liver, kidney – too high in phosphorus)

⭐ Tips for a Kidney-Friendly Braai
Renal-Friendly Chicken Marinade 🍋🌿Perfect for braai or oven-baked chicken – tasty without the extra salt!

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1 fresh lemon
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried mixed herbs (oregano, thyme, or rosemary)
½ tsp black pepper
Optional: pinch of chili flakes for a kick

Method:
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
Place skinless chicken pieces in a dish or zip bag.
Pour marinade over and coat well.
Cover and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour (or overnight for more flavour).
Braai, grill, or bake until golden and cooked through.

Healthy, flavourful, and kidney-friendly – no extra salt needed!
Stick to about 1 palm-sized portion (100–150g) per meal.

Pair your meat with braaied veggies (like peppers, mushrooms, zucchini) or a kidney-safe salad.

Avoid salty sides (like chips or salty garlic bread).
Use herbs, lemon, garlic, rosemary, chili, olive oil instead of salt-based seasonings.

Renal-Friendly Chicken Marinade 🍋🌿

Perfect for braai or oven-baked chicken – tasty without the extra salt!
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1 fresh lemon
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried mixed herbs (oregano, thyme, or rosemary)
½ tsp black pepper
Optional: pinch of chili flakes for a kick

Method:
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
Place skinless chicken pieces in a dish or zip bag.
Pour marinade over and coat well.
Cover and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour (or overnight for more flavour).
Braai, grill, or bake until golden and cooked through.

Healthy, flavourful, and kidney-friendly – no extra salt needed!

19/09/2025

Kidneys are the Blood Artists You Didn’t Know About!

When we think of the kidneys, we usually imagine them as filters that clean our blood and remove waste. But here’s a cool fact: your kidneys are actually blood artists! 🎨🩸

They produce a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO). This clever little messenger travels to your bone marrow and tells it to make red blood cells. Red blood cells are like delivery vans, carrying oxygen throughout your body to keep your muscles moving and your brain sharp.

Without enough EPO, your body can’t make enough red blood cells. This is why many people living with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) develop anaemia, which makes them feel tired, weak, and short of breath.

So next time you feel full of energy after a good walk, workout, or even a busy day, thank your kidneys for playing a part in making it possible! 💪

Our kidneys may be small (about the size of a fist), but they do BIG work every single day, from balancing minerals, to controlling blood pressure, to creating red blood cells. They really are superheroes hidden inside our bodies.

Let’s show our kidneys some love by looking after them:
✔️ Stay active
✔️ Limit salt
✔️ Drink wisely
✔️ Keep blood pressure & sugar under control

05/09/2025

Today we celebrate Casual Day!
This year’s theme is “Beyond the Label”

It’s a powerful reminder that we are all so much more than the labels the world places on us. Casual Day is about inclusion, unity, and celebrating each person for who they truly are despite being different and having a disability.

Let’s stand together, go beyond the label, and create a world where everyone belongs !

No labels 🏷️ No Limits 💪🏻

Casual Day

04/09/2025

National Kidney Awareness Week (1–5 September 2025)

This week, South Africa shines a spotlight on the importance of kidney health. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects up to 15% of our population – that’s millions of lives at risk. Early detection is key, and getting your kidney function checked could save your life.

Each year, around 20,000 new patients require diagnosis and treatment for kidney-related conditions. Let’s take this week to raise awareness, encourage screenings, and support healthier communities.

✅ Have you checked your kidneys lately?
✅ Early detection = better outcomes.

Together, we can fight CKD and protect our health.

01/09/2025

Are you ready for Casual Day?

🗓️ Friday: 5 September 2025
💙 Theme: Beyond the Labels

This year, we're going all out to support Casual Day by standing in solidarity with persons with disabilities and celebrating inclusion, diversity, and dignity for all. 💛
Put on your Casual Day gear, wear your heart on your sleeve (or your hat 😉), and let's go Beyond the Labels to create a world where everyone is seen, valued, and included.
Get your labels, badges, T-shirts, caps and bucket hats at https://casualday.co.za

29/08/2025

Kidney Fact Friday!!

1. Kidneys filter about 180L of blood every single day! Dialysis steps in to do this when the kidneys can’t.
2. 🕒 Dialysis was first used successfully in 1945—it’s been saving lives for nearly 80 years!
3. 🫧 There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis (blood cleaned with a machine) and peritoneal dialysis (using the lining of your abdomen to filter waste).
4. 🌍 Over 2 million people worldwide rely on dialysis to stay alive.
5. 🧪 The first dialysis machines were called “artificial kidneys.” Early versions were even made from washing machine parts!
6. 🍎 Diet matters a lot on dialysis. Too much potassium (like from bananas or potatoes) can be dangerous, so patients often have to follow special meal plans.
7. ❤️ Dialysis not only removes waste, but also balances fluids and electrolytes—keeping the heart, muscles, and nerves working properly.
8. 🚗 Portable dialysis machines are now being developed, making it easier for patients to travel and live more freely.
9. ⏱️ Hemodialysis sessions usually take about 4 hours, three times a week—that’s over 600 hours a year!
10. 👩‍⚕️ Some patients have been on dialysis for more than 40 years, showing how far treatment and technology have come.

22/08/2025

Fun Fact Friday!

1. Kidney Transplant vs Dialysis
• Dialysis is life-sustaining but does not fully replace kidney function.
• Transplants improve quality of life, energy levels, and reduce long-term complications such as heart disease.

2. Donor Types
• Living Donors: Often family members; kidneys from living donors’ function longer (15–20 years).
• Deceased Donors: Available through organ donation programs; these kidneys generally last 10–12 years.
• Living donor transplantation is more common in South Africa due to limited deceased donor availability.

3. Access and Waiting Lists
• In the public sector, patients are placed on a waiting list for a donor kidney.
• Waiting times may span several years, influenced by blood group, tissue matching, and donor availability.
• Not all dialysis patients are eligible — candidates are carefully assessed for fitness to undergo transplant surgery.

4. Historical Milestone
• The first successful kidney transplant in Africa was performed in Cape Town in 1966.
• South Africa remains a leader in transplant surgery on the continent.

5. Post-Transplant Care
• Recipients must take lifelong immunosuppressant medication to prevent rejection.
• Access to these medications is critical — cost and availability can sometimes be barriers in South Africa.
• Regular follow-up is essential to monitor kidney function, medication side effects, and overall health.

6. Challenges in South Africa
• Organ shortage: Low deceased donor rates limit the number of transplants performed.
• Healthcare inequality: Access to dialysis and transplantation differs between public and private sectors.
• Awareness: Cultural and social factors influence organ donation rates.

15/08/2025

Fun Fact Friday: Organ Donation

Did you know?
One organ donor can save up to 7 lives and improve the lives of more than 50 people through tissue donation! 🫀👁️🫁🦴

In South Africa, it’s completely free to register as an organ donor — and all you need to do is tell your family about your decision. 💬👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

✅ You can still have an open-casket funeral
✅ You don’t need to be young or perfectly healthy
✅ Most religions support organ donation

Be a hero in someone’s story — become an organ donor today! 🌍💚
👉 www.odf.org.za

09/08/2025

Today and every day…we acknowledge you for the difference you make in the world!

Barberton Dialysis Inc

03/10/2025

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