The Nephrology (Kidney) Clinic

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medical2

Recent statistical data shows that the prevalence of kidney disease among Thais is of mounting concern, as is the potential shortage of resources in the form of both medical personnel and advanced facilities to treat it. The Bangkok Hospital Pattaya Kidney Clinic has been recognized since its establishment for its excellence in treating a broad range of kidney problems, utilizing the latest diagnostic testing technology and an array of dialysis options.

The extensive team of specialized medical professionals at the clinic, including nephrologists and trained dialysis nurses, works in concert to create, implement and manage successful state-of-the-art dialysis programs, and strives round the clock to help patients and their families adjust to the changes kidney problems can bring.

The kidneys consist of two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist, located near the middle of the back just beneath the rib cage. Kidneys are among the most important organs in the human body, functioning as a filtering system and removing waste and fluids from the body in the form of urine.

They also perform other vital jobs like regulating the body’s water, blood pH, and other minerals in the blood such as sodium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium; removing drugs and toxins introduced into the body; and releasing hormones into the blood to help the body regulate blood pressure, make red blood cells, and develop strong bones.

Diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), certain classes of medications and chemicals, and genetic diseases can compromise kidney function as can kidney stones, chronic kidney infections and urinary tract infections.

Bangkok Hospital Pattaya’s Kidney Clinic provides:
  • On-call nephrologists who can always be reached whenever a patient is in need.
  • A modern artificial kidney unit (hemodialyzer) and private room for complication-free dialysis.
  • Well-trained attending dialysis technicians who stand by you as long as you are in our care.
Signs of kidney disease to watch out for include:
  • Changes in urine or the urinary tract such as dysuria (a burning or pain with urination) and hematuria (the presence of red blood cells in the urine).
  • Fever with severe paroxysmal low back pain.
  • Pale skin (anemia), weakness and fatigue.
  • Nocturia (frequent urination at nighttime).
  • Failing kidneys while undergoing dialysis.
  • Kidney transplants.
The clinic’s wide-ranging services include:
  • Hemodialysis. Our world-class dialysis unit provides patients with advanced hemodialysis, a process that removes waste products and excess fluids from the patient’s blood through a vein by circulating the blood through a machine that filters the waste products, after which the ‘cleaned’ blood is returned to the body. Our water treatment system for dialysis meets the standards established in the United States and utilizes state-of-the-art reverse osmosis to obtain the pure water necessary for treatment.
  • Peritoneal Dialysis Program. This procedure introduces dialysate into the abdominal cavity to remove waste products through the peritoneum (a membrane that surrounds the intestines and other organs in the abdominal cavity). Patients in need of peritoneal dialysis at home will be trained until they are confident about performing the procedure by themselves.
  • Individualized Dialysis Programs. Critically ill patients residing in the intensive care (ICU) or coronary care units (CCU) may receive such intervention as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or continuous renal replacement therapy, as directed by our specialists.
  • Plasmapheresis. Plasmapheresis is the process by which the fluid part of the blood, called plasma, is separated from blood cells by a device known as a cell separator. The cells are then returned to the patient undergoing treatment, while the plasma is either treated or replaced with other fluids. This is used with patients suffering from certain types of blood or autoimmune diseases.
  • Hemoperfusion. With hemoperfusion, the patient’s blood is passed over an absorbent surface that removes certain types of chemicals and toxins. The procedure is useful for patients suffering from anclass=”hilight” overdose of medication or chemical poisoning.

(Please see the enclosed packages for details of our services.)

Other facilities for detection of kidney-related disorders include ultrasonography and a clinical chemistry laboratory for the diagnostic testing of both blood and urine analysis.

Digital Mammogram with Tomosynthesis

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breast center04

A specific type of breast imaging that can produce results in 2D and 3D at the same time, taking about 10 seconds for each image and get a good result that helps detect cancer and makes diagnosis between the breast lump and tumor more accurate. Radiation oncologist can read the image in each dimension or each slices out a reconstruction image to analyze the shape and size of suspected lump. It can diagnose the difference between fat, connective tissue and lymphatic system to find small sized calcium that can signal the presence of cancer. Staging of the condition is a significant factor in the treatment as ‘the earlier the condition is found the more chance of cancer recover and treatment’.

3D Digital Mammogram comes with a low compression unlike the old device (X-ray) as the image goes in +/- 15º and displays a result in 3D. This makes the procedure less painful. Not only the radiation oncologist can read the result more accurate but also reduce recall rates and improves the quality of patients identification for breast biopsy of each patients.

Women age from 35 years old are advised to have breast examination every year or according to the specialist’s recommendation.

 

Advantages of 3 Tesla MRI in Musculoskeletal Imaging

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Clinical musculoskeletal MR imaging is now transitioning from 1.5T to 3T systems.

The advantages of higher field strength in the evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders are apparent since the better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) can be applied in multiple fashions to improve imaging times and image resolution.

The potential for demonstrating and enhancing the visibility of several osseous, tendinous, cartilaginous, ligamentous and other intrinsic joint structures in faster scan time has been appreciated. Such clearer visualization of small structures and the pathology leads to potentially increased diagnostic accuracy. The potential of coil technology and parallel imaging for 3T MRI also helps produce superb images comparing to 1.5T systems. Excellent image quality has impressed referring orthopedic surgeons and rheumatologists, plus the reduction in scan time has resulted in greater patient satisfaction and reduced anxiety. It has been shown that 3T MR imaging vastly improves diagnostic abilities in the musculoskeletal system, which means better patient care and management.

Better Image Quality, High Resolution

Better Positioning, More Comfort, 70 cm bore

Better Technology, Digital Broadband MR

 

Dengue Fever

 

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This virus is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.  Symptoms include high fever, headache, joint and muscle pains; it is sometimes called “breakbone fever”.  There is no vaccine and the only prevention is mosquito repellent.  Dengue is not uncommon and almost never fatal to young people in good health, but for older people or those with chronic debilities hospitalization is advisable.

Diarrhea

 

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Travelers require considerable care to avoid “diarrhea”. If you do succumb to diarrhea, its intensity will depend on how much contaminated food or drink you con

1.  Eat food served steaming hot and cooked to order rather than food left out on trays or in chafing dishes.  Among fruits, choose those that have to be peeled (like oranges, bananas) rather than those you consume with the skin intact (like grapes).  Bread is usually safe.  Choose bottled soft drinks over freshly squeezed fruit juices or locally produced drinks like “nam oy” (sugar cane juice).  Buffets, a great way to try a variety of local foods and also one of the best way to contact diarrhea !

2. Avoid salads, uncooked fresh vegetables, and all shellfish.

3. Microorganisms clinging to people’s hands are a major source of contamination.  Do not eat anything that has been touched by hands.

4. Drinks with cube ice or tube ice are safe; drinks made with crushed ice or chipped ice from blocks are not.

Should you get a persistent case of diarrhea, remember to drink lots of fluids, as dehydration is a particular problem.  If children come down with diarrhea, it can be very serious and a physician should be contacted to recommend rehydration salts.  You should also contact a physician anytime you pass blood, have violent diarrhea or vomiting, as these are symptomatic of Amoebic Dysentery and haemorrhagic fevers like Cholera or Yellow Fever, and thus life-threatening.

 

Sport Facilities

The Bira International Circuit, about 15 kilometers from Pattaya on the Pattaya-Rayong Road (Highway No. 36), organizes motor and/or motorcycle races regularly over the weekends. For more information, call (02) 280 3547, 522 1731-8.

The Pattaya Cart Speedway is a small racing track about 5 kilometers south of Pattaya on Thep Prasit Road. Open both professional and amateur drivers, it is open daily from 9.30 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. Tel: (038) 422044.

The Lakeland Water Cable Ski, at Km. 150.5 on Highway No. 3, is about 5 kilometers from Pattaya. Cable ski equipments are available for use at its large fresh-water lake. Open daily 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Tel: (038) 232690-2

On the bank of the Huai Sak Nok reservoir off Sukhumvit Highway at Km. 150, the Bamrung Sport Club offers instructions and facilities for water sports such as wind-surfing, Sailing, para-motor and para-gliding. There are also facilities for horse-riding and canoeing, catamaraning and kayaking. Tel: (038) 249841.

The Pattaya Horse-Riding Training Center , at Km. 11 on Highway No. 36, has horses for hire. Tel: (038) 225149.

Five kilometers on Phonprapha Nimit Road off Highway No. 3 at Km. 145, the Panararak Park is a nature-based recreation facility. With fishing gears for rent, visitors can relax in a game of fishing. Tel: (038) 249605-6

Cabaret Shows / Off-shore Islands

 

Cabaret Shows

Alcazar on Pattaya II Road with three shows daily at 6 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9.30 p.m. Extra show on Saturday at 11 p.m. Call (038) 410225 for more information.

Tiffany on Pattaya II Road with three shows daily at 7 p.m., 8.30 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. Call (038) 429642, 421700-5 for more information.

The Pattaya Park at Chomtien features a large water park with giant sliders and a tower to enjoy the view of Pattaya. There is also a revolving restaurant. Tel: (038) 251201-8 or (02) 579 9612-4, 941 2056.
Off-shore Islands

Off-shores are several popular small isles where visitors can enjoy scuba-diving to view underwater corals. Tour counters within hotels can make the necessary arrangement. Alternatively, boats can be rented around the Beach Road or at the South Pattaya landing. Several types of vessels are available.

Ko Lan is some 7.5 kilometers or 45 minutes by ferry from Pattaya. The 2 km. x 5 km. land area offers several white, sandy beaches such as Hat Ta Waen to the north. This is where most of the tour boats make anchor to take advantage of the food-shops and stalls along the shore. Hat Laem Thian and Hat Samae are located to the southwest while Hat Ta Phan is to the west of the island. Facing Hat Ta Phan are coral ranges. To the south are some hotels and is another site to view coral reefs. Visitors can choose glass-bottom boats and surface-diving.

Getting there: A ferry leave South Pattaya pier daily from 10 a.m. until 6.30 p.m. On return, the ferry leaves Ko Lan’s Na Ban Beach at 12 noon and 2 p.m. speed boats are also available at South Pattaya beach.

Some 8 kilometers off Pattaya Beach is Ko Khrok, an isle almost totally surrounded by rock formations. A gap of 100 meters to the east is a stretch of sandy beach from which visitors can go and enjoy viewing underwater coral reefs. This island can be reached by chartered boat from South Pattaya.

Some six hundred meters further from Ko Lan, or about 10 kilometers from Pattaya is Ko Sak , a small island shaped like an upturn horse-shoe. There are two connecting beaches to the north and south. Along the south shore are ranges of corals. Ko Sak can be reached by chartered boat from South Pattaya.

Two hours, 23 kilometers from Pattaya are the Ko Phai Islands, the largest of which is Ko Phai. Others include Ko Manwichai, Ko Luam and Ko Klungbadan. The area is under the supervision of the Royal Thai Navy. However, visitors are allowed for swimming, relaxation or diving but only during daytime. Overnight stays are not permitted.

Attractions

 

Khao Pattaya or Khao Phra Bat is a small hill to the south of Pattaya Beach . And asphalt road leads up to the hilltop. Khao Pattaya is now the site of the Naval radio station. A sacred Buddha image is also enshrined on the hilltop. At the foot of the hill is a Health Park which attracts joggers and ordinary tourists wishing to get a panoramic view of Pattaya City and Pattaya Bay .

Hat Chomthian (Jomtien) is a km.-long beach and only 4 kilometers from Pattaya. A beach road runs parallel to the shores along which are hotels and other accommodation facilities. Less noisy than Pattaya, it is popular as a site for relaxation, swimming and water-sports.

Wong Phrachan Beach is on the northern side of Pattaya Bay . The 1 kilometer beach shares the same entrance as the Central Wong Amat Hotel. A quiet spot, the beach is ideal swimming and relaxation.

The Million-Year Stone Park and Crocodile Farm , located some 9 kilometers from Pattaya city. Its grounds are beautifully landscaped with flowering and rock gardens. Hundreds of crocodiles as well as some rare animals, including albino bears and horses, are kept. There are crocodile shows, magic performances and animal shows 6 times a day from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. The compound is open daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Call (038) 249347-9 for more information.

Mini Siam , located at Km. 143 on Highway No. 3, is a wonderland of miniature replicas of such outstanding architectural work as the Temple of the Buddha. Democracy Monument , Bridge over the River Kwai, Prasat Hin Phimai, etc. Replicals if places of world significance are also displayed in the “mini-world” area. These include the Tower Bridge , Eiffel Tower , the Statue of liberty and Trevi Fountain. It is open daily from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Call (038) 421628, 424232 or (02) 271 1896, 616 1533 for more information.

Pattaya Elephant Village stage shows demonstrating how to catch wild elephants-at-work in the jungle, elephants playing football and a grand war elephants parade. Elephant rides around the village. The-one-hour-long elephant shows are held at 14.30 hrs. Contact counter in Tropicana Hotel, Tel: (038) 24145-7, 249818.

Elephant shows are also operated in other places. Most of them are located on Sukhumvit Road. These include Ban Chang Thai Tel: (038) 706289, Utthayan Chang Tel: (038) 716379, Thin Chang Thai Tel: (038) 756516, 756577, Suan Chang Tel: (038) 756517 and Farm Chang Thai Tel: (038) 237825

Sanctuary of Truth is a gigantic temple-like structure situated by the sea at Laem Ratchawet on Naklua Road, North Pattaya. With exquisite architectural features, the sanctuary was conceived out of the vision that human civilization has been achieved and nurtured by religious and philosophical truth. It is open daily from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Admission fee is 500 baht Tel: (038) 225407

The Ripley’s believe It or Not Auditorium, situated in the Royal Garden Plaza on Beach Road, has a large collection of stories of oddities from every corner of the globe.

The Motion Master Moving Theatre, also in the Royal Garden Plaza, offer hi-tech screening of motions and movements as experienced in real life. Open from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Tel: (038) 710294-8