Bijou Phillips on Dialysis: What Kidney Failure Means and Why a Transplant Is Critical

Bijou

Phillips is asking for help from her hospital bed. The 45-year-old actress posted a plea on social media, saying she is searching for a living kidney donor as she is undergoing dialysis. “I need help finding a kidney. I'm asking as a friend, a sister, an aunt, and most importantly, a single mother to an incredible and brave daughter" - a reference to her 11-year-old daughter. "I was born with underdeveloped kidneys and spent the first three months of life in the NICU on dialysis," she wrote in her Instagram post.

Philips caught the BK virus

In 2017, Phillips had received a kidney from a friend – a transplant which helped her live a healthy life and conceive her daughter Fianna. However, she caught the BK virus, which led to both cellular and antibody rejection. According to the National Kidney Foundation, BK virus – also known as Human polyomavirus- is a latent virus present in most people that can be reactivated by anti-rejection medication given to organ recipients. Symptoms include seizures, muscle pain, fevers, and trouble breathing.

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What is a kidney failure?

Kidney or renal failure means one or both of your kidneys no longer function well on their own. Kidney failure is sometimes temporary and develops quickly. Other times, it is a long-term condition that slowly gets worse over time, causing chronic kidney failure. According to the Cleveland Clinic, kidney failure can worsen to the most severe stage, end-stage kidney disease, which is deadly without treatment. If you have end-stage kidney disease, you may survive a few days or weeks without treatment. With the proper treatment, you can have a good quality of life while you manage kidney failure. Kidney failure affects over 750,000 people in the United States every year, and more than 2 million people worldwide.

What are the initial warning signs of kidney failure?

Many people experience few or no symptoms in the early stages of kidney disease. However, chronic kidney disease may still cause damage even though you feel fine. A few early signs many people have include:

• Extreme tiredness and fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion or trouble concentrating
• Swelling – especially around your hands, ankles, or face
• A change in how often you pee
• Cramps and muscle spasms
• Dry or itchy skin
• Poor appetite, or food may taste metallic

Also read: Lindsey Vonn Undergoes Third Surgery After Horrific Crash: Understanding the Serious ACL Knee Injury

Why does kidney failure happen?

Doctors say diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. If your blood sugar remains consistently high, it damages your kidneys as well as other organs. High blood pressure means blood travels forcefully through your body’s blood vessels. Over time and without treatment, the extra force can damage your kidneys’ tissue.

Why is a transplant important for end-stage kidney failure?

A surgeon places a healthy kidney in your body during a kidney transplant to take over for your damaged kidney. The healthy kidney (donor organ) may come from a deceased donor or a living donor. You can live well with one healthy kidney. If you receive a kidney transplant, you’ll be on medications for the rest of your life to prevent any harm to the transplanted kidney.