Fresenius Offers Tips for Summer - Analyst Blog
July 01 2011 - 7:00AM
Zacks
Fresenius Medical
Care (FMS), the largest provider of dialysis products and
services in the globe, recently offered advice to renal patients to
monitor their fluid intake during the parched summer months.
Further, the company offered tips to dialysis patients on how to
satisfy their thirst, without risking their well-being, during this
period.
Dialysis is a life-preserving
mechanism that purifies the blood of waste substances and regulates
the physical chemistry when an individual’s kidneys fail. Dialysis
patients usually need treatment on a regular basis unless they are
recipients of a kidney transplant.
Fresenius Medical Care North
America (“FMCNA”) observes that most people increase their fluid
intake in order to stay hydrated in summer. However, excessive
intake of liquids can lead to a serious life threatening situation
for dialysis patients.
The kidneys control the body’s
hydration level. It is imperative for patients of kidney failure to
preserve appropriate fluid levels as this vital organ is unable to
flush out additional waste fluid.
When dialysis patients drink too
much liquid, the fluids can land up in their lungs, thereby causing
breathing problems. Other tell-tale signs of excessive liquid
retention include bodily swelling, weight gain and elevated blood
pressure. Eventually, a surfeit of fluids can damage the heart and
cause heart failure.
A company spokesperson added that,
given the inclination to drink more during hot weather, dialysis
patients should consult their physician on how to regulate fluid
intake. Furthermore, they need to learn about the symptoms
indicating water retention.
FMCNA provided some suggestions to
help dialysis patients manage their thirst. These include tips such
as: suck on some ice chips, desist from adding salt to your food,
extract juice from slices of lemon, consume frozen fruit (within
dietary allowance) and eat sugar-free candy, etc. If the patient
has diabetes, then he/she is advised to maintain glucose levels
within established levels.
On a geographical basis, Fresenius
Medical Care’s revenues, in the U.S., stagnated somewhat at almost
$2 billion while international revenues surged 14% to $1.1 billion,
in the first quarter, reflecting the vast potential for renal
therapy overseas.
Fresenius Medical is the world’s
largest provider of products and services for patients undergoing
dialysis treatment. The company’s principal competitor in the U.S.
is DaVita (DVA), which provides dialysis services
for patients suffering from chronic kidney failure or end-stage
renal disease.
DAVITA INC (DVA): Free Stock Analysis Report
FRESENIUS MED (FMS): Free Stock Analysis Report
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