Roanoke Rapids daily herald., 1948-11-18
An Operation
.WiN Correct q
'MovubIeKidney
By HERMAN N. BUNDESEN. MD.

AS far back as 1881, an operation
was introduced for fixing the kidney
in position. This operation is known
as nephropexy. However, following
its introduction, it was employed to
treat many different abnormal COM
plants if the kidney could be felt
through the abdominal wall. Now
we know that such operations in
many of these instances were of no
value But we also have found out
that if the kidney is really out of
position, due to repeated injuries,
pregnancies, overeXertion, lack of
exercise, long hours of standing or
the wearing of tight corsets, an op-
GRAFTON to fix it into proper position
is of value.
Symptoms of a movable kidney I
consist of dull, aching pains in the
affected side, which may be relieved
by rest in bed. From time to time,
there may be severe attacks of pain,
often associated with sickness at
the stomach and vomiting. This Sc
we're pain passes from the back into
| the lower abdomen and can be re-
lieved only by the giving of opiates.
Infection Develops
In some cases of movable kidney,
an infection of the pelvis of the
kidney has developed, in which the
urine collects before it passes into
the bladder. Blood in the urine also
may occur as result of congestion.
Movable kidney may develop at
almost any age, although it seems
to develop most often in those be-
tween the ages of 80 and 40. An
other interesting observation is
that women suffer from this condi-.
ton more often than men, and the
right side is affected more often
than the left. Just why this should
be so, we do not know.
| However, we do know that such
conditions as weakness of the alb
dominal muscles, loss of weight, and
bad posture may contribute to the
development of the disorder. Pa
tients with movable kidney usually
feel better on arising in the MORN
ing and become worse as the day
goes on. They also are relieved by
| lying down or by wearing a sup
porting belt. If complete relief is
obtained by wearing such support,
operation is not required.
Infection in Teeth
The doctor always makes sure,
before operation is done, that any
infection present, such as in the
teeth, tonsils or sinuses, is elimi-
mated.
The operation for this disorder
produces permanent cure in most
cases. During the operation the kid
ney is not fixed too securely, since
it normally moves up and down a
little during breathing. If by chance
it is fastened too securely, greater
pain may result than occurs from
the abnormal movement of the kid
ney.
| Patients suffering from this con-
dition should seek relief. 1t will
make life more bearable and that
is surely worth while.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
C. M. W.: For a number Of years
my son had pimples and blackheads
which have caused small holes in his
face. Is there any treatment for re-
moving the scars?
Answer: know of no method for
the satisfactory removal of scars
caused by pimples. Perhaps plastic
surgery of some type might be of
value.
A skin specialist should be con-
suited.
Fl. D. E.: My son Of seventeen
grinds his teeth while asleep. What
is the cause of this?
Answer: Grinding the teeth is
sign of nervousness, and the treat
ment for it consists in proper hy-
giene.