A Nephrologist with Emphatic Care to Enhance Patients’ Quality of Life
Chronic kidney disease is a significant non-communicable disease that silently worsens health and diminishes patients' quality of life globally. It inflicts physical and emotional challenges while demanding the heavy burden of prolonged and costly treatment and care. MedPark Stories had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Teerayuth Jiamjariyapon, a passionate nephrologist devoted not only to treatment and care but also to fostering understanding to help patients with kidney disease achieve a better quality of life.
Proficiency Paved the Way to Nephrology
The primary reason Dr. Teerayuth Jiamjariyapon chose to specialize in nephrology stems from his mastery of internal medicine and his deep empathy for the struggles faced by patients with kidney disease.
In the past, doctors sent end-stage kidney disease patients home to prepare for the inevitable. But this is no longer the case today. Advances in medical technology have transformed the outlook for kidney patients, offering life-sustaining options such as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and even kidney transplantation — procedures that can restore normal kidney function.
“By its very nature, nephrology requires a strong knack for calculation when providing a wide range of treatments. It is a discipline that blends mathematics with biology — an art that draws on both fields simultaneously. Additionally, nephrologists usually have a structured schedule, with few emergency cases, which allows for effective time management.”
“But once I become a doctor specializing in kidney transplantation, I inevitably encounter emergency transplant cases. Patients cannot wait, and neither can the organs — doctors must perform the procedure as quickly as possible.”
Early Diagnosis of Kidney Disease Is More Crucial Than Treatment.
A doctor’s primary role indeed is to treat, but one often-overlooked factor in managing chronic diseases is early diagnosis. Early detection of kidney disease significantly enhances treatment success and helps maintain patients' quality of life.
“Most patients with kidney disease tend to wait until symptoms become severe. By the time they see a doctor, the disease is often already in its advanced stages. Treatment at this point becomes more complex and challenging, posing greater challenges for the patient. In reality, educating the public about the signs and symptoms of kidney disease in every stage engenders awareness and self-monitoring, helping people seek medical attention before it is too late.”
It is for this reason that Dr. Teerayuth places great emphasis on educating patients and the public while actively supporting the development of informative and practical kidney disease resources. He also devotes himself to kidney transplantation, thoroughly studying tissue compatibility to ensure donor–recipient matches are safe, effective, and fully compliant with Thai legal regulations.
Memorable Kidney Transplant Cases
Caring for patients with end-stage kidney disease is both challenging and deeply demanding. Kidney transplantation provides them with an opportunity to regain a regular, pain-free life and restore their quality of life. Throughout this journey, one often encounters inspiring acts of altruism and selflessness.
“There was one case in which a son donated one of his kidneys to his mother. The transplantation surgery proceeded smoothly, with me working alongside the surgical team. After the operation, her condition improved significantly, allowing her to return to a normal, healthy life. As for the son, who now has only one kidney, many might assume this would compromise his health — but the outcome was quite the opposite.”
“Because he realized he no longer had two kidneys, he became much more conscious about his health, taking excellent care of himself. In fact, his overall health check results were even better than before he donated his kidney. The donation truly became a happy ending for the entire family.”
Kidney Care at MedPark Hospital: Helping Patients Manage Their Condition with Ease
Kidney disease is a chronic condition with a complex and demanding treatment process. Effective management certainly requires specialists with advanced expertise, state-of-the-art medical technology, and a healthcare environment that is fully equipped and well-suited for patient care.
“When patients come for dialysis at the hospital, the most important consideration is hygiene. At MedPark, we use purified water, transported through seamless piping systems to minimize the risk of microbial contamination. Each dialysis unit is in a private room, reducing the chance of cross-infection between patients. The meticulously designed setup reduces the risk of complications for dialysis patients. Moreover, the hospital has specialist doctors and a multidisciplinary care team working collaboratively, ensuring patients receive attentive, appropriate care for the highest possible treatment effectiveness.”
A Favorite Hobby: A Self-Challenging Activity
“I play tennis.” Dr. Teerayuth replied immediately when asked about his favorite pastime.
After suffering from injuries in his favorite sport of football, he decided to switch to tennis. At first glance, tennis appears to be a competitive sport, focused on prevailing over an opponent. It truly offers the chance to challenge oneself and develop mental discipline and self-mastery.
“I’m fascinated by biomechanics - how to move and generate force to hit the ball to different distances and directions. Tennis also has an element of ‘inner game,’ where you’re really competing with yourself, mastering your mind to maintain focus and composure, staying fully present during play. In this way, tennis offers much more than just physical activity.”
Finally, is there anything people commonly misunderstand about kidney disease?
“Many believe that diabetes medications cause kidney disease, whereas in fact, uncontrolled blood sugar is the primary culprit of kidney damage and the worsening of kidney disease. People with diabetes are already at a higher risk for kidney complications. Taking diabetes medications to manage blood sugar properly can help prevent kidney disease or slow its progression, rather than causing harm.”
“However, most patients take their medications inconsistently or skip doses, often due to poor discipline and the misunderstanding I mentioned. These lead to poor diabetes control, which can result in kidney disease and aggravate kidney damage.”
Dr. Teerayuth emphasizes that medications prescribed to patients have all undergone rigorous clinical trials and are proven safe for human use. Understanding the underlying causes of the disease and trusting in the medical treatment process are vital for achieving optimal patient outcomes.
