Chronic Kidney Disease
Learn more from the National Kidney Foundation about Chronic Kidney Disease including:
DOWNLOAD the National Kidney Foundation brochure.
- What is chronic kidney disease and it's five stages
- The causes and symptoms of chronic kidney disease
- Detection and treatment of chronic kidney disease
DOWNLOAD the National Kidney Foundation brochure.
What You Need to Know About Potassium
Click Here to read this article from the National Kidney Foundation and learn more about Potassium including:
- What is potassium and why is it important?
- What is a safe level of potassium in your blood?
- How you can keep your potassium level from getting too high
- Foods that are high and low in potassium
- Getting potassium out of high-potassium vegetables
Get The Low Down on a Low Sodium Diet
Click Here to read this article from the National Kidney Foundation and learn more about a Low Sodium Diet, including:
- What is sodium and the effects of consuming in excess
- Why you should limit sodium intake and tips on doing so
- Hints on food labels and cooking with sodium
- Salt!
Keeping High Blood Pressure in Check
Click Here for a High Blood Pressure Risk Calculator from the American Heart Association and learn more about HBP, including:
- What is high blood pressure and why it is serious
- Risks, symptoms and diagnosis of HBP
- Prevention, monitoring and treatment of high blood pressure
Diabetes and CKD
Click Here for an article on Diabetes and Kidney Disease by the National Kidney Foundation and learn more about Diabetes including:
- The types of diabetes and their effects on the kidneys
- Signs of kidney disease and care for those with diabetes
- Kidney failure, dialysis and transplants
Dialysis Modalities
Click Here to learn more about the different types of dialysis modalities available, including:
- Hemodialysis
- Peritoneal dialysis
- The treatments, the differences, and lifestyle one experiences with dialysis
Nephrology
Nephrology is a part of the medical field that deals with the physiology and diseases of the kidneys. The kidneys filter and separate toxins, mineral salts, urea, and other waste products from the blood. The waste materials then go to the bladder via the kidneys as urine, where they are then expelled from the body. As the kidneys filter the blood, they reabsorb water, salts, glucose, amino acids, and electrolytes, back into the bloodstream.
Many diseases that affect the kidneys are disorders not limited to the organ itself. These diseases may require special treatment. Examples include conditions such as systemic vasculitides (e.g. ANCA vasculitis) and autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus), as well as congenital or genetic conditions such as polycystic kidney disease.
Diagnosis
In order to confirm a diagnosis, there are tests of the physical properties of the suspected disease. Doctors will also look at the history of the patients’ symptoms. More specialized tests can be ordered to discover or link any diseases to kidney failures such as hepatitis b or hepatitis c, lupus serologies, paraproteinemias such as amyloidosis or multiple myeloma or various other systemic diseases that lead to kidney failure. The collection of a urine sample can give the doctors information that they may need to determine the filtering capacity of the kidney as well as the amount of protein loss in some forms of kidney disease. However, urine samples have recently been replaced and reintroduced as a spot urine ratio of protein and creatinine.
If you feel to be having any difficulty with your kidney function, and you feel that something may be wrong, get in contact with us today and we will book you an appointment. We want to help you lead a happy, healthy, life.
Know Your Kidney Numbers
Your kidney numbers include 2 tests: ACR (Albumin to Creatinine Ratio) and GFR (glomerular filtration rate). GFR is a measure of kidney function and is performed through a blood test. Your GFR will determine what stage of kidney disease you have – there are 5 stages. Know your stage.ACR is a urine test to see how much albumin (a type of protein) is in your urine. Too much albumin in your urine is an early sign of kidney damage.
Many diseases that affect the kidneys are disorders not limited to the organ itself. These diseases may require special treatment. Examples include conditions such as systemic vasculitides (e.g. ANCA vasculitis) and autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus), as well as congenital or genetic conditions such as polycystic kidney disease.
Diagnosis
In order to confirm a diagnosis, there are tests of the physical properties of the suspected disease. Doctors will also look at the history of the patients’ symptoms. More specialized tests can be ordered to discover or link any diseases to kidney failures such as hepatitis b or hepatitis c, lupus serologies, paraproteinemias such as amyloidosis or multiple myeloma or various other systemic diseases that lead to kidney failure. The collection of a urine sample can give the doctors information that they may need to determine the filtering capacity of the kidney as well as the amount of protein loss in some forms of kidney disease. However, urine samples have recently been replaced and reintroduced as a spot urine ratio of protein and creatinine.
If you feel to be having any difficulty with your kidney function, and you feel that something may be wrong, get in contact with us today and we will book you an appointment. We want to help you lead a happy, healthy, life.
Know Your Kidney Numbers
Your kidney numbers include 2 tests: ACR (Albumin to Creatinine Ratio) and GFR (glomerular filtration rate). GFR is a measure of kidney function and is performed through a blood test. Your GFR will determine what stage of kidney disease you have – there are 5 stages. Know your stage.ACR is a urine test to see how much albumin (a type of protein) is in your urine. Too much albumin in your urine is an early sign of kidney damage.
CKD Patient Information
Get Your Blood Pressure Checked
Blood pressure checks are important since high blood pressure can damage the kidneys. Know what numbers are considered acceptable for your condition and work with your health care professionals to take steps that will keep you in that range.
Talk to Your Doctor About Medication Dosage and Imaging Tests
Many prescription and over-the-counter medications are filtered by the kidneys. This means that normal kidneys remove medications from the body. When your kidneys aren't working properly, medications can build up and cause you harm. It’s important to let ALL your healthcare providers know if you have kidney disease. Your doctors should review all medications you're taking – both over the counter and ones prescribed by a doctor. Your healthcare providers may need to make changes to your medications to make sure they are safe for your kidneys and prevent further kidney damage.
Exposure to intravenous contrast dyes used in imaging (MRI, CT or angiograms) can cause kidney damage, so be sure to speak with your doctor before scheduling one of these tests.
Talk to a Dietitian
Eating a proper diet is essential for those with any stage of kidney disease. Across the board, cutting down on sodium is an important recommendation, but the kidney diet is very individualized. Be sure to make an appointment with a renal dietitian (one who specializes in kidney disease) immediately to receive your personalized diet plan. Medicare covers dietitian services for those with eGFR less than 50 as well as for those with diabetes.
Plan to see the Kidney Specialist
Most experts agree that you should see a kidney specialist, called a nephrologist, when your eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate—a measure of kidney function) is less than 30.
Understand the Kidney-Heart Connection.
The kidney and heart are connected as kidney disease is a risk factor for heart disease and vice versa. Once you have a kidney disease diagnosis, ask the clinician that’s treating you what you can do to lower your risk of heart disease or treat it if you already have it. 7. Have your blood cholesterol levels checked regularly.
Stop Smoking
In addition to causing lung cancer and lung disease, smoking is also associated with kidney disease, kidney cancer and bladder cancer. Smoking slows the blood flow to vital organs like the kidneys, causing damage. Think of smoking as stepping on the accelerator for any disease that you may have. So if you have kidney disease, smoking can make it even worse.
Exercise
Exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight and stay active. So keep moving! Do what you are able to do and talk with your doctor about any health-related limitations you may have.
If you are Diagnosed with Stage 4 CKD Then it’s Important to Also:
Learn About Treatment Options for Kidney Failure.
If you’re in the late stages of kidney disease (stage 4 or 5), ask your kidney doctor or advanced practitioner about the different types of treatment options for kidney failure so you can choose the one that best suits your health and lifestyle. Options include: transplant, dialysis, and no treatment. There are different types of dialysis treatments to learn about as well including, in-center hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, home hemodialysis, and nocturnal dialysis.
Create an Access to Your Bloodstream
If you’re planning to start hemodialysis, you’ll need to prepare by having surgery to create an access to your veins. Be sure to avoid needle sticks in that arm. Once you have your access placed there will be additional precautions you should take to keep your access working well.
Diabetes and high blood pressure can cause damage to both the heart and kidneys. If you have heart disease, it is likely that you have kidney disease and vice-versa. Many people don’t experience severe symptoms until their kidney or heart disease is quite advanced, but there are some warning signs. Could you be ignoring them?
5 Clues That Your Kidney or Heart May be in Trouble:
Anyone can develop chronic kidney disease at any age. However, some people are more likely than others to develop kidney disease due to their age, racial and ethnic background, and/or family history of heart disease, kidney failure, diabetes or high blood pressure.
Blood pressure checks are important since high blood pressure can damage the kidneys. Know what numbers are considered acceptable for your condition and work with your health care professionals to take steps that will keep you in that range.
Talk to Your Doctor About Medication Dosage and Imaging Tests
Many prescription and over-the-counter medications are filtered by the kidneys. This means that normal kidneys remove medications from the body. When your kidneys aren't working properly, medications can build up and cause you harm. It’s important to let ALL your healthcare providers know if you have kidney disease. Your doctors should review all medications you're taking – both over the counter and ones prescribed by a doctor. Your healthcare providers may need to make changes to your medications to make sure they are safe for your kidneys and prevent further kidney damage.
Exposure to intravenous contrast dyes used in imaging (MRI, CT or angiograms) can cause kidney damage, so be sure to speak with your doctor before scheduling one of these tests.
Talk to a Dietitian
Eating a proper diet is essential for those with any stage of kidney disease. Across the board, cutting down on sodium is an important recommendation, but the kidney diet is very individualized. Be sure to make an appointment with a renal dietitian (one who specializes in kidney disease) immediately to receive your personalized diet plan. Medicare covers dietitian services for those with eGFR less than 50 as well as for those with diabetes.
Plan to see the Kidney Specialist
Most experts agree that you should see a kidney specialist, called a nephrologist, when your eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate—a measure of kidney function) is less than 30.
Understand the Kidney-Heart Connection.
The kidney and heart are connected as kidney disease is a risk factor for heart disease and vice versa. Once you have a kidney disease diagnosis, ask the clinician that’s treating you what you can do to lower your risk of heart disease or treat it if you already have it. 7. Have your blood cholesterol levels checked regularly.
Stop Smoking
In addition to causing lung cancer and lung disease, smoking is also associated with kidney disease, kidney cancer and bladder cancer. Smoking slows the blood flow to vital organs like the kidneys, causing damage. Think of smoking as stepping on the accelerator for any disease that you may have. So if you have kidney disease, smoking can make it even worse.
Exercise
Exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight and stay active. So keep moving! Do what you are able to do and talk with your doctor about any health-related limitations you may have.
If you are Diagnosed with Stage 4 CKD Then it’s Important to Also:
Learn About Treatment Options for Kidney Failure.
If you’re in the late stages of kidney disease (stage 4 or 5), ask your kidney doctor or advanced practitioner about the different types of treatment options for kidney failure so you can choose the one that best suits your health and lifestyle. Options include: transplant, dialysis, and no treatment. There are different types of dialysis treatments to learn about as well including, in-center hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, home hemodialysis, and nocturnal dialysis.
Create an Access to Your Bloodstream
If you’re planning to start hemodialysis, you’ll need to prepare by having surgery to create an access to your veins. Be sure to avoid needle sticks in that arm. Once you have your access placed there will be additional precautions you should take to keep your access working well.
Diabetes and high blood pressure can cause damage to both the heart and kidneys. If you have heart disease, it is likely that you have kidney disease and vice-versa. Many people don’t experience severe symptoms until their kidney or heart disease is quite advanced, but there are some warning signs. Could you be ignoring them?
5 Clues That Your Kidney or Heart May be in Trouble:
- PUFFY EYES
If your eyes are consistently swollen, especially in the morning, take note. This has been linked with kidney and heart disease. Because puffy eyes are linked with many other conditions, kidney disease and heart disease are often overlooked. - HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
High blood pressure (hypertentions) is a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes and chronic kidney disease. Controlling high blood pressure by losing excess weight, exercising, not smoking, cutting back on salt intake and taking high blood pressure medications reduces the risk of these complications. Even borderline high blood pressure, or pre-hypertension, should be taken seriously, as it can inflict kidney damage. - SWELLING AROUND YOUR EXTREMITIES
The kidneys filter wastes from the blood and remove excess water from the body via urine. When the kidneys aren’t doing their job, this fluid can stay in the system instead of being excreted. Swelling around the hands, feet, and ankles may be associated with kidney or heart failure and shouldn’t be dismissed. - PROTEIN OR BLOOD IN THE URINE
Urinalysis or urine testing is used to look for abnormalities such as an excess amount of protein, blood, pus, bacteria or sugar. A urine test can help to detect a variety of kidney and urinary tract disorders, including chronic kidney disease, diabetes, bladder infections and kidney stones. A trace of one type of protein, albumin in urine (albuminuria) is an early sign of chronic kidney disease. Persistent amounts of albumin and other proteins in the urine (proteinuria) indicate kidney damage. The presence of albumin is also a risk factor for cardiovascular events and death. - HIGH CHOLESTEROL
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in your blood. Too much cholesterol can build up in your blood vessels, narrowing vessels and leading to a blockage. When a blockage occurs in your heart vessels, it is called coronary heart disease and can cause a heart attack. In people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), heart disease is very common. It is suggested that people with CKD have cholesterol labs drawn at least yearly. Your doctor may want to do them more frequently if something has changed with your health.
Anyone can develop chronic kidney disease at any age. However, some people are more likely than others to develop kidney disease due to their age, racial and ethnic background, and/or family history of heart disease, kidney failure, diabetes or high blood pressure.
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