Kidney disease is a life-threatening medical disorder that causes a build-up of wastes and fluids in your blood. The absence of symptoms makes diagnosing the condition in its early stages difficult. Devaraj Munikrishnappa, M.D. recommends regular medical exams, which allow you to detect such disorders early, increasing treatment success rates.
An overview of chronic kidney disease
Kidney disease is a medical term referring to the damage and malfunctioning of the kidneys. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering excess fluids and waste from your blood, which are eliminated via the urine. Kidney disease means that your kidneys are unable to filter your blood. In most cases, treatment is enough to salvage your kidney function, but you may need a kidney transplant in severe cases.
If you experience the symptoms for three months or more, you have chronic kidney disease. Early chronic kidney disease causes mild symptoms that you may ignore, only to realize later that you have the disorder when it is advanced. Treatment focuses on controlling the root cause and preventing further kidney damage. If left untreated, chronic kidney disease can result in kidney failure, which is life-threatening without dialysis.
The most prevalent symptoms of chronic kidney disease
Kidney disease is a slowly progressive disorder, and the symptoms may not manifest during its early stages. As the fluids and wastes accumulate in your blood, you may start experiencing uncomfortable symptoms, depending on the extent of kidney damage.
The signature symptoms of chronic kidney disease include chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained fatigue or weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Some of these signs are nonspecific and may also indicate other medical conditions. Early detection prevents further kidney damage and progression to kidney failure. If you suspect your medical condition elevates your chances of developing kidney disease, your physician may monitor your kidney function and blood pressure during your routine visits.
Possible complications of chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease does not only affect your kidneys; it can also cause complications in other body organs. These complications include anemia, heart disease, pregnancy complications, pulmonary edema, and increased vulnerability to infection.
Available treatments for kidney disease
Houston Kidney Specialists Center utilizes state-of-art technology to diagnose and treat kidney disease. The diagnostic tests include kidney biopsies and urinalysis. After determining the severity of the damage to your kidney, the team creates a treatment plan to prevent progression.
Your treatment plan may involve medications to prevent complications and alleviate your symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory and blood pressure medications to improve your general health. The Houston Kidney Specialists Center team may recommend reducing protein amounts in your meals to minimize the amount of waste material in your bloodstream. If you have severe kidney disease, they may recommend dialysis.
The facility offers hemodialysis, which filters your blood in place of your kidneys. A kidney transplant restores normal body functioning. After the transplant, you may need to take specific medications for life to prevent your body from rejecting the kidney.
Call the Houston Kidney Specialists Center office for excellent kidney disease treatment and management, or book an appointment online.