Kidney Disease Management in Indiana
We aim to improve your renal health and quality of life by offering comprehensive care for managing your kidney disease.
Risk Factors That Cause Kidney Disease
Kidney disease can affect everyone, although certain people are at a higher risk of having it. You may be at a higher risk for kidney disease if you have any of the following:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Over the age of 60
- A family member who has chronic kidney disease
- You are African American, Hispanic American, Asian-Pacific Islander or, an American Indian descent
If you fall into any of these categories, you may be at high risk for kidney disease and you should consult with a doctor.
Other Causes for Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is caused by a variety of other diseases and situations, including:
- Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Recurrent kidney infection
- Abnormal kidney structure
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Other rare diseases and congenital disabilities
- Interstitial nephritis (inflammation of the kidney’s tubules)
- Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units)
- Vesicoureteral reflux - a condition where the urine goes back to the kidney
- Prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract from conditions such as enlarged prostate, kidney stones, and some cancers
In the United States, the most common causes of kidney disease are type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. Knowing what triggered your kidney disease could help your doctor treat it more effectively.
Diagnosis of Kidney Diseases
Kidney illness often has no symptoms and goes unnoticed until it is quite advanced. Hence, it’s critical to be tested as early detection and treatment can help halt or stop the renal disease from progressing. Kidney disease can be detected by two simple tests:
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Albumin to Creatinine Ratio (ACR) Test
This test involves a urine protein test that determines how much albumin is present in your urine. A high level of protein in your urine could indicate that the filtering units in your kidneys have been damaged by disease. This test is often repeated as a positive result could be just due to other factors like a fever or strenuous exercise. -
Blood Creatinine Test
Our doctors will compute your glomerular filtration rate (GFR) based on your blood sample results concerning your age, race, gender, and other characteristics. Your GFR indicates how well your kidneys are working.
Treatment and Prevention for Kidney Failure
There are several ways to treat kidney diseases which include:
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Dialysis
Dialysis is a kidney failure treatment. Dialysis is divided into hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis is a type of dialysis in which a machine cleans your blood. On the other hand, peritoneal dialysis cleans your blood by filtering it via the peritoneum, the lining of your abdomen. Dialysis must be performed in a sanitary environment, whether at home or in a clinic. -
Kidney Transplant
A kidney transplant or renal transplant is a process where a patient with end-stage kidney disease receives an organ transplant of a kidney. Depending on the source of the donor organ, kidney transplantation is usually classed as deceased-donor or living-donor transplantation. -
Medical Management
If you do not wish to be treated for your kidney failure through dialysis or transplantation, medical management may be an option. Medical management is a treatment for kidney failure symptoms that allows you to live comfortably until your body no longer functions.
Like most other health issues, the likelihood of having kidney disease can be reduced by living a healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, limiting sugar intake, monitoring blood pressure levels, and avoiding smoking, alcohol, and drugs can help keep your kidney healthy.
Why Choose Us
Kidney disease can impair your way of life, but it doesn't have to define you. Our mission is to improve your quality of life by treating you as a person rather than a patient. Our kidney disease management program includes:
- Kidney biopsy
- Comprehensive kidney evaluation
- Kidney health education
- Kidney stone prevention and medical therapy
- Fluid and edema management
- Electrolytes management
- Management of cardiorenal syndromes
- Urinalysis evaluation and therapy
- Proteinuria evaluation and management
- Kidney cysts and polycystic kidney disease management
- Individualized kidney protection strategies for patients with multiple medical issues