March is Kidney Awareness Month
Chronic kidney disease is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should. Because of this, excess fluid and waste from blood remain in the body and may cause other health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
About 30 MILLION adults in the United States have chronic kidney disease… and many are undiagnosed. Not ALL patients with kidney disease progress to kidney failure. Keeping regular check ups with your primary care doctor and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent kidney disease, or slow the progression.
Risk Factors:
Diabetes
Hypertension
Heart Disease
Obesity
Family History
Race and Gender
Tips to maintain healthy kidneys!
Keep your blood pressure below 120/80 mm Hg (or the target your doctor establishes for you).
If you have diabetes, stay in your target blood sugar range as much as possible.
Get active—physical activity helps control blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Lose weight if you’re overweight.
Recognize risk factors! Get tested regularly if you are at risk.
If you have CKD, meet with a dietician to create a kidney-healthy eating plan. The plan may need to change as you get older or if your health status changes.
Take medications as instructed, and ask your doctor about blood pressure medicines called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers, which may protect your kidneys in addition to lowering blood pressure.
If you smoke, quit. Smoking can worsen kidney disease and interfere with medication that lowers blood pressure.
If you have been diagnosed with kidney disease…maintain regular check ups with yokidney doctor (nephrologist) on your health care team.
If left untreated….
Kidney disease can progress to end stage renal disease. At this stage the kidneys are no longer functioning and the individual requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.
What do your kidneys do?
Kidneys are a special filter system for your body. Kidneys remove waste products from the blood and produce urine. Kidneys control the levels of many substances in the blood as well as help control your blood pressure.
What is dialysis?
Dialysis treatment helps remove fluid and waste products from your blood when the kidneys are not able to. There are two types of dialysis…. hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. The preferred treatment of dialysis can vary from patient to patient due to lifestyle, other health conditions, and more…. The most appropriate option can be discussed with your healthcare provider.
When a patient is diagnosed with end stage renal disease (ESRD), a kidney doctor (nephrologist) will give guidance on treatment. Nephrologists and Vascular Surgeons work together for best outcomes of ESRD patients. The Vascular Surgeon plays an integral role in the dialysis patients’ treatment journey starting with providing a surgical access to receive dialysis. Beyond creating and maintaining vascular access, vascular surgeons also play a significant role in managing potential complications. They regularly monitor the fistula or graft to ensure its functionality and longevity. They also provide comprehensive care, including the treatment of any problems that might arise from the dialysis access point.
Types of dialysis access…
Arteriovenous (AV) fistula
Arteriovenous (AV) graft
Permacath
Peritoneal catheter
Want to learn more about dialysis access options?