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What Causes Chronic Kidney Disease? What is Chronic Kidney Disease?Your kidneys' main function is to filter waste and excess fluids from your blood. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function, often over the course of many years, which means waste and toxins slowly seep into the blood and cause various illnesses or even organ failure. CKD can progress to end-stage kidney failure, which is fatal without the use of dialysis or a kidney transplant. What Causes Chronic Kidney Disease?CKD occurs most often when a disease or condition impairs kidney functionality, which causes kidney damage to worsen over months and years. The two main causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, which together cause about two-thirds of CKD cases.
How Can I Prevent Chronic Kidney Disease?Follow these prevention tips to reduce your risk of developing Chronic Kidney Disease:
Risk Factors of CKD
When to See A Doctor For CKDThe earlier that kidney disease is detected and treated, the higher chance of slowing down or hindering its progression. Early detection can be difficult with CKD because by the time symptoms surface, the patient is usually already far along the disease's timeline. Getting regular checkups and blood work is extremely important. If you are at high risk of developing CKD, make an appointment with your doctor or make an appointment with a nephrologist (kidney specialist) here. Got Questions? We Have AnswersMilwaukee Nephrologists is a network of experts and doctors that are board-certified in Nephrology and have chosen a focus that provides a wide array of sub-specialization. If you or a loved one suffers from, or is at risk for kidney disease, please contact us for an examination.
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 What is Dialysis and When Do I Need It? What Is Dialysis?Before you can understand what dialysis does, you must understand what kidneys do and how they function. The kidneys are responsible for removing waste substances and fluid from your blood. When your kidneys fail, they effectively stop filtering waste from blood. This is why dialysis is used to keep your body in balance. By removing waste, salt, and extra water to prevent them from building up in the body, dialysis machines essentially act as exterior kidneys. This procedure helps control your blood pressure and keep a safe level of certain chemicals in your body, such as potassium, sodium, and bicarbonate. When Is Dialysis Needed?Dialysis is needed when your kidneys can no longer remove enough waste and fluid from your body to keep you healthy. This typically happens when you only have 10 to 15 percent of your kidney function left. There are 5 stages of chronic kidney disease, the later of which become fatal if left untreated. Generally, symptoms start to show around stage 3, by which point you will definitely need treatment. In chronic or end stage kidney failure your kidneys will not get better and you will need dialysis for the rest of your life, or transplantation. Consult with your doctor to determine if and when you should start dialysis. The Types of Dialysis:There are two types of dialysis treatment - hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. They both serve the same function and are prescribed on a case-by-case basis based on factors such as the patient’s lifestyle, disease severity, and personal preference.
Since treatment is personalized and based on a case-by-base basis, your nephrologist will explain everything in detail and ensure you understand the process to its full extent. If you have any questions about dialysis, when it is needed, or the different types of dialysis, feel free to contact us to schedule a consultation. Got Questions? We Have AnswersMilwaukee Nephrologists is a network of experts and doctors that are board-certified in Nephrology and have chosen a focus that provides a wide array of sub-specialization. If you or a loved one suffers from, or is at risk for kidney disease, please contact us for an examination.
 Everything You Need to Know About Renal UltrasoundsWhat is a Renal Ultrasound?An ultrasound is a medical diagnostic technique that uses soundwaves to take live images of organs and tissue inside of your body. It is non-invasive (meaning there's no incision), painless, easy, and -- unlike an X-Ray -- it uses no radiation whatsoever, making it completely safe. While one of the most common uses of ultrasound is to observe fetal growth in pregnant women, they can be used to identify problems with specific organs as well. A renal ultrasound, or kidney ultrasound, is simply an easy, non-invasive method to observe kidney function. Why Do You Need a Kidney Ultrasound?In the past, we covered why the kidneys are so important and what they do, but the gist of it is: the kidneys are the body's main filtration system, removing waste, impurities and excess water from the body via urine. They also have a role in hormone production and regulate your body's hydration. Suffice it to say, if a kidney fails, it can be catastrophic to your body. Unnecessary nutrients and other waste is not being filtered out of your bloodstream and will inevitably cause other illnesses and complications. Untreated kidney failure will always result in death. A kidney ultrasound happens when a patient is having health problems consistent with kidney or bladder diseases. In addition to blood and urine tests, a nephrologist (fancy word for kidney doctor) will conduct an ultrasound to determine:
How a Renal Ultrasound Works and What to ExpectHow to Prepare For a Renal UltrasoundGenerally speaking, there isn't any prep work to be done before a renal ultrasound. Depending on the situation, you may be asked not to eat anything for a few hours before the procedure. If bladder problems are also at play, your doctor may also request that you show up to the procedure with a full bladder. However, any specific preparatory measures will be discussed in detail with your doctor well in advance of the procedure. The ProcedureThe renal ultrasound procedure is quite simple. You will be asked to strip down and into a hospital gown. A technician that specializes in ultrasounds, called a sonographer, will then have you lie down on a table and spread a clear gel on your abdomen over the kidneys. This gel helps facilitate sound wave transmission in order to get a clearer picture. The sonographer then moves a handheld gadget called a transducer back and forth on the abdomen. This device emits high-frequency soundwaves into the body, measuring how they bounce back and converting that data into imagery, which can be seen on a screen in the room. A renal ultrasound doesn't take very long -- maybe 20-30 minutes. During this time you may be asked to perform various breathing exercises, lay in different positions, or even to urinate (in the bathroom, of course) so they can take imagery of your bladder before and after it's full. Once this is finished, you can clean off the excess gel, change back into your clothes and go home. The sonographer will then report findings to your doctor and they will analyze the results. Got Questions? We Have Answers.Milwaukee Nephrologists is a network of experts and doctors that are board-certified in Nephrology and have chosen a focus that provides a wide array of sub-specialization. If you or a loved one are in southeast Wisconsin and suffer from kidney disease, we're here to help. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation.
Milwaukee Nephrologists remains open for business at the usual business hours (Mon-Fri, 8:30AM-4:30PM) during the coronavirus pandemic. We have, however, implemented extra precautions in our offices. We now offer both in-person visits to our doctors and telehealth options if you do not want to come into the office. We request that visitors wear a face covering and maintain compliance with the Wisconsin Shelter-In-Place order.
We utilize a software application called Updox for our telehealth visits. When you request a virtual visit, our office staff will send you a link via text message or email. Simply click on the link and you will be taken to a virtual exam room with the ability to see and speak with your physician. You do not need to download or install any special software or app to gain access and it works with any smartphone, laptop or tablet. Your health is our top priority and COVID-19 will not affect our dedication to providing the top quality kidney health care you've come to expect from us. We are still here for you; we will get through this together. For more information on our telehealth option or to schedule a consultation, get in touch with our office near you.  Kidney Disease Diet: The Best Diet for Kidney Failure and DiabetesKidney disease, aka renal failure, is a very serious condition that affects millions of Americans. The kidneys prevent harmful waste from entering the body, produce hormones and regulate water/hydration, so when the kidneys fail to do their job, it introduces a whole host of health concerns and, if left untreated, ultimately result in death. While there are two main options for treatment -- dialysis and organ transplantation -- these alone won't fully restore kidney function. The patient needs to take a proactive role in their own health because it's imperative to make lifestyle changes; the most crucial of which includes dietary adjustments. Kidney patients often find that retaining kidney health has much in common with retaining overall health, with a few differences to keep in mind -- the differences between dialysis and transplantation dietary restrictions. Generally speaking, the doctor will recommend a renal dietitian to plan a long-term, personalized regimen, but here we'll go over the basics of what to expect. Foods To Eat on Dialysis | Dialysis Dietary RecommendationsWhen a patient receives dialysis treatment for renal failure, it's important for them to avoid foods high in salt, potassium and phosphorus while eating more foods rich in high-quality protein.
What are Dietary Recommendations After Kidney Transplantation?Post-transplant kidney diets have a few goals: to promote overall health and wellness, to maintain a healthy weight and to avoid interference with prescribed medicine. Generally speaking, patients spend quite some time on dialysis before they ever receive a kidney transplant, so by then the dialysis diet should be fairly routine. The doctor will inevitably prescribe immunosuppressant drugs after the surgery to make sure your body doesn't reject your new organ. This means that most of your new dietary restrictions will revolve around these medications. For example, grapefruit is a big no-no for post-transplant patients because it renders immunosuppressants completely ineffective. While transplantation diets are typically planned for each individual patient, taking a variety of factors into account, there are a few generalities that apply to the vast majority of kidney transplant patients:
What is the DASH Diet?The most commonly agreed upon and advocated diet when it comes to maintaining good health is the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. It's been endorsed by the National Kidney Foundation, the American Heart Association, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The diet is a renowned treatment because it slows the progression of heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, cancer and hypertension. According to their website:
"The DASH diet eating plan is a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, low fat or nonfat dairy. It also includes mostly whole grains; lean meats, fish and poultry; nuts and beans. It is high fiber and low to moderate in fat. It is a plan that follows US guidelines for sodium content, along with vitamins and minerals." When everything is said and done, diet and regular exercise play the largest roles in personal health at all times, not just during and after kidney disease treatment. Start getting used to checking the labels while shopping at the grocery store. Go for a walk or light jog every day. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating fruits and veggies, and getting regular exercise will go a long way to avoiding kidney failure in the first place. But if you feel that you or a loved one are at risk of kidney disease, schedule a consultation today to get help and take steps to living a healthy life.  ESRD and Kidney Failure Statistics WorldwideChronic kidney disease (CKD), while common in America (over 660,000 have kidney failure), is not unique to the US. It is a human condition and affects millions all over the world. While we tend to focus on issues that hit close to home, it's important to recognize the worldwide community that puts effort into fighting the battle against CKD with us. Here are some of the more notable international statistics about CKD.
The prevalence of ESRD and CKD worldwide is quite staggering. They occupy a large portion of government healthcare budgets and funds in many countries. The international community continues to research and develop treatment methods to try to quell this international health crisis. If you or a loved one are affected by kidney disease, schedule a consultation with local experts for quality care.  The Link Between Kidney Disease and DiabetesAlthough Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) isn't commonly thought to be a massive health crisis, the fact still remains that 10% of American adults (~31 million) have it and about 96% of them are unaware of it. While there are many causes and variables that play into kidney disease's presence, there is one thing that will assuredly lead to CKD: diabetes. Anybody that knows anything about kidney disease has probably heard that there's a link between kidney disease and diabetes -- after all, diabetes is the most common cause of CKD. But what exactly is that connection? Here, we'll discuss the effects that diabetes has on kidney disease. What is Diabetes?Diabetes is a condition that causes the body to become unable to create insulin, which then results in elevated levels of glucose in blood and urine. Glucose is where your body derives its energy by cell absorption -- so if your cells are unable to accept glucose, it remains in your bloodstream, eventually causing numerous health issues, including kidney disease. For more information about diabetes and each type, see our in-depth article on the topic. How Does Diabetes Affect the Kidneys?Kidney disease caused by damage done by diabetes is referred to as diabetic nephropathy. It can be caused by either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, inhibiting your kidneys' ability to filter wastes from the bloodstream. However, an estimated 40% of people with type 2 diabetes will eventually experience diabetic nephropathy, whereas an estimated 30% of type 1 diabetics will suffer from it. Here's how it works: As our body harnesses nutrients gained from eating, the body needs to filter out the waste. The kidneys have capillaries with millions of tiny holes that act as a filter for waste to pass through. Since proteins and other nutrients are too large to pass through those capillaries, they remain in the bloodstream. The waste, on the other hand, gets dispelled as urine from the body. Since diabetes causes the body to stop producing insulin, the element that keeps glucose levels in check, it comes naturally that therefore the body's glucose levels rise. When the body's glucose levels become too high, the excess glucose damages the capillaries, reducing their ability to filter waste from the blood and essentially widening the opening for other nutrients to pass through. This means that the proteins that SHOULD have remained in the bloodstream are now passing through the kidneys' filters along with waste products. Traces of protein in urine is called microalbuminuria and is a key indicator of the early stages of chronic kidney disease. In fact, one of the main ways doctors test for kidney failure is by testing albuminuria levels. What To Do If Diabetes Causes Kidney DamageSince symptoms of kidney damage don't usually surface until stage 3 of kidney disease, it's imperative to get regular testing done if you suffer from any type of diabetes, even before you show symptoms. If you find that your kidneys have sustained damage due to diabetes, there are a few steps you can take to mitigate it:
Complications from diabetes are serious and can be severe, if left untreated. If you have diabetes, it's important to get regular checkups for your kidney health. There's no one universal solution, since treatment plans are formulated on a patient-by-patient basis, so be sure to consult with your doctor or kidney specialist. If you feel that you are at risk for kidney disease, get in touch now to schedule an initial consultation.  The Connection Between Kidney Disease and DementiaIn the past few years, studies have been conducted that have suggested a link between Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and cognitive disorders such as dementia. The findings drew this correlation due to abnormalities in the capillaries, the smallest type of blood cell in the human body. Capillary abnormalities are found in the brain of every patient that dies from dementia; and recent findings have shown that significant, similar capillary damage is found in the kidneys of patients that suffer from albuminuria, a symptom of CKD that is classified by the presence of the protein albumin in urine. Albuminuria is most commonly caused by diabetes and hypertension, which in turn, cause issues with blood flow and blood cell health. This has led professionals to the conclusion that vascular damage in the brain and capillary abnormalities in the kidneys are connected. How Does Kidney Disease Affect the Brain?The human body is a network of functioning organs that all rely on each other to pull their equal weight. We don't often think everything is so intricately interconnected, but it really is. Think of the body as a piece of machinery -- every cog, gear, belt, and piston needs to be in working order for everything to function properly. If one part starts to deteriorate or loses function, other parts are affected or strained to make up for the weight that part used to pull. Since the brain and kidneys are both organs that rely heavily on healthy cardiovascular systems, it comes as no surprise that diabetes and hypertension, causes of disrupted blood flow, can easily and significantly damage the kidneys and the brain. In the brain, untreated hypertension and/or diabetes can lead to white matter lesions that contribute to cognitive decline, while in the kidneys, they lead to strained and weakened blood cells from which it becomes harder to filter waste (you can read more about this in our article on renal hypertension.) What Studies Have Been Done?The Cardiovascular Health Cognition Study tested 2000 people over the age of 65. They took measurements of albumin levels and concluded that 15% of the group had cognitive impairment and 12% had dementia. Those tested that had albuminia were 50% more likely to have dementia than those that do not.
The Journal of the American Society of Nephrology published a study in 2015 that monitored 2,600 people in the Netherlands, which found that those with lower kidney function was strongly associated with low blood flow, risk of stroke and dementia. "Given that kidney disease and (reduced blood flow to) the brain are both possibly reversible, there might be an opportunity to explore how improving these conditions can ultimately reduce one's risk of developing brain disease," Dr. M. Arfan Ikram, an assistant professor of neuroepidemiology at Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands, said in a journal news release. Adam Davey, associate professor of public health in Temple's College of Health Professions and Social Work, published a study in the journal Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation. It came to similar conclusions, he states, "As we get older, our kidney function tends to decrease naturally, so if there's an extra issue involved in renal function like chronic kidney disease, we need to know about it as soon as possible. That is something that needs to be managed, just like you would manage hypertension. Patients are still going to be able to take their medicine on time and without assistance, as well as understand the information that their physician is sharing with them about their disease." Over time, it's no debate that the human body will decrease in efficiency and functionality. But if some parts of our proverbial well-oiled machine start to give, so too do other areas. Having kidney disease will exacerbate other illnesses -- even mental ones. So if you feel that you or a loved one are at risk or are currently suffering from CKD, please see a specialist as soon as possible.  Eating Healthy During Holidays For Kidney HealthAs the holidays quickly approach, it's important that those with kidney disease plan ahead a little bit more meticulously than most, especially if travel is involved. Chances are, your doctor or nutritionist has you on a meticulous diet and dialysis regimen that can't be thrown out of whack during the holiday season. While a "cheat day" here and there might be permissible for most, kidney patients don't really have that luxury, since it can set back treatment and reignite old habits -- and the holidays are no exception. Find A Local Dialysis CenterIf you're traveling during the holidays, remember that it's important to find a local dialysis center near your destination, far in advance. During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, you may find that appointments tend to get booked very quickly, so be sure to reserve your time. Call ahead to find out what type of documentation you'll need to bring with you. We've written extensively on the topic of dialysis during travel, so check out that article for more details. How to Eat Healthy During The HolidaysChances are that you'll be spending time during the holidays with family and/or friends eating, drinking and being merry -- all activities that make it easy to cheat on your nutritionist-prescribed dietary restrictions. But with these helpful tips, you'll be able to make it through the holidays without setting your health back.
 The Importance of Kidney DonationChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a very overlooked and under-recognized affliction that affects approximately 30 million Americans -- the vast majority (96%) of whom don't even know it. In 2013, more than 47,000 Americans died of kidney disease. While this may seem grim, it's important to realize the disease's prevalence and how it works. CKD is an affliction that causes the kidneys to cease functioning. Since the kidneys are responsible for filtering waste out of the bloodstream, it goes without saying that when they stop working, other health complications will arise; and while it's true that if left untreated it will result in fatality, it is a perfectly treatable, not curable, ailment. There are two methods to treat CKD: dialysis or organ transplantation. Dialysis is the most timely, cost-effective way of treating CKD, but again, it's not a cure. Dialysis cleanses the blood via machines that, in effect, replace the kidneys. Even though it's an effective treatment, many people complain that it's time-consuming and inconvenient because the patient needs to visit a dialysis center or hospital an upwards of 3 or 4 times per week, each session lasting a few hours, for the rest of their life. A more permanent, yet complex, solution is transplantation. Kidney transplantation is a one-time surgery that replaces dying or dead kidneys with healthy ones from a donor (living or deceased). With a few lifestyle changes and supplementary medication, the patient can return to normal life. "If it's so effective, why doesn't everybody receive it?", you may be thinking. Well, there are a few complications -- and they're not the easiest to overcome. Healthy Kidney DemandThe number of CKD patients vastly outweighs the number of healthy, available kidneys. It's as simple as that. Patients can wait for years on the waiting list before a compatible donor is found. Currently, an estimated 93,000 patients are on the kidney donor list awaiting transplant. Patients' transplantation viability is measured on a number of factors, the main ones being:
Blood Type MattersWhile it's not the biggest determining factor in locating a viable donor, it definitely matters in terms of quality of life after the transplant. It's possible to receive a donated kidney from the wrong blood type (aka ABO incompatible), but a lot of extra medical care will be required both before and after the procedure since organ rejection will be more likely. However, tissue type also plays a role. When it's determined that a potential donor has compatible blood types, another test is done to compare genetic markers that indicate further compatibility. Because of this, the best way to find kidney donors is within your own family. Siblings have a 25% chance of being an exact match and a 50% chance of being a half match. Live or Deceased Organ Donors -- Which is Better?There are two types of kidney donors in this world: those that are alive and those that are deceased. The majority of live donors are family or friends of the patient, around 7,000 per year, in fact. Meanwhile, around 13,000 kidneys per year are donated from deceased donors. This fact skews the statistics regarding wait time for kidney transplant. Since many of the living donors are family or close friends to the patient, the average wait time for a live donor transplant is around 1 year. However, if the patient needs to receive a transplant from a deceased donor, the wait can take years, if a viable kidney is even found at all.  Organ donation is an uncomfortable topic for some people. It's natural that we don't like to face our own mortality, but the reality is that becoming a donor after death can save many innocent lives at no real cost to you.
If you or a loved one currently or are at risk of chronic kidney disease, schedule a consultation today. The sooner you visit, the greater the chances we can help you navigate the path to a healthy life. |
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February 2021
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