Kidney Disorders
We each have 2 kidneys about the size of a fist. They are located in the middle of your back, below the rib cage. Inside each kidney are a million tiny structures called nephrons, which filter your blood. They remove waste and toxins, and excess water, which becomes urine. Those who suffer from kidney disease do so because their nephrons are being attacked. Kidney disease also known as chronic kidney failure involves the gradual loss of functioning kidneys. Those who have diabetes and high blood pressure have a higher risk of kidney disease.
Once the kidneys are compromised, an effective treatment plan must be put into place by your physician to avoid any advanced stages of kidney disease. The symptoms associated with kidney disorders can occur slowly and gradually over time and may be overlooked. Some symptoms include:
Some Symptoms Include:
- Vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue and weakness
- Urinating more or less
- Loss of appetite
- Swelling of the feet and ankle
- Chest pain
Here at K Pediatrics & Internal Medicine, we treat kidney disorders by running extensive blood and urine tests that seek out high levels of certain substances in your blood and urine that indicate that your kidneys are not working properly. Those results will indicate at what level your disorder is at and how severe the damage to your kidneys is. Treatments will of course determine based on how severe your condition is. Treatments for kidney disorders include lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, medicines associated with high blood pressure and high cholesterol, dialysis- a treatment that replicates the kidney’s functions for those who have advanced kidney disorders and finally kidney transplant as the most severe choice of treatment to those who’s kidney cannot function at all. Whichever stage you may be in, we are here to work together and get you on the right path to a healthy you!
