Chronic Kidney Disease Specialist

What is chronic kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease is a disease characterized by the gradual loss of kidney function over time. Your kidneys serve an important function for your body: They filter toxins and excess fluid from your blood. When you lose this function, waste builds up in your bloodstream. This can be life-threatening without proper treatment.

At Kidney Health Specialists, Dr. Cristea specializes in treating chronic kidney disease. The primary goal of chronic kidney disease treatment is to maintain as much of your kidney function as possible while minimizing future damage. Without adequate disease management, chronic kidney disease can eventually progress to end-stage kidney failure. 

What are the early signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease?

Because chronic kidney disease progresses slowly, you can go years without noticing any symptoms related to your condition. There are many symptoms associated with chronic kidney disease, including:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Urinary issues
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Foot and ankle swelling
• Itching
• Shortness of breath
• Mental fogginess
  
  

If you experience symptoms like these, especially if you find they’re getting more severe with time, Dr. Cristea can evaluate you for chronic kidney disease at Kidney Health Specialists. Often, the appearance of symptoms indicates your kidneys have already developed irreversible damage. 

What are the possible complications of chronic kidney disease?

Since your kidneys filter your blood and your blood circulates throughout your body, chronic kidney disease can have numerous unexpected effects and complications. As a direct result of your disease, you might experience:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Pulmonary edema (fluid in your lungs)
• Bone weakening and increased risk of fractures
• Anemia
• Central nervous system damage leading to seizures
• Pericarditis
• Pregnancy complications
  
  

If complications arise, Dr. Cristea can help you manage them or refer you to other specialists for care. 

What are my options for chronic kidney disease treatment?

Chronic kidney disease doesn’t have a cure, but consistent treatment can control your symptoms and slow the disease’s progression. Usually, the course of treatment depends on the cause of the disease. 

Chronic kidney disease can come from other diseases like type 1 or type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or interstitial nephritis. Treating these underlying causes is often the best way to manage your condition. 

Your treatment plan might involve:

• Blood pressure medications
• Medications for high cholesterol
• Medications for anemia
• Medications to reduce swelling
• A low-protein diet
  
  

If your disease progresses to the point of kidney failure, you’ll either need to undergo regular dialysis treatments or kidney transplant surgery. Dialysis is a way to artificially filter your blood using a machine called a dialyzer. 

Chronic kidney disease can do a lot of damage as it progresses. For expert nephrology care, call Kidney Health Specialists or request an appointment online today.