Long Island Kidney and Hypertension Care

Chronic kidney disease is a common condition that involves malfunction of the kidneys, which filter the blood and keep them free of waste and other substances. This condition can affect anyone, but is more common in those with diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney disease, although it may also be caused by infections or urinary blockages. If left untreated, it may lead to kidney failure. Patients with CKD may not notice any symptoms during the early stages of this condition, although those in more advanced stages may experience: Fatigue Difficulty concentrating Lack of appetite Muscle cramping Dry, itchy skin Frequent urination Once CKD is diagnosed it is important to determine the level of kidney function. The National Kidney Foundation has identified 6 stages of chronic kidney disease. Each stage represents a level of kidney function as defined by a creatinine clearance: Stage 1 CrCl > 90 Stage 2 CrCl 60-89 Stage 3 CrCl 30-59 Stage 4 CrCl 15-29 Stage 5 CrCl <15 Stage 6 End Stage Renal Disease Initial treatment for CKD involves managing the underlying condition which will usually improve kidney function as a result. It is important for patients to eat a healthy, balanced diet and exercise regularly, as well as remain hydrated and avoid smoking. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may prescribe medication for high blood pressure, dialysis or kidney transplant to treat your condition and maintain or improve the function of the kidneys.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the pressure of the blood flowing against the blood vessel walls is above the normal range. It is written in two sets of numbers, for example, 120/70. The first number is the systolic reading, which is the pressure when the heart is beating. The second number is the diastolic number, the pressure when the heart is resting. High blood pressure occurs when the systolic reading is elevated above 140 or higher and/or the diastolic reading is 90 or above. The causes of high blood pressure are not exactly known. It cannot be cured but it can be controlled with changes to your life and medicine prescribed by your doctor. Almost 1 out of 4 Americans have high blood pressure and most of them don't know that they have it. High blood pressure may be present without any signs. If left untreated, this condition can lead to heart failure, kidney failure, a heart attack or stroke. For most patients, high blood pressure can be managed through lifestyle changes such as losing weight, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and limiting alcohol intake. Medications may be prescribed as well to help lower blood pressure.

Dialysis is a common procedure performed to treat acute or chronic kidney failure by removing waste and fluid from the blood, a task usually performed by the kidneys. Healthy kidneys effectively remove excess fluid, minerals and waste from the blood to keep it clean and prevent disease. There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis, which is most common and uses a special filter to purify the blood; and peritoneal dialysis, which places a tube in the stomach and special membrane to filter blood. During the hemodialysis procedure, the blood flows slowly through a special filter that removes waste and fluid, before the clean blood is returned to the body. This helps control high blood pressure and balances the levels of chemicals within the body, such as potassium and sodium. The blood will be tested about once a month to make sure the dialysis treatments are working effectively to remove waste from the blood. Hemodialysis treatment is usually administered three times a week for three to five hours. During treatment, patients can read, watch TV, sleep or perform other activities. It is important for patients to adjust their schedule to accommodate these lengthy treatment sessions. Most patients choose to have their treatments performed at the same time in order to develop a regular schedule.

Anemia is a condition that occurs when the red blood cell count or hemoglobin is lower than normal. The hemoglobin may be low due to a decrease in production of red blood cells or a loss of blood. There are several different types of anemia, characterized by the cause of the low blood cell counts. These causes can include: Iron deficiency Vitamin deficiency Associated with a chronic disease Autoimmune diseases Bone marrow disease Genetics (hereditary) Anemia is much more common in women, especially pregnant women. It also occurs frequently in older people, people with poor diets and those with diseases that can cause anemia. The main symptom of anemia is fatigue. Other common symptoms include weakness, paleness, fast or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness or headache. Symptoms may start out mild but worsen as the condition progresses. A physical exam and series of blood tests, including a complete blood count, can confirm anemia. Treatment depends on the cause of the condition, but can include iron and vitamin supplements, blood transfusions, etc. While anemia can be a serious condition, it is often treatable with proper care. Your doctor can recommend the best treatment option for you.

Kidney transplant involves replacing a damaged kidney that no longer functions properly with a healthy donor kidney in order to restore proper waste management and blood filtering within the body. This procedure is most often performed on patients with kidney failure or advanced stages of kidney disease after other treatments such as medication and dialysis have not produced successful results. This procedure is performed after patients are eligible to receive a kidney from a suitable match. It is important for patients to undergo a thorough physical evaluation prior to surgery to determine whether or not they are healthy enough to undergo this procedure. Kidney transplant is performed under general anesthesia and requires a stay in the hospital for several days in order to monitor the patient for any potential complications. After a successful kidney transplant, patients will no longer need to undergo dialysis treatments, but will likely need to take medication to suppress the immune system and prevent the body from rejecting the new kidney. Additional medications may also be needed to reduce the risk of infection. Your doctor will provide ongoing care to ensure that kidney transplant patients maintain a healthy quality of life after surgery.

While healthy kidneys efficiently filter waste out of the blood and maintain a proper balance of chemicals and water within the body, patients with certain kidney conditions may experience a buildup of fluid in the blood due to kidney malfunction. As fluid accumulates, patients may experience a condition known as edema, which is a swelling that tends to occur in the feet and legs, although it can occur nearly anywhere in the body. Patients with edema may experience pain, bloating and tightness in the affected area, which tends to increase throughout the day. Fluid buildup may also result in a decrease in urine production or urine that appears frothy due to the excess protein. Treatment for fluid buildup and edema aims to reduce the amount of protein that is filtered out of the blood and into the urine in order to relieve fluid retention and subsequent swelling. This can be done by restricting salt in the diet and through medications called diuretics.

Electrolytes are ionized materials found naturally in the body that help balance pH levels, as each molecule carries either a positive or negative charge. Common electrolytes include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride and more, which also help regulate the function of many bodily systems. Imbalanced electrolyte levels may develop as a result of impaired kidney function and can cause troubling symptoms. Healthy kidneys regulate these substances and restrict significant fluctuations. However, when the kidneys do not function properly, an imbalance may occur as a result of poor diet, disease, dehydration or other factors. Symptoms of these conditions can vary depending on the type and severity of the disorder, but often include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, nausea, confusion and more. Treatment for electrolyte disorders depends on the type and underlying cause of the condition, but may include dietary changes, stopping certain medications or electrolyte replacement therapy, which can be administered either orally or intravenously. Hemodialysis may also be used to treat these conditions and reduce potassium levels in patients with impaired kidney function.

Proteinuria involves an abnormal amount of protein in the urine which tends to occur in patients with diabetes, hypertension or a family history of proteinuria. While waste products are filtered out of the blood to leave the body through the urine, protein is essential in protecting the body against infection and ensuring proper fluid circulation. When protein is found in the urine, it may be a sign of chronic kidney disease. Early stages of proteinuria do not often produce any symptoms, but patients with large amounts of protein may notice swelling in the hands, feet and face, or urine that appears foamy. Because of its potential implications and lack of symptoms, patients at risk for kidney disease should be tested on a regular basis. This condition can be diagnosed through a simple urine test that compares the amount of albumin in the urine with the amount of creatinine to determine if these levels are off balance. Laboratory testing is the only way to detect excessive protein before extensive kidney damage has occurred. Treatment for proteinuria involves managing blood sugar and blood pressure levels, which can be done through a healthy diet, regular exercise and prescribed medication for diabetes and high blood pressure. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to control swelling of the kidneys that may lead to proteinuria. Treatment may be required over a long period of time, depending on the severity of each patient's individual condition.

Since kidney disease does not often produce symptoms in its early stages, many patients may be experiencing deteriorating kidney function without being aware of any problems. Regular kidney function evaluations can detect these conditions in their earliest stages and help slow the progression of damage through advanced prevention and treatment techniques. There are several different tests that your doctor may perform in order to detect problems or abnormalities with kidney function, which are especially effective in patients who have not yet experienced any symptoms. In many cases, kidney disease is first discovered during a routine blood or urine test. Other patients who may be at a higher risk for developing kidney disease, including those with high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of kidney conditions, may be tested more frequently. To evaluate kidney function, your doctor will perform a physical examination as well as comprehensive blood and urine testing. Urine testing involves checking protein or albumin levels, while blood testing monitors the amount of urea nitrogen. Blood pressure testing is also performed, as high blood pressure is one of the leading causes of kidney disease. Based on the results of each patient's evaluation, your doctor will provide you with a customized treatment plan.