Kidney disease affects one in nine Americans
One in nine Americans – or approximately 20 million people – have one of several forms of chronic kidney disease according to the National Kidney Foundation. Another 20 million are facing an increased risk.
Kidney disease is any disease or disorder that affects the function of the kidneys. Kidneys filter the blood, removing waste from the body and helping maintain its proper chemical balance. Because the warning signs of kidney disease can remain silent for years, it's important that you get regular checkups.
Kidney conditions treated
Some kidney conditions may require treatment by a nephrologist, a physician on the medical staff who specializes in treating kidney diseases. Some common kidney conditions treated include:
- Kidney failure
- Kidney cancer
- Kidney infections
- Severe or difficult to control hypertension
- Kidney stones
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Diabetic renal disease
- Amyloidosis
- Renal artery stenosis
- Electrolyte disorders
- Obstructive/reflux nephropathy
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Interstitial nephritis
- Acute kidney injury
- Abnormal urinalysis
- Glomerulonephritis
Kidney disease treatments
Baylor Scott & White offers a full range of services to treat kidney disease. Treatments include:
- Dialysis
- Citrate anti-coagulation for a no-heparin dialysis
- Hemofiltration for drug overdose
- Continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration (CAVH) for acute renal failure
- Continuous venovenous hemofiltration for kidney dysfunction accompanied by low blood pressure
- Transplants
- Renal biopsy
- Nutritional changes