15 June 2018
 Categories: Health & Medical , Blog

The kidneys help remove waste from the body, so when they aren't working properly, you can face serious consequences. Kidney disease is a degenerative disease that affects your kidneys' ability to function properly. If you've experienced any of the signs of kidney disease, such as swelling of the feet, you should contact your doctor to find out if you need to start chronic kidney disease treatment. These three facts regarding managing kidney disease will help you know what to expect.

Treatment and Management Should Begin Immediately

Treating kidney disease must begin immediately because kidney disease is progressive. This means that it slowly destroys your kidneys, and in many cases, the damage cannot be reversed. To start treatment, your doctor must first determine the underlying cause. Some causes are easier to spot, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. In most cases, you'll already know you have the condition or were at risk. If not, your doctor can easily test for these issues.

Other causes, however, are not as easy to spot. You may have glomerulonephritis or interstitial nephritis, which are both inflammation in the kidney. Other potential causes include polycystic kidney disease, vesicoureteral reflux, and many others. Before your kidneys can begin to heal, your doctor and you must work together to treat or manage any of these underlying issues. Even then, treatment may only help to slow the progression and manage the symptoms.  

Associated Complications Must Be Treated

Kidney disease can also cause a lot of complications that can actually put more strain on your kidney and overall body. These need to be managed or treated to help slow the progression of the disease and make you feel more comfortable. One common complication is actually a risk factor: high blood pressure. So even if high blood pressure didn't cause kidney disease, kidney disease may cause you to develop high blood pressure. As a result, your doctor may prescribe medications to help control blood pressure.

Another common side effect of kidney disease is fluid retention. Your body may not be able to circulate fluids properly, causing your arms and legs to swell. This can be uncomfortable or painful and make moving difficult. However, it can also lead to fluid in the lungs. To help your body flush fluids from your body, your doctor may prescribe a diuretic.

You May Ultimately Need a Transplant

If your kidney disease is left untreated or managed, it may progress into the final stages. At this point, you'll need dialysis or a transplant. Dialysis won't cure your kidney. Instead, it works in place of your kidney to process waste and fluids. If you undergo dialysis, it may be hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. It involves cleaning your blood by sending it through an external filter. The cleaned blood is then returned to you. Peritoneal dialysis cleans your blood inside your body with a special fluid that is put into your stomach to remove waste.

Another treatment option for advanced kidney disease is a kidney transplant. Typically, candidates for kidney transplant are already on dialysis, and both of their kidneys are affected. Unless you have a family member or friend who's kidney is a perfect match, you may have to wait a long time before an available donor becomes available. Once you recover, you won't need dialysis anymore, but you will need to take medication to prevent your body from rejecting the new kidney.

If you have been suffering the symptoms of kidney disease, you should see your doctor to determine if the diagnosis is correct. Treatment should begin quickly to prevent serious complications. For more information about kidney disease or if you want to get tested, contact your doctor today.