Common Kidney Conditions

At Northeast Ohio Nephrology Associates, our highly skilled team of nephrology doctors is happy to offer an array of services for treating various kidney conditions. We can help to develop personalized treatment plans using cutting-edge therapies and practical life changes paired with education and patient support to get your kidney health back on track.

What kidney issues commonly require the assistance of kidney specialists? Please see our informative list below. This list is for information purposes only, to see whether or not our team can assist with your kidney condition please reach out to us for more information.

Chronic Kidney Disease

This is more or less a generic term for a host of diseases and disorders of the kidneys. While they all can have different root causes, what they have in common is that they make it difficult for the kidneys to perform their basic functions. Conditions may include:

• Chronic Renal Disease: a slow loss of kidney function, often caused by diabetes and/or high blood pressure; treatment aims to slow progression of the damage

• End-Stage Renal Disease: dangerous levels of waste, fluid, and electrolytes build up in a patient’s system that must be removed either via dialysis or a kidney transplant

• Acute Renal Disease: kidneys stop working suddenly, whether from direct kidney damage as a result of an accident, because other bodily systems that impact the kidneys are not working correctly, or because blood flow is restricted; treatment typically involves dialysis or a kidney transplant

• Polycystic Kidney Disease: this is a genetic condition in which a patient has cysts form in their kidneys, enlarging and damaging them, potentially causing kidney failure; treatments aim to manage symptoms, remove cysts, or offer support in the case of renal failure

• Glomerulonephritis: the glomerulus filter is contained within the kidney’s nephrons and is vital to proper kidney function; inflammation or other sources of damage can lead to kidney problems and even kidney failure that is treated via understanding the root cause of the problem and using prescribed dietary changes and medications

• Nephrotic Syndrome: a condition in which a patient’s body passes too much protein through the urine, damaging parts of the kidney and preventing proper function; treatment can include various therapies, medications, practical lifestyle changes, and more

Hypertension

Also known as high blood pressure, hypertension is a health condition that results in excessive force of the blood pushing against the body’s artery walls. This is a disease that can develop slowly and does not have very obvious, external symptoms, which often leads to delayed treatment or an untreated condition, which can in turn lead to kidney disease. Kidney health is closely related to circulatory health, since waste filtration includes both systems. Hypertension can lead to damage that can narrow arteries around the kidneys. If kidneys are not able to receive the amount the blood flow necessary to perform their functions, kidney failure is often the result. Nephrology doctors can help patients to use practical lifestyle and diet changes along with prescribed medications to manage hypertension and preserve kidney health.

Electrolyte Disorders

Sodium, calcium, and potassium are commonly known electrolytes, minerals that are essential to health and proper physical functioning as they help to regulate fluid levels and vital chemical reactions within the body. They are typically obtained through food and drink, and excess is rare. However, patients with impaired or compromised kidney function can suffer from improper levels of electrolytes within their systems. High levels of potassium (hyperkalemia) may not be able to be properly filtered, and low levels of sodium (hyponatremia) resulting from excess fluid levels can both threaten proper bodily functioning and can also have a direct effect on other vital organs, like the heart. Electrolyte disorders can result from kidney disease, dehydration, certain medications, diabetes, and certain supplements or dietary choices. Nephrology doctors will find the underlying cause and then work to find both short-term and long-term treatment options for the patient.

Kidney Stones

Kidneys help to filter excess minerals and salts that are then dissolved and expelled from the body. However, if there is not enough liquid present, these substances can crystallize into what are known as kidney stones. Whether large or very small, kidney stones are painful to pass and can affect various parts of the urinary tract. Kidney stones can be composed of calcium, uric acid, and less commonly, cystine or struvite. Dehydration, whether due to not drinking enough water daily or as a result of environmental, occupational, or related health issues is the most common cause of kidney stones.

Kidney Transplant

Patients who have lost function of both kidneys can receive a transplant of a healthy kidney from a donor. The new kidney can then resume function, filtering waste from the blood, managing fluid and mineral levels, and more. Only one fully functioning kidney is required to maintain health. A kidney transplant is the only way for a patient to cure end-stage renal disease. Otherwise, a patient will need to undergo dialysis into the indefinite future. Kidney transplants can be done early, or preemptively, when it is clear that renal failure will be the eventual outcome of their condition. Our team of kidney specialists works closely with local transplant physicians to provide patients with the best chances of a successful procedure and support to maintain the health of the transplanted kidney.

Renal Failure

This is the eventual result of all chronic kidney conditions, however renal failure can also be acute, or sudden. Hospitalized or critically ill patients can be at risk for acute renal failure, whether due to dehydration, toxin exposure, blood flow restriction, or a urinary tract obstruction. There are many potential causes for both acute and chronic renal failure, many of which have been mentioned above. Treatment includes diagnosing the underlying cause, addressing that cause if possible, and then determining whether kidney function can be restored. If it cannot be, renal failure treatment can include dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Rely On Northeast Ohio Nephrology Associates

Properly functioning kidneys are vital to good health and prevention of future disease. If you are a patient who is suffering from a kidney condition and would like to pursue a personalized treatment plan using cutting-edge therapies with our skilled team of nephrology doctors, now is the time to contact us and learn more about the services we offer. At Northeast Ohio Nephrology Associates, we are here to help and are committed to your kidney health.