Chronic Kidney Disease

Treatment for Kidney Failure | PRINE Health

Several different factors can hurt your kidney health. Whether it’s linked to a medication you regularly take, a chronic disease, or environmental pollutants these can eventually lead to another serious condition; kidney failure. This condition is due to your kidney’s inability to continue sufficiently filtering waste from your blood. Typically, kidney failure is one of the results of chronic kidney disease. Seeking treatment for CKD and kidney failure should never be postponed. If you or someone you know is suffering, visit a nephrologist in Great Neck at PRINE for help!

 

What are the symptoms of kidney failure?

Some people who have kidney failure experience very few symptoms. Some people don’t experience any. Some of the possible symptoms are:

  • Reduced amount of urination
  • Leg, ankle, and feet swelling from retention of fluids
  • Shortness of breath
  • Exhaustion
  • Nausea
  • Confusion
  • Pain in chest
  • Seizures
  • Coma

Every patient experiences different symptoms, depending on their stage and the severity of their CKD.

 

Types of kidney failure

There are different ways that the kidney may stop functioning and there are different causes behind it. The different types of kidney failure include:

  • Acute prerenal kidney failure– This is caused by insufficient blood flow to the kidneys. This can be cured once your nephrologist in Great Neck determines why there is a decrease in blood flow
  • Acute intrinsic kidney failure– This can be caused by direct trauma to the kidneys, lack of oxygen to the kidneys, or from toxins.
  • Chronic prerenal kidney failure– If there is a lack of blood flow to the kidneys, they begin to shrink and can no longer function properly
  • Chronic intrinsic kidney failure– When there is long-term kidney damage due to intrinsic kidney disease, this can occur.
  • Chronic post-renal kidney failure– If there is something blocking the urinary tract, this prevents urination, which increases pressure and causes kidney damage.

 

Dialysis

This is a treatment method in which your blood is filtered and purified through a machine that acts as your kidney. Dialysis removes waste, salt, and extra water so they do not build up in your body. It also allows you to maintain a healthy level of chemicals in your blood, such as potassium, sodium, and bicarbonate. Dialysis is typically done in a hospital, but it also can be done in your home. Depending on your condition, your nephrologist in Great Neck will decide which treatment method works best for you! There are two different types of dialysis:

  • Hemodialysis– In this method, an artificial kidney removes waste and excess chemicals from your blood by your nephrologist in Great Neck to create an entrance to the blood vessels so the blood can get to the artificial kidney. This can be done three times a week for approximately four hours.
  • Peritoneal– This method cleans the blood inside your body. A catheter is placed into your abdomen to make an entrance. Your peritoneal cavity also referred to as your abdominal area, is filled with dialysate.

 

Transplant

This is another treatment method used to treat kidney failure. Your nephrologist in Great Neck will be able to tell you if you qualify for this surgery. The wait time for a donor can be long unless you have a living donor. This process involves taking immunosuppressive drugs so your body does not reject the new kidney.

If you want to know which treatment option is best for you, contact a nephrologist in Great Neck at PRINE Health!

Benefits Of Visiting A Nutritionist For CKD

The kidneys are responsible for filtering extra water and waste out of the blood to make urine. They also make hormones that help regulate blood pressure, make red blood cells, and maintain strength in your bones! When your kidneys are damaged and cannot properly filter blood, this is referred to as chronic kidney disease (CKD). The damage causes waste to fill up the body, along with many other health problems. Over 30 million people have chronic kidney disease in the United States. Here at PRINE Health, our kidney specialists in Great Neck specialize in conditions such as CKD.

 

Diet and Chronic Kidney Disease

Maintaining a healthy diet should always be a top priority. Your diet has a major impact on your body and how it functions. When it comes to CKD, you have to be cautious of what you can and cannot eat because some foods that are typically part of your daily diet may have a negative impact when it comes to CKD. Three major components can slow down the progression of your chronic kidney disease:

  • Maintaining a healthy blood pressure- this can be done by decreasing your daily sodium intake
  • Reducing the amount of protein you consume, depending on how much you usually consume
  • Monitoring and taking care of your diabetes

It can be hard to analyze the nutritional value of different foods and the science behind it all to ensure you are on the right track to a proper CKD diet. Visiting a nutritionist can be beneficial in making sure you are getting all of the nutrients that will keep your kidneys healthy.

 

What to eat

After visiting your kidney specialist in Great Neck, you may want to start figuring out which foods will keep your kidneys healthy! Some of those foods include:

  • Cabbage
  • Red bell peppers
  • Garlic
  • Arugula
  • Berries
  • Olive oil
  • Egg whites

 

What not to eat

What you can and cannot eat depends on which stage of kidney disease you are on. In the earlier stages, you may have different dietary restrictions than someone who has end-stage renal disease. Earlier stages may require a lower protein intake, whereas those with end-stage renal disease need an increased protein intake. Foods that should be avoided when on a renal diet are:

  • Avocados
  • Canned food
  • Alcohol
  • Red Meat
  • Bananas
  • Dairy
  • Egg yolks

Overall, it is important to reduce your potassium, phosphorus, and sodium intake. If you are unsure of what foods will have a major impact on your stage of CKD, ask your kidney specialist in Great Neck.

 

Why Visit a Nutritionist for CKD Care?

Nutritionists, along with your kidney specialist in Great Neck, can help keep your kidneys healthy and slow down the progression of your CKD. In general, there are many benefits to seeing a nutritionist, such as:

  • Getting a personalized plan
  • Preventing diseases
  • Learning to live a healthier lifestyle
  • Learning new recipes and skills
  • Receiving constant motivation and support

When it comes to eating, it can be difficult to find the support you need other than from your kidney specialist in Great Neck. A nutritionist not only provides more support, but they also can improve your diet without you having to do all that research on what will work best for you and your kidneys. Even after all that research, it can be difficult to find new and exciting recipes to make eating seem less tedious. Sure, you found out that red bell peppers are good for your CKD, but how many recipes can you make with that? Your nutritionist will think for you, all you have to do is cook it!

Figuring out a diet for your chronic kidney disease can be overwhelming. While visiting your kidney specialist in Great Neck at PRINE Health, ask them about the benefits of visiting a nutritionist to increase the quality of your life and diet.

Revolutionizing Kidney Care

PRINE Health is a newly developed kidney care group that is emphasizing revolutionizing the kidney care industry. We’re an independent nephrology-based SUPERGROUP infused with Primary Care, Care Management, and cutting-edge technology. Supported by a physician-owned managerial service organization (MSO), PRINE Health is providing value-oriented population health and traditional practice management services. Our team is focused on bringing together the elite members of the nephrology industry and kidney specialists in Long Island. For information on how you can contact PRINE Health, please visit our website here. Otherwise, please continue reading this article for more information on the group and our primary goals for the foreseeable future.

 

Our Vision for Exceptional Kidney Care

Revolutionizing the kidney care industry, PRINE is looking to create innovative treatment plans through a personalized, caregiving approach. By uniting the experts in the field, we’re looking to collectively bring together an association of patients and physicians who can help change the kidney care world for the better.

Our goals as an organization include the following:

  • Improve the quality of kidney care and give patients innovative treatment methods.
  • Give easy access to care by boosting the relationship between patient and physician. Thus, giving quality satisfaction for patient care.
  • Eliminate waste, redundancies, and inefficiencies.
  • Overall, makes kidney care a much more enjoyable experience; for the physician, care partners, and the patient!

In an ever-changing healthcare industry, the emphasis on kidney care has been somewhat lacking for several years. However, PRINE Health is looking to change this notion. Our kidney specialists in Long Island are able to work together as a collaboration; benefiting the local community and many more patients. The unfortunate truth is those complications such as chronic kidney disease have increased dramatically, as one in seven adults in the United States suffers from this condition. Our nephrology-based SUPERGROUP aims to dramatically lower this number, with the assistance of our partners and collaborators. Emphatic care management is essential for the success of our movement.

If you’re interested in joining our movement or have been searching for a kidney specialist in Long Island, contact PRINE Health today for further assistance.

Summary

Natural Remedies For Kidney Stones

Kidney stones, also known as renal lithiasis or nephrolithiasis, are formed inside of your kidneys and consist of salt and minerals. They can have several different causes, but normally begin to form when your urine becomes concentrated. When this occurs the minerals will begin to crystallize and start sticking together, forming the kidney stone. While passing a kidney stone can be severely painful, it shouldn’t cause too much damage as long as you seek early medical attention. You could also seek out some home remedies that may help treat your kidney stones or prevent it from recurring in the future.

It is important to keep in mind that if left untreated, you may need to seek the help of a kidney specialist in Freeport in regard to possible surgery!

 

Symptoms:

Kidney stones can go undetected until they begin to move around your ureter. The part of your body that connects your kidneys to the bladder. Once it begins moving around you may feel one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Pain that is located in your side and back
  • Radiating pain from your abdomen to your groin
  • Fluctuating pain throughout the day
  • Experiencing pain when using the bathroom
  • Discolored urine
    • Pink, red, brown
  • Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
  • Very frequent urination
  • Nausea/Vomiting
  • Urinating in small amounts
  • Fever or Chills
    • Only if there is an infection

 

Treatment for Kidney Stones:

Fortunately, prior to seeing a kidney specialist in Freeport, there are a few home remedies that you can try to help reduce your risk of kidney stones:

  • Always stay hydrated
  • Increase your intake of Citric Acid
    • By doing this you can prevent stone formation and/or stone enlargement
  • Try not to eat foods high in Oxalates
    • Oxalates can bind calcium and other minerals that form kidney stones
  • Try not to take high dosages of vitamin C
    • This is specifically for Vitamin C supplements
  • Make sure you’re getting enough Calcium
  • Reduce your salt intake
  • Add more Magnesium to your diet

 

When is it time to contact a kidney specialist in Freeport?

While it is never a bad thing to try out natural remedies, it is important to keep in mind that you might not always be able to treat kidney stones on your own. If you begin to experience severe pain in your lower abdomen or genitals, it is time to seek out the help of a doctor. In a not-too-serious case, a doctor may just inform you that you need fluid therapy and pain medications. On the other hand, if your kidney stones get stuck in your urinary tract or begin to cause damage, a doctor may need to schedule surgery as soon as possible.

If you or someone you know is suffering from Kidney Stones and would like to try out some natural treatments, make sure to consult with a doctor first! At PRINEhealth, we have a network of professional kidney specialists in Freeport, that can help guide you in the right direction when it comes to kidney stones. Contact us today!

3 Warning Signs That You May Be Experiencing Kidney Failure

Your kidneys are vital to your health. It is crucial that you watch for early warning signs of issues or problems you may be experiencing that could lead to kidney failure.

 

What Do The Kidneys Do In The Body?

The primary function of your kidneys is to filter out the toxins built up in your body. If your kidneys begin to cease to function properly, it can lead to a plethora of health problems. It can ultimately lead to the need for dialysis.

Kidney function is measured by how well the kidneys remove toxins from the blood by using a measurement called the Glomerular Filtration Rate, or GFR. There are five stages of kidney functioning. Stage 1 denotes normal or high-functioning kidneys, whereas stage 5 is end-stage renal (kidney) failure. Each subsequent stage from 2 through 4 indicates a percentage of the decline in GFR.

It is important to know that the initial decline of kidney functions, or renal disease, is often silent. The best way to prevent kidney injury is to moderate changes in your overall health and always consult with a doctor if anything seems out of the norm.

Here are three signs that could indicate that you are beginning to experience a decline in kidney function.

The First Signs of Kidney Failure

1. Dizziness and Fatigue

One of the first possible signs of weakening kidneys is the experience of overall weakness in yourself and your overall health. This can include feelings of dizziness or fatigue due to a build-up of toxins in the blood. Oddly enough, another fatiguing disorder, anemia, can be linked to kidney problems. If you find that you are unusually tired, don’t panic. This can also be caused by stress, overwork, or other typical day-to-day issues. But if you are getting enough rest and still feel more fatigued than normal, especially if you are finding yourself dizzy, see your physician immediately. Tell her or him what you are experiencing and ask that he refer you to a Kidney Specialist (Nephrologist) to be on the safe side. It’s best if your General Practitioner (GP) works with a Kidney Specialist on a regular basis, so you get the best overall care.

 

2. Swelling (Edema)

Though there are several causes of swelling, if you are swelling in your legs, ankles, wrist, or even around your eyes, this could be a sign that your kidneys are not functioning properly. This is often caused by electrolyte or other nutritional abnormalities that affect the proper filtration capacity of the kidneys. Lower extremity swelling can be a sign of heart disease, kidney disease, or other forms of poor circulation.

 

3. Changes in urination

A third possible sign of beginning kidney injury is a change in urination. Things like changes in the amount of urine, foaming, pale or dark urine, or red coloring could be a warning sign that you may be experiencing a problem. Whether or not the problem is simply dehydration or the beginning of severe kidney dysfunction, your doctor or specialist in the field can determine the issues.
With the exception of some acute (or immediate) problems, including seeing blood in the urine or an inability to urinate, or such isolated conditions in pregnancy like pre-eclampsia, kidney failure often moves through the five stages slowly. Noticing changes, including these three signs, can alert you and your doctor of potential problems early where intervention can often slow or halt progression. Always remember to drink plenty of water to aid in the filtration process and contact your doctor if you begin to experience any of these signs.

If you are experiencing more than one of these symptoms, make an appointment with your GP and talk about your next best steps. You mustn’t wait to get this checked out. The earlier renal failure is detected the better the chances of staving off major problems. No one wants to get to the point where dialysis is needed. Not all GPs work hand in hand with doctors who understand the issues of kidney problems the way a doctor who specializes in the health of one’s kidneys does. Be sure that your doctors work together and communicate with you about your options and the best choices you can make. If you are experiencing renal failure, there will be changes to your diet and your lifestyle that must be made. You will need to talk to both your GP and your Nephrologist to create a best-practice plan for your health.

At PRINE Health, we have both general practitioners and Nephrologists on staff who will work together to create the best plan for you. Please contact us if you would like more information.

Book an Appointment