Understanding Kidney Disease
March is National Kidney Month!
Kidney disease is very common in the United States. In fact, more than 1 in 7 US adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease.1 Understanding the basics of kidney disease, the symptoms, treatments, and how you can play an active roles in maintaining kidney health is important for overall well-being. Read our blog below to learn more about the disease and the role a vascular surgeon may play in treatment.
What do the kidneys do and why are they important?
We have two kidneys which are responsible for filtering the blood and creating urine. They are essential in maintaining normal ion and fluid levels. Without working kidneys, the body cannot function efficiently. Someone who does not have efficient kidney function has kidney disease, also called CKD. CKD is termed in stages which ranks the severity (e.g. Stage 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 CKD). Stage 5 CKD is defined as kidney failure and means the body’s kidneys have little to no function left. This means that the body needs another method to filter the blood to survive.
Symptoms of kidney disease:
Early kidney disease usually doesn’t have many symptoms, and so it is more important to be aware of the risk factors. Some key risk factors which may make you more susceptible to developing kidney disease includes
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart disease,
- Family history of kidney disease
Symptoms of late-stage CKD may include:
- Low urine output
- Fatigue
- Elevated Creatinine and BUN lab levels
- Swelling/edema
- Shortness of breath
Kidney failure and dialysis:
If your kidneys fail, your body needs another way to filter the blood. This can be done via dialysis or a kidney transplant. There are two different methods for dialysis. One is called hemodialysis and the other is called peritoneal dialysis.
Hemodialysis consists of a machine which pulls blood from your body and filters it through a dialyzer (artificial kidney) and then returns it back to the body. You can either be connected through a central venous catheter, also known as a permcath, or through an arteriovenous fistula or graft (AVF or AVG). Hemodialysis is the most common way to perform dialysis as it can be started quickly in an emergency and can also be performed for long term use through an AVF or AVG.
Peritoneal dialysis consists of filtering the blood through the lining of the abdomen, also called the peritoneum. There are pros to peritoneal dialysis as it can be done at home vs hemodialysis which must be performed at a dialysis center; usually 3 times per week in 3–4-hour sessions. However, not everyone is a candidate for peritoneal dialysis which is why only about 10% of kidney failure patients use this method.
Why teaming with a vascular surgeon early on with late-stage kidney disease is important:
It is important to partner with a skilled and experienced vascular surgeon early on when diagnosed with late-stage CKD or kidney failure to ensure a smooth process with beginning dialysis. Most people who begin hemodialysis start their sessions through a central venous catheter and then transition to an AVF or AVG which is surgically created by a vascular surgeon.
If the process of having an AVF/AVG created is initiated early enough, a catheter may be avoided altogether when it becomes time to begin dialysis. Although central venous catheters allow for quick emergent dialysis, they remain a constant opening to the body and pose a high risk for infection. This is why a swift transition to a fistula or graft creation is imperative. It is key to know that after an AVF/AVG is created, it may take several weeks for it to be deemed ready for use during dialysis. The progress of AVF/AVG maturation is monitored by regular ultrasounds to measure the size and depth of the blood vessel.
Kidney friendly foods:
If you have been diagnosed with kidney disease, you can help the progression of your kidney disease by maintaining a kidney healthy diet.
- Eat foods low in sodium, protein, phosphorus, and potassium.
- Cook meals from scratch instead of eating processed foods; this can cut out a lot of sodium.
- Eat more leafy greens.
- Eat smaller portions of protein and eat more plant protein sources such as beans, nuts and grains instead of animal-based proteins.
- Grill or bake proteins instead of frying.
- Cook with herbs and spices instead of salt.
Follow this link to an NIH page with more tips on how to eat healthy with kidney disease: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/eating-nutrition
If you would like more information about how we care for our dialysis patients, please connect with us via phone: 408-770-4455 or email at frontdesk@hillvascular.com. Our team is always more than happy to assist you with your vascular health needs.
References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2021. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2021.
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