Why Am I Seeing a Kidney Specialist?

Your kidneys have several very important jobs for your body including cleaning your blood, removing excess fluid (urine or “pee”), controlling blood pressure, signaling the bones to produce new blood cells, and regulating hormones important in maintaining bone health.

When your kidneys are sick they begin to gradually lose some of their abilities, which if not treated can cause even more problems! Our team will oversee your kidney function and treat the lost function with appropriate medications and other referrals.

But I feel fine

Your kidneys will continue to make urine and appear to function normally even while they are getting sicker. That is because many of their lost functions are only detected with lab results. Even though you feel fine, it is important to monitor and treat these changes early.

Will I Need Dialysis?

We hope not, and chances are good we can delay dialysis with certain medicines and a healthy diet. If you do need dialysis though, we will direct and support you in a treatment that let's you continue to enjoy those things that are important to you!

About dialysis

What Is Dialysis?

When kidneys and medications are no longer able to maintain your health, dialysis may be suggested as an option.

Dialysis is a medical treatment that helps to cleans your blood by getting rid of toxins and excess water or fluid. It does not fix the kidneys but instead replaces them and must be done regularly the rest of your life or until you receive a kidney transplant.

Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal Dialysis is performed thru a thin catheter that is placed into a space low in your abdomen and extends outside your body as a permanent tube. Dialysis is performed by you or a caregiver in your own home. A bag of fluid is drained into your body thru this catheter and while it is there, it pulls excess fluid and toxins out of your blood. After a few hours, this fluid is drained out of your body by gravity. This fluid is yellow and looks just like urine. These exchanges are performed a few times thru the day or automatically with a machine as you sleep.

Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis is performed thru a surgically created access in your lower or upper arm. This access involves a vessel in your arm which will allow you or a caregiver to put 2 needles into it and run blood from your body thru a filter and then back to your body. This circuit is connected and runs continuously for a few hours (typically 3-4 hours) before the blood is then returned to your body and the needles are removed. This procedure can be performed in your home or at a dialysis clinic 3-5 days weekly.