by Mercyhealth
Kidneys may not be the most glamorous organs in your body, but the work they do is essential to your health. They remove waste from the body in the form of urine and filter toxins from the blood. They also help create red blood cells, regulate blood pressure and build strong bones. When kidney problems occur, patients could be at risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure.
Fortunately, kidney disease can be prevented or delayed with early detection and treatment.
Risk factors
Risk factors for chronic kidney disease include those with diabetes, high blood pressure, and previous family history of CKD. Other disorders that pose a risk for CKD are urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and tumors.
Early detection is key
You should ask your doctor about special tests to screen for kidney disease if you have any of the above risk factors.
Your doctor will check for high blood pressure and order laboratory tests to look for protein and creatinine in your urine.
If your results are positive for CKD, your doctor has several tools to pinpoint the cause. An ultrasound or CT scan of your kidneys and urinary tract could show a kidney stone or tumor that can be treated.
Keep your kidneys healthy
Whether or not you have CKD, you can help maintain good kidney health by:
Controlling your blood sugar if you have diabetes
Maintaining your blood pressure as recommended by your doctor
Eating less protein and salt. Work with your health care team to make sure your diet contains healthy amounts of the nutrients you need.
Keeping cholesterol levels in a healthy range
It’s important to see your doctor for regular checkups.
The Mercyhealth Dialysis Center combines a comfortable atmosphere with state-of-the-art medical technology. Our caring and compassionate dialysis team includes board certified nephrologists; specially trained registered nurses; certified hemodialysis technicians; a dietitian who will help you understand any dietary changes you need to make; and a social worker to help with issues like transportation, insurance, medications and more. Located on the Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center campus in Janesville, the new Mercyhealth Kidney Care and Dialysis Center is expected to open summer of 2023.