Specialized Care & Treatment for:

KIDNEY DISEASE

Chronic kidney disease, also called chronic kidney failure, involves a gradual loss of kidney function. Your kidneys filter wastes and excess fluids from your blood, which are then removed in your urine. Advanced chronic kidney disease can cause dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes to build up in your body.

In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, you might have few signs or symptoms. You might not realize that you have kidney disease until the condition is advanced.

Treatment for chronic kidney disease focuses on slowing the progression of kidney damage, usually by controlling the cause.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension, is when your blood pressure, the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels, is consistently too high.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association divide blood pressure into four general categories.

Normal blood pressure. Blood pressure is 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or lower.
Elevated blood pressure. The top number ranges from 120 to 129 mm Hg and the bottom number is below (not above) 80 mm Hg.
Stage 1 hypertension. The top number ranges from 130 to 139 mm Hg or the bottom number is between 80 to 89 mm Hg.
Stage 2 hypertension. The top number is 140 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number is 90 mm Hg or higher.

KIDNEY STONES

Kidney stones, or renal calculi, are solid masses made of crystals. They can develop anywhere along your urinary tract, which consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Kidney stones can cause severe pain.

Symptoms of kidney stones may not occur until the stone begins to move down the ureters. This severe pain is called renal colic. You may experience pain on one side of your back or abdomen.

In men, pain may radiate to the groin area. The pain of renal colic comes and goes but can be intense.

People with renal colic tend to be restless.

ELECTROLYTE ABNORMALITIES

Electrolytes are minerals that control important physiologic functions of the body. An electrolyte imbalance occurs when your body’s mineral levels are too high or too low. This can negatively affect vital body systems.

Electrolytes must be evenly balanced for your body to function properly. Severe electrolyte imbalances can cause serious problems such as coma, seizures, and cardiac arrest.

DIALYSIS

Home dialysis choices – There are 2 home dialysis options to consider. Both options can be done with or without the support of a trained care partner.

Home peritoneal dialysis (PD)

Your blood is filtered naturally using many tiny blood vessels in the lining of your abdomen—also called the peritoneum.

Key considerations:

• There are no needles and your blood never leaves your body.
• You can do PD on your own, without assistance.
• PD may help preserve residual kidney function.
• You can do PD almost anywhere—at work, at home, and while traveling.
• Home PD also gives you all the benefits listed for home HD.

Home hemodialysis (HD)

You are connected to an artificial kidney (dialyzer) via a needle in your access site.

Key considerations:

• You can choose how to time your treatments, so you have more flexibility for social activities, work, hobbies, or school.

• You save travel time and transportation costs.
• You may have more freedom with your diet if you’re prescribed more frequent treatments.
• A nurse is available 24/7 by phone if you need assistance.

Some people prefer to go to an In Center dialysis center for treatment because:

• Treatment is administered by trained renal professionals
• They enjoy being around and interacting with fellow dialysis patients

Dialysis is only three times a week; so there are four free days. With in-center hemodialysis once the person arrives at the dialysis center the health care team will take care of all aspects of treatment. First, your access area will be washed by a patient care technician; then you will be weighed and escorted to your dialysis chair. Your blood pressure will be taken both standing and sitting and a dialysis nurse will check your vitals and connect you to the dialysis machine.

The typical dialysis session is usually four hours and during that time your blood pressure will be taken and the dialysis machine will be monitored. You are free to read, watch television, talk to fellow patients and care team members, sleep or any activity you can do from the dialysis chair.

Once the dialysis treatment time is up, you will be disconnected from the dialysis machine and your vital signs will be recorded again