Managing chronic kidney disease can be challenging. You may fail to notice the signs and symptoms and only realize it when it is late. Suppose you are on the look out for a certified specialist who offers efficient care experience to patients with Chronic Kidney Disease, Thomas Nguyen M.D., M.S. is your go to specialist. He will create an individualized plan for chronic kidney management that helps you improve your quality of life by treating your symptoms. The doctor works alongside a caring team that comprehensively evaluates your health and goal to help come up with the best-personalized treatment plan.

What is chronic kidney disease?

It involves gradually losing kidney function. Your body has two kidneys that filter excess fluids and water from the blood, passing them as urine. Therefore, chronic kidney disease may lead to fluids, waste, and electrolytes building up in the body. If the condition is not treated early, it may progress to kidney failure, fatal without dialysis or a transplant.

What are the symptoms of chronic kidney disease?

You may develop signs and symptoms that continue over time as the damage to your kidney progresses. It can cause the following symptoms depending on the severity of the condition, and they may be:

•                     Nausea and vomiting
•                     Frequent or less urination
•                     Muscle cramps
•                     Feet and ankles swelling
•                     Fatigue

 You may also experience signs and symptoms that may be due to other underlying conditions. And because the kidney can make up for lost function, you may fail to develop any signs and symptoms until the damage is irreversible. But early detection may prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure.

How can you lower the risk of kidney disease?

You may be able to reduce your risk of developing kidney disease by:

•                     Following prescriptions and instructions on OTC medications
•                     Maintaining a healthy weight
•                     Avoid smoking to reduce the worsening of kidney disease

How can your doctor treat kidney disease?

The first procedure your doctor will perform is reviewing your medical history and asking questions, then carrying out tests to confirm a correct diagnosis. There are some types of kidney disease your doctor can treat; however, chronic kidney disease has no cure. Your treatment may include measures to help manage symptoms, thus slowing the progression of the disease. The treatment for end-stage kidney disease may include:

•                     Kidney transplant

This involves surgery to take out the damaged kidneys and replace them with healthy kidneys from a donor who can either be deceased or living. Your doctor will give you medications after the surgery so that your body will not reject the new kidney.

•                     Dialysis

This involves the artificial removal of waste and excess fluid from the blood when your kidneys cannot perform the function. Your doctor can either use hemodialysis, a machine that filters the excess fluids or waste from your blood, or peritoneal dialysis, which involves inserting a thin tube into your abdomen to absorb excess fluid and waste.

Call Nguyen Medical Group or make an online appointment to find out more about chronic kidney disease.