Kidney Disease Treatments

Recently Answered

• QHow is Alport syndrome treated?

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  A National Kidney Foundation answered

  There is no specific treatment for Alport syndrome. The same treatments that are used for people with high blood pressure and other symptoms of kidney disease are used for people with Alport syndrome. Kidney transplantation is usually very successful in people with Alport syndrome and is the best treatment when end-stage kidney failure is approaching.
  
  Medical researchers are very interested in understanding why people with Alport syndrome develop kidney failure and in developing treatments that can slow or prevent the development of kidney failure. Several treatment approaches are being tested in animals with Alport syndrome.
• QDo I need to take vitamin and mineral supplements if I have kidney disease?

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  A National Kidney Foundation answered

  If you have kidney disease, it may be important for you to take certain amounts of some vitamins and minerals in the form of supplements. Almost all vitamins and minerals come from the foods you eat. Your body does not make these substances. People with healthy kidneys who eat a variety of foods from all the food groups (meats, grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy products) can get lots of vitamins and minerals.
  
  But with kidney disease, you may be on a diet that limits some food groups. Therefore, you may not be getting all the vitamins and minerals you need each day. Ask your doctor if you need to take vitamin and mineral supplements.
• QWhat influences the success of chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment?

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  A National Kidney Foundation answered

  Early detection and treatment can often slow or stop chronic kidney disease (CKD) from progressing to kidney failure. The degree to which your treatment can achieve this goal depends on:

  • Your stage of CKD when you start treatment. The earlier you start, the better off you are.
  • How carefully you follow your treatment plan. Learn all you can about CKD and treatment for it, and make sure to follow all the steps of your treatment plan.
  • The cause of your kidney disease. Some kidney diseases are more difficult to control.
• QWhen will I need to start treatment for kidney disease?

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  A National Kidney Foundation answered

  Your doctor will help you decide when you need to start treatment for kidney disease. This decision is based on:

  • your symptoms
  • other medical conditions you have
  • how much kidney function you have left
  • your nutritional health

  To help determine when you need to start treatment, your doctor should estimate your glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This tells how much remaining function your kidneys have and can be determined by a simple blood test.
• QWhat is the outlook for Alport syndrome?

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  A National Kidney Foundation answered

  Researchers have isolated the gene responsible for Alport syndrome. The research disclosed three mutations of the gene. This discovery will not only permit more precise diagnosis of Alport syndrome, but it opens the possibility for future gene therapy for this disorder.
• QHow is hydronephrosis treated in babies during pregnancy?

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  A National Kidney Foundation answered

  If your baby has hydronephrosis, your obstetrician will monitor your pregnancy more closely. More frequent ultrasound testing may be performed.
  
  Sometimes, the amount of amniotic fluid can be lower than normal. This could be due to a leakage or to decreased production of urine by the baby. Decreased urine production may be a sign of a significant kidney problem. In rare cases, samples of the baby's urine might be required.
  
  Most often, no specific treatment is required during the pregnancy, but evaluation by a pediatric urologist or nephrologist is needed after birth to identify the problem more specifically and to decide whether treatment is needed. Very rarely, a tube may be placed into the baby's bladder during the pregnancy to bypass a blockage. Another alternative is to deliver the baby early, but in most cases, no treatment is needed during pregnancy.
• QWhen should I call my doctor if I have chronic kidney disease?

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  A RealAge answered

  If you have chronic kidney disease you should call your doctor if your symptoms worsen, you develop new symptoms or experience complications from your disease.
  
  You should also call your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of chronic kidney disease but have not yet been diagnosed, or the underlying cause of your chronic kidney disease has not yet been determined. Chronic kidney disease means that your kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood normally, which can cause waste to build up in your body. Early diagnosis can help prevent chronic kidney disease from progressing to kidney failure. Symptoms of chronic kidney disease may include:

  • fatigue
  • difficulty concentrating
  • poor appetite
  • trouble sleeping
  • muscle cramping at night
  • swollen feet and ankles
  • puffiness around your eyes, especially in the morning
  • dry, itchy skin
  • frequent urination, especially at night

  You should also talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes -- such as quitting smoking or lowering the salt in your diet -- that can help you manage your chronic kidney disease. You may need to talk to your doctor about referrals to other experts -- such as a dietician, a nephrologist, or heart disease expert -- who might be able to help you manage your kidney disease. Your doctor may also be able to refer you to a kidney disease support group in your area.
• QWhy is a low-protein diet necessary for some patients with kidney disease?

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  A National Kidney Foundation answered

  Protein is needed for growth, upkeep and repair of all parts of your body. Protein comes from the food you eat. When your body digests it, a waste product called urea is produced. If the kidneys are not working well, urea can build up in the bloodstream and may cause loss of appetite and fatigue. In late stage kidney disease, it's important to limit dietary protein to reduce the workload of the kidneys. There are two main sources of protein, and you will need some of each type of protein each day:

  • Animal products (fish, poultry, eggs, meat and dairy products) are considered high-quality protein. You may need to limit dairy products because they are high in phosphorus; which can cause your blood phosphorus level to be too high.
  • Vegetable products (breads, cereals, rice, pasta and dried beans) are considered low-quality protein.
• QWhat is recovery like after a nephrectomy?

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  A National Kidney Foundation answered

  Immediately after nephrectomy (surgical removal of a kidney), your healthcare team will carefully watch your blood pressure, electrolytes and fluid balance. These body functions are controlled in part by the kidneys. You will most likely have a urinary catheter (tube to drain urine) in your bladder for a short time during your recovery.
  
  You may have discomfort and numbness (caused by severed nerves) near the incision area. Pain relievers are given after the surgical procedure and during the recovery period as needed. Although deep breathing and coughing may be painful because the incision is close to the diaphragm, breathing exercises are important to prevent pneumonia.
  
  You will probably remain in the hospital for one to seven days, depending on the method of surgery used. You will be encouraged to return to light activities as soon as you feel up to it. Strenuous activity and heavy lifting should be avoided for six weeks following the procedure.
  
  Your doctor will give you more detailed instructions about your postoperative activities, restrictions and diet.
• QWhat are the types of nephrectomy?

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  A National Kidney Foundation answered

  Nephrectomy is the surgical removal of a kidney. The procedure is done to treat kidney cancer as well as other kidney diseases and injuries. Nephrectomy is also done to remove a healthy kidney from a donor (either living or deceased) for transplantation. Thousands of nephrectomies are performed every year in the U.S.
  
  There are two types of nephrectomy for a diseased kidney: partial and radical. In partial nephrectomy, only the diseased or injured portion of the kidney is removed. Radical nephrectomy involves removing the entire kidney, along with a section of the tube leading to the bladder (ureter), the gland that sits atop the kidney (adrenal gland) and the fatty tissue surrounding the kidney. When both kidneys are removed at the same time, the procedure is called bilateral nephrectomy.
  
  The procedure used to remove a healthy kidney from a donor for the purpose of transplantation is called donor nephrectomy.