A Closer Look at Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Chronic kidney disease is a condition where the kidneys are damaged and are unable to filter blood as well as they should. With CKD, excess fluid and waste from the blood remain in the body and may cause other health problems like heart disease and hypertension. Over time, this can lead to kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) where the kidneys have stopped working and will require dialysis or transplant care.

The two most common causes of CKD are high blood pressure and diabetes. High blood pressure means the force of blood in your blood vessels is too strong while diabetes means your blood sugar is too high. Other kidney problems can also lead to CKD, such as polycystic kidney disease and lupus nephritis. These conditions require specialized services in Michigan to address.

In the early stages of kidney disease, you may not experience any symptoms. In the later stages of kidney disease, you may notice the following symptoms:

• Feeling weak and tired and sleep problems.
• Swelling of the feet, ankles, and legs.
• Urinating less or more than normal.
• Foamy or frothy urine and nausea.
• Muscle cramps, itchy skin, and feeling less hungry than normal.

To diagnose CKD and if dialysis services in Michigan are necessary, your healthcare provider will perform several tests. This may include blood tests to assess the level of waste products and urine tests to reveal abnormalities that help identify the cause of CKD. imaging tests may also be done to assess the kidneys’ structure and size.

Here at Beta Kidney Care, we specialize in comprehensive kidney care in Michigan. To learn more about chronic kidney disease, reach out to us today.