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Chronic Kidney Disease

Internal Medicine, Physical Therapy, Pediatrics & Pulmonology located in San Antonio, TX

If you develop nausea, vomiting, fatigue, swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath, it could be due to chronic kidney disease. At San Antonio Premier Internal Medicine, with three locations in San Antonio, Texas, the exceptional primary care physicians help you manage kidney disease to reduce unpleasant symptoms and the risk of complications. Call the office to learn more or use the online booking tab today.


What is chronic kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease, or ongoing kidney disease, is sometimes referred to as chronic kidney failure. It causes a gradual loss of kidney function. Your kidneys filter certain substances from your body, such as waste and extra fluids, that normally get excreted in your urine. When left untreated, chronic kidney disease can cause dangerous waste, fluid, or electrolyte buildup.

What are the symptoms of chronic kidney disease?

You might not have any symptoms in the early stages of chronic kidney disease. As the disease progresses, however, you could experience: 

  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Reduced appetite
  • Frequent or infrequent urination
  • Sleeping difficulty 
  • Feet or ankle swelling
  • Decreased mental sharpness
  • Muscle cramps
  • Itchy or dry skin
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • High blood pressure

When left untreated, chronic kidney disease can result in fluid retention, frequent infections, permanent kidney damage, heart problems, weak bones, sexual dysfunction, and inflammation of your heart’s membrane (pericarditis). It can also cause pregnancy complications in women.

What are the risk factors for chronic kidney disease?

Some of the main risk factors for developing chronic kidney disease include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Excess body weight 
  • Smoking
  • Family history of chronic kidney disease
  • Older age
  • Abnormal kidney structure
  • Certain medications

Ways to reduce your risk of chronic kidney disease include taking medications exactly as directed by your doctor, maintaining an ideal body weight, eating nutritious foods, getting regular exercise, and not smoking. Properly manage other chronic diseases if you have them.

How does my provider diagnose chronic kidney disease?

To determine if you have chronic kidney disease and effectively treat it, the experts at San Antonio Premier Internal Medicine review your symptoms, lifestyle habits, and medical history. 

They check your vital signs and complete a physical exam, including a neurological exam. Before tailoring a chronic kidney disease treatment plan, your provider may order urine tests, blood tests, imaging procedures, or a kidney biopsy.

How is chronic kidney disease treated?

Your San Antonio Premier Internal Medicine specialist may recommend one or more of the following treatments for chronic kidney disease:

Lifestyle changes

You might need to make diet and other lifestyle changes to accommodate chronic kidney disease. Your specialist may recommend reducing your sodium, potassium, or protein intake. 

Medications

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions, your provider helps you manage these diseases to control kidney disease better and reduce complications. You might take medications or make lifestyle changes.

Dialysis 

Dialysis uses a machine or other methods to remove extra fluids and waste products from your blood to do the job of your kidneys.

Kidney transplant

Some people with chronic kidney disease need a kidney transplant to replace a diseased kidney. If you receive a kidney transplant, you can expect to take medications for the rest of your life.

To get screened for chronic kidney disease or receive treatment, call the San Antonio Premier Internal Medicine office or use the online scheduler today.