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Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease & How to Prevent It

Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease & How to Prevent It

Doctors measure how well your kidneys filter waste from your blood by estimating your glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR. Your eGFR is a number based on your blood test for creatinine, a waste product in your blood. The stages of kidney disease are determined by how well the kidneys function to filter waste and extra fluid out of your blood. After determining your filtration rate, chronic kidney disease is indicated by 5 stages of kidney damage.

*NOTE: This blog is designed to be an informative resource regarding the topic of Chronic Kidney Disease Stages with tips on how to prevent kidney disease from developing. Each person and patient are different, please talk with your doctor regarding the right treatment plan for you and any kidney health questions you might have.

STAGES OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Stage 1, an eGFR of 90 or greater means. This filtration rate means your kidneys are healthy and working well but have signs of mild kidney damage including protein in your urine or physical damage to your kidneys.

Stage 2, an eGFR between 60 and 89. Your kidneys are healthy and working well but have you have other signs of kidney damage including your urine or physical damage to your kidneys.

The first two stages can be slowed down by taking control of your blood sugar, blood pressure, eating healthy, working out, and stopping smoking.

Stage 3, an eGFR between 30 and 59. These levels indicate your kidneys aren’t working as well as they should and have some damage. Stage 3 is separated into two stages; Stage 3a, an eGFR between 45 and 59 and Stage 3b, an eGFR between 30 and 44. Stage 3 warning signs may include hands and feet swelling, back pain, and less urinating. Stage 3 complications include high blood pressure, anemia, and bone disease.

Slowing down Stage 3 includes all the same healthy lifestyle choices as the first two stages as well as a visit to a specialist kidney doctor called a nephrologist to help set up a treatment plan.

Stage 4, an eGFR between 15 and 29. In the last stage before kidney failure, your kidneys are moderately or severely damaged and are not working as they should. Stage 4 kidney disease symptoms include hands and feet swelling, back pain, and urinating more or less. Complications for Stage 4 include high blood pressure, anemia, and bone disease.

At this point, you’ll need to have regular appointments with a nephrologist who will make a treatment plan that is right for you, get help from a dietitian, and possibly take special blood pressure medicines. This is the last stage to prepare for Stage 5, kidney failure.

Stage 5, an eGFR less than 15. At this point, you’re close to failure or have complete kidney failure. When this happens, waste builds up in your blood and will make you sick. Some symptoms of kidney failure include all the signs of the previous stages including itching, muscle cramps, throwing up, no appetite, trouble breathing and sleeping.

If your kidney’s fail, you’ll need to begin dialysis to help clean your blood and prepare for a kidney transplant from a healthy donor or else you’ll need dialysis for the rest of your life.

HOW TO PREVENT

Chronic Kidney Disease is commonly brought on by diabetes and high blood pressure. Working with your doctor and possibly a dietitian can help keep your blood sugar and blood pressure under control. Make sure to keep up with regular annual doctor check-ups to stay on top of any early warning signs.

Along with some professionals help, choosing a healthy lifestyle can lower your risk for kidney disease; starting with a low-salt, low-fat diet, exercising at least 30 minutes daily, not smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption, all are great ways to help yourself!

At Midwest Nephrology Associates, we provide care and guidance for patients with kidney disease. Our doctors will determine the best dialysis treatment plan for you and we have three transplant nephrologists with training and expertise in the field of kidney transplantation. Contact us at any of our clinics across Milwaukee, Waukesha and all of Southeast Wisconsin with any questions or concerns.

CONTACT MIDWEST NEPHROLOGY ASSOCIATES TODAY

Have any questions or concerns? Our dedicated team of physicians and certified staff are here to help answer all your questions and can help set up an appointment for you or a loved one. Contact Midwest Nephrology Associates for more information on Kidney Cancer and for help finding a treatment that works best for you.

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Holiday Survival Tips

Holiday Survival Tips

Holiday Health with kidney disease can be challenging but you shouldn’t let it alter your overall fun and family time. Here are a few simple tips to stay healthy over the holidays and as long as you’re mindful of what you are eating and what’s in your food, you are sure to have a happy and healthy holiday.

*The tips enclosed in this blog are suggestions for patients with Kidney disease. Please make sure to follow direct treatment plans from your doctor. Every patient is different and may require various diet restrictions.

Holiday Health with kidney disease can be challenging but you shouldn’t let it alter your overall fun and family time. Here are a few simple tips to stay healthy over the holidays and as long as you’re mindful of what you are eating and what’s in your food, you are sure to have a happy and healthy holiday.

What to watch out for; sodium, potassium, phosphorus, fluid, protein, and carbohydrates are all factors for a balanced diet. Portion control and overall knowledge of key foods to look out for will help.

Sodium is found in salt, asking your friends, family, or whoever is cooking this holiday season to either not salt meals may be tricky but will do wonders for your overall experience. Another option can be to have your own portions prepared separate or even bring your own individually prepared meals because if you’re cooking you’ll be able to monitor your meals.

Why no salt? Sodium can raise blood pressure and makes you overly thirsty. Being diligent of who prepared what dish and reading the labels of store-bought snacks, processed foods, sauces, and condiments over the holidays will help you keep your wits about your intake.

Say no to overly salty treats, high Sodium food to look out for this holiday season include; chips, crackers, dips, ham, bacon, brined turkey, stuffing, rolls, gravy, and many more.

Eat mindfully, potassium is a mineral that helps muscles and nerves work, sounds good, however too much can be dangerous for people with kidney disease. Potassium is found in fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, nuts, and beans. So steer clear of sweet potatoes, yams, and green vegetables. Also found in holiday pies like pumpkin, pecan, and mincemeat. And in the mornings, limit or go without orange juice, pomegranate, banana, and other high potassium food. Instead choose Apples, berries, grapes, peaches or pineapple are better. And mashed potatoes or hash browns - soak and boil to reduce potassium.

Phosphorus helps keep bones and teeth strong, too much in the body can cause problems with bones, heart, and veins. Found in dairy products, nuts, beans, and grains, along with processed foods and drinks. Most dialysis patients take medicine with their food to help control blood phosphorus levels.

Choose healthy substitutes, With a few simple diet tweaks, you can indulge in your favorite holiday foods, replace sour cream with greek yogurt in your favorite holiday recipes. Trade other dairies for Rice milk (unenriched), and non-dairy creamers. Holiday food high in phosphorus to look out for include; cheeses, tomato sauces, pudding, chocolate, and dishes with nuts. Instead of chocolate desserts, go for vanilla or lemon-based. Substitute the tomato sauce for a mushroom.

Fluids, healthy kidneys balance sodium and fluid, when a kidney can’t get rid of fluid it builds up. Too much fluid causes swelling, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, and heart damage. This holiday turn down the usual eggnog, cocktails, beer, and wine. In the morning, coffee, juice, and tea all are on the naughty list. Make sure to maintain minimum liquids over the holidays.

Now for the main course, the protein. Look out for brined turkey and ham due to the large salt content. If eating turkey, beef, pork, or fish, make sure it’s no bigger than the size of your palm or deck of cards.

Carbohydrates, food energy that consists of starches, sugar, and fiber. Carbs raise blood sugar and eating too many can cause weight gain. Carbs to look out for this holiday are stuffing, bread, rice, noodles, potatoes, fruits, and desserts. For dessert substitutes, try finding fruit pies, cookies without chocolate, dried fruit, or nuts.

Remember, having a fulfilling holiday is not just about the food, it's about the family and friends you’re surrounded by. As long as you plan ahead, limit snacks, and keep a good balance between sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and carbs you’ll have a happy and healthy holiday season. Everyone is different, make sure to follow your doctor’s treatment plan or consult a doctor before the holidays to know your limits.

CONTACT MIDWEST NEPHROLOGY ASSOCIATES TODAY

Have any questions or concerns? Our dedicated team of physicians and certified staff are here to help answer all your questions and can help set up an appointment for you or a loved one. Contact Midwest Nephrology Associates for more information on Kidney Cancer and for help finding a treatment that works best for you.

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Educational Programs and Resources for Transplant Patients

Educational Programs and Resources for Transplant Patients

Considering a transplant brings up many questions and can be a scary time in a patient’s life. Discovering the risks and benefits of a transplant, there are many different factors to consider when deciding with your doctor that a kidney transplant is the best course of action for your health and well-being. By becoming informed and seeking out educational resources, those considering transplants and their families can make the best decision based upon their unique circumstances and qualifications. There are many resources available to those considering kidney transplant that include education, emotional and psychological support, follow-up care and resources regarding financing and insurance. The process begins with an evaluation, followed up by preparing for the transplant, understanding the waitlist and finally care after the transplant.

According to Kidney.org, “For the majority of patients, transplantation is the best option. Kidney transplant is not a cure for kidney disease, but it can help you live longer and with a better quality of life.” Midwest Nephrology has three providers that specialize in transplant with training and expertise in the field of kidney and pancreas transplantation. Transplantation can be a life changing event for patients living with kidney disease, and many people feel that a successful kidney transplant offers a better quality of life than dialysis.

Evaluation for Kidney transplant –Because it is necessary to be extremely thorough, the evaluation can take several months. Contacting the insurance company, reviewing physical, psychosocial and financial health are all pieces that need to be put together during the initial evaluation. Doctors will review medical and surgical history, a physical exam, a psychosocial exam and compatibility tests. After the evaluation is complete, the transplant team will review the results, discuss concerns and decide if the transplant is the best course of action.

Getting Ready for a Transplant – Transplantation allows for a life free from dialysis and fewer dietary restrictions. It can provide a better quality of life and over time, is less expensive than dialysis. Learning about the risks and benefits of surgery allows patients to be the most important member of the health care team, which is why education and preparation are so important. When it comes to finding a donor, www.livingdonors.org finds that “when people who need a transplant first talk about it to their family, then friends, then acquaintances, and keep widening their circle of contacts, often someone will be found as a potential donor.” If the best option is to wait for a transplant from a deceased donor, http://www.transplantliving.org is a site designed for patients; providing information on ways to access a list of all transplant centers in the United States.

Transplant waitlist - The United Network for Organ Sharing is the organization that “holds the U.S. government contract to manage the list of potential organ recipients. The way the list operates is constantly under revision to make sure it is as fair as possible.” It is important to inform the transplant center of any major health changes that may occur during the waiting period on the transplant list, as well as keeping your contact information up to date. Yearly physical exams may be required if a patient is on the list for a long period of time, and a pager may also be given out as a way to immediately make contact when a kidney becomes available. Generally, the average time frame for waiting can be 3-5 years at most centers. A higher priority is given to patients who are extremely hard to match due to high levels of antibodies from prior transplants, blood transfusions or pregnancies.

With new medical advancements and treatments being studied and implemented, staying abreast on current procedures and requirements helps patients, along with their doctors, decide which course of action is best for their health; before, during, and after transplantation.

CONTACT MIDWEST NEPHROLOGY ASSOCIATES TODAY

Have any questions or concerns? Our dedicated team of physicians and certified staff are here to help answer all your questions and can help set up an appointment for you or a loved one. Contact Midwest Nephrology Associates for more information on Kidney Cancer and for help finding a treatment that works best for you.

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Health & Wellness Events in Wisconsin

Health & Wellness Events in Wisconsin

At Midwest Nephrology, we inspire our patients with hope and well-being by respecting their physical and emotional needs. Our primary value is to improve the health and well-being of our patients so that they live a comfortable and productive life. A large part of our treatment plans include education and prevention, helping our patients by utilizing the skills and contributions of all our staff members. We are grateful to be a part of a caring community that offers clinics and events to draw awareness to kidney health in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Every year the National Kidney Foundation puts on a Derby Dash Run/Walk to raise funds and bring the community together in a healthy atmosphere. This event brings together individuals and families to raise awareness about the importance of kidney health and the lifesaving treatments of dialysis and transplantation.

Other upcoming events in our local area include some excellent ways to stay informed about the importance of kidney health:

November 14, 2019 @ 7:30 am – 5:00 pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Madison
2019 Wisconsin Dialysis Symposium - The Wisconsin Dialysis Symposium is an annual, day-long continuing education program coordinated by the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin in collaboration with nephrology and dialysis related professional organizations.

Consider joining one of these important events to stay abreast on your kidney health and all the innovations that are happening with prevention and treatment.

Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Marriott Milwaukee West in Milwaukee
Spotlight on Life - Spotlight on Life is a celebration of life, recognizing the people that have been saved or improved by transplantation and the people who have made organ donations.

The event features a dance competition and gourmet dinner. Tissue banks, transplant hospitals, and other related organizations have donated their time to train at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio leading up this event. Each organization will be accepting donations.

Patients, families, and all supporters are welcome to attend and enjoy the dance competition. You can also celebrate at home through a live, online broadcast.

Consider joining one of these important events to stay abreast on your kidney health and all the innovations that are happening with prevention and treatment.

CONTACT MIDWEST NEPHROLOGY ASSOCIATES TODAY

Have any questions or concerns? Our dedicated team of physicians and certified staff are here to help answer all your questions and can help set up an appointment for you or a loved one. Contact Midwest Nephrology Associates for more information on Kidney Cancer and for help finding a treatment that works best for you.

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