Your Trusted Kidney Disease & Dialysis AccessTreatment and Prevention Experts In South Dakota
What is Kidney Disease & Dialysis Access
Severe kidney disease affects millions of Americans and requires a team of expert physicians. In patients with kidney disease, also called renal disease, the body is unable to filter waste products from the bloodstream. The body won’t be able to maintain normal fluid balance, manage hormone levels that control blood pressure, and produce red blood cells to prevent anemia. If waste products build up in the blood, severe symptoms and complications may occur.
Symptoms of Kidney Disease & Dialysis Access
In general, most patients develop severe kidney disease over many years. The most common symptoms of severe kidney disease include:
- Fatigue
- Swelling of the feet, ankles, legs or face
- Foamy or frothy urine
- Bloody urine or pink urine
- Increased or decreased urination
Causes of Kidney Disease & Dialysis Access
Most patients develop severe kidney disease over many years. The most common causes of kidney disease include:
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Repeat infections
Lack of blood flow to the kidneys
IgA nephropathy
Lupus
Obstructive nephropathy, such as kidney stones
Family history of kidney disease, such as adult polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)
Diagnosis of Kidney Disease & Dialysis Access
If you are experiencing symptoms of severe kidney disease, or if you have been followed for kidney disease over many years, the diagnosis is usually confirmed with a series of tests:
- Blood and urine testing to check protein levels
- Imaging tests such as CT and ultrasound
- Kidney biopsy to send a small tissue sample to the laboratory for microscopic analysis
Treatment of Kidney Disease & Dialysis Access
Managing kidney disease is a team effort usually involving a primary care physician (PCP), nephrologist, and possibly a vascular surgeon.
For patients with mild to moderate kidney disease, preventing further damage is important. This is accomplished by taking medications to protect the kidneys, and also by avoiding ones that potentially worsen kidney function.
In patients with severe kidney disease, and those who are requiring dialysis, the team of physicians at Black Hills Heart and Vascular can help. We have the only board-certified vascular surgeon in the West River region with specialized training to help with all of your dialysis access needs.
Experienced Care for Kidney Disease & Dialysis Access Symptoms in the Black Hills
If you or a loved one has severe kidney disease and needs dialysis access (AV Fistula, angioplasty or revision of AV fistula), please call Black Hills Heart and Vascular at (605) 503-8192 to schedule a consultation.
