Kidney Disease

Kidney Disease Services Offered in Frisco, TX

Up to 15% of American adults have kidney disease, yet the majority of them don’t realize it. Routine lab tests like blood work and urinalysis can alert you early on when the condition responds to treatment. At Signature Internal Medicine, concierge internal medicine specialists Humera Ahmed, MD, and Dina Diehl, DO, offer complete care for acute and chronic kidney disease. To make an appointment, call the office in Frisco, Texas, or book online today. 

Kidney Disease Q & A

What is kidney disease?

Kidney disease refers to a group of conditions that affect your kidneys –– two bean-shaped glands located just above your waist on either side of your spine. The kidneys filter toxins from your blood, help regulate your blood pressure, and affect the production of red blood cells.

If you have kidney disease, toxins can build up in your body, causing a wide range of health problems. Kidney disease can’t always be cured, but with treatment, it’s possible to reduce the worst outcomes.

 

What are the types of kidney disease?

Signature Internal Medicine treats several types of kidney disease, including:

 

1) Acute kidney disease

If your kidneys suddenly stop working, you have acute kidney disease. Often, this type of kidney disease occurs due to a traumatic injury, a severe infection, or dehydration.

 

2) Chronic kidney disease

If your kidneys stop working for three months or longer, you have chronic kidney disease. The leading causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and hypertension, but other factors may also increase your risk. 

 

What are the symptoms of kidney disease?

The symptoms of kidney disease include:

  • Hypertension
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • A metallic taste in your mouth
  • Weakness
  • Trouble thinking
  • Muscle twitches and cramps
  • Sleep problems
  • Hypertension
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • A metallic taste in your mouth
  • Weakness
  • Trouble thinking
  • Muscle twitches and cramps
  • Sleep problems

As the condition worsens, you might also experience swelling in your feet and ankles, chest pain, or shortness of breath.

 

How is kidney disease diagnosed?

Signature Internal Medicine diagnoses kidney disease during an in-office visit.

Your provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including if you’ve needed to urinate more frequently than usual. Next, they do a physical exam and order lab tests, including blood work and urinalysis. If necessary, your provider might also refer you to a nearby imaging facility for a kidney ultrasound.

 

How is kidney disease treated?

Treatment of kidney disease depends on whether the condition is chronic or acute. In some cases, healthy lifestyle changes and prescription medication may restore some of your kidney function.

If you have chronic kidney disease and your kidneys stop functioning, your provider prescribes dialysis. Dialysis is an outpatient procedure that helps remove waste and extra fluids from your blood.

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