Chronic Kidney Disease
With Northlake Nephrology Institute
Understanding Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a condition characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function over time. Our kidneys play a crucial role in filtering waste and excess fluids from our blood, which are then expelled in our urine. As CKD progresses, it gradually leads to the buildup of toxic waste products in the body, which eventually causes serious health issues. At Northlake Nephrology Institute, we specialize in managing the course of Chronic Kidney Disease so that its progression is halted, or at least slowed to the greatest degree. This approach gives our patients the highest quality of life for the longest time possible.
Managing Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease management should be tailored specifically to each patient’s underlying kidney disease process, their other medical conditions, and their lifestyle. At Northlake Nephrology Institute, treatments may include lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise, and sleep, as well as disease-modifying medications which preserve and protect kidney function. For more advanced cases, plans may include discussion for renal replacement such as kidney transplant or dialysis treatment options. Through every phase of treatment, our goal is always to halt the progression of CKD, alleviate symptoms, and enhance your quality of your life.
Specific Types of Kidney Disease
As with many forms of Chronic Kidney Disease, diabetes-related kidney disease usually begins with glomerular damage and leakage of proteins, particularly albumin, into the urine. Over time, the protein spillage increases and gradually kidney function declines. What sets diabetes-related kidney disease, or diabetic nephropathy (DN), apart from other common causes of CKD is the rate of decline in kidney function, which is generally more rapid than with other etiologies. Because of the more rapid progression of disease, early use of medical interventions often have dramatic positive effects. And the early introduction of these medicines is crucial to halting disease progression.
Just as atherosclerotic vascular disease can affect the blood supply to the heart and brain, where it can cause clinical syndromes such as heart attacks and strokes, atherosclerotic vascular disease can also affect the kidneys. It can do this by causing blockages to the large and small arteries which supply blood to the kidneys. Additionally, essential or primary hypertension, when left untreated for prolonged periods of time, causes damage to small vessels within the kidney called arterioles. This leads to further damage to other vital components of the kidney.
Some other less common causes of CKD are classified as being of vascular origin. Our team is also quite comfortable treating these disease processes, which include immune vasculitis, thrombotic microangiopathies, and systemic sclerosis.
Primary glomerular diseases are non-systemic autoimmune conditions that affect the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units. These diseases result from the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy glomerular tissue.
Diagnosis typically involves blood tests and microscopic analysis of kidney tissue obtained via renal biopsy. Common primary glomerular diseases include:
- Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
- Membranous Nephropathy (MN)
- IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)
- Minimal Change Disease (MCD)
- Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis (MPGN)
Just as some autoimmune diseases can affect primarily the kidney, other autoimmune diseases can affect multiple systems or organs, including the kidney. These systemic autoimmune diseases include systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and ANCA-positive-associated diseases such as Wegener’s granulomatosis.
Some malignancies and malignancy-associated diseases can also affect the kidney and cause CKD. These include multiple myeloma (MM) and amyloidosis.
Lastly, diseases with a genetic basis may also cause CKD. These include polycystic kidney disease (PKD), Alport’s syndrome (hereditary nephritis), and Fabry’s disease.
Our Approach to Treating Chronic Kidney Disease
Northlake Nephrology Institute leads the way with well-informed care and compassion. Some specific causes of CKD require specific treatments; however, the progression of all types of CKD respond (to varying degrees) to the foundational treatments. With the Northshore’s most experienced team of Chronic Kidney Disease specialists, we tirelessly work to develop treatment plans that make sense for you. We’re committed to seeing you quickly – not making you wait weeks for appointments – and dedicated to helping you navigate Chronic Kidney Disease every step of the way.
God sent us to Dr. Simon with his intelligence, his care, and the support he provides. I just couldn't ask for anybody better, I really couldn't.
