Chronic Kidney Diseases

At Nakshatra Health, we provide comprehensive care for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), helping patients manage their condition and improve their quality of life. Chronic Kidney Disease refers to the gradual loss of kidney function over time, often due to diabetes, high blood pressure, or other long-term medical conditions. Proper management of CKD is essential to prevent the progression to kidney failure and to maintain overall health.

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic Kidney Disease occurs when your kidneys, which filter waste and excess fluids from your blood, lose their ability to function properly. As CKD progresses, harmful waste builds up in the body, which can lead to severe complications, including heart disease, anemia, and bone disorders. CKD often develops silently, with symptoms appearing only in the later stages, making early detection crucial for effective management.

Common causes of CKD include:

• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys.
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Increased pressure in the blood vessels of the kidneys can impair their function over time.
• Glomerulonephritis: An inflammation of the kidneys’ filtering units (glomeruli).
• Polycystic Kidney Disease: A genetic disorder that causes cysts to form in the kidneys.
  
  

Symptoms of CKD

CKD symptoms may not appear until the disease has progressed, but common signs include:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Swelling in the legs, feet, or ankles (edema)
• Frequent urination or difficulty urinating
• Shortness of breath
• High blood pressure
• Loss of appetite and nausea
  
  

CKD Management at Nakshatra Health

Managing CKD involves slowing the progression of the disease, treating underlying conditions, and preventing complications. At Nakshatra Health, our experienced team, led by Dr. Swarna Mahalingam, focuses on providing personalized care to each patient. Here’s how we manage CKD:

• Early Detection and Diagnosis: Regular check-ups, blood tests, and urine tests help in the early detection of kidney issues. We monitor kidney function through tests like glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and creatinine levels to assess the severity of the disease.

• Treatment of Underlying Conditions: Managing underlying conditions like diabetes and hypertension is key to controlling CKD. We provide personalized treatment plans to manage these conditions and reduce their impact on kidney health.

• Medications: We may prescribe medications to control high blood pressure, reduce protein in the urine, and treat conditions like anemia or bone disease that often accompany CKD.

• Dietary Counseling: Proper nutrition plays a significant role in managing CKD. We offer customized dietary plans that help reduce the strain on your kidneys, focusing on low-sodium, low-protein, and low-potassium foods to protect kidney function.

• Lifestyle Changes: We provide guidance on adopting a healthy lifestyle, including quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and increasing physical activity, to slow down CKD progression.

• Dialysis and Transplant Referral: In advanced cases of CKD, we assist with dialysis and kidney transplant referrals, working with specialists to ensure a smooth transition and comprehensive care.