Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease services offered in Indianapolis, IN

More than 37 million adults in the United States have chronic kidney disease (CKD), which means their kidneys are unable to properly filter water and waste from their blood to make urine. Bryant King, MD, is an internal medicine physician who specializes in diagnosing and managing chronic kidney disease at his office in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Bryant King provides comprehensive, compassionate, and informative care. To schedule an appointment with this nephrology specialist, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

Chronic Kidney Disease Q&A

What is chronic kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease or CKD is a progressive condition that affects your kidney's ability to filter waste and fluid from your blood.

The primary function of the kidneys is to remove excess fluid and waste from your blood to make urine. They also maintain electrolytes and fluid and make hormones that control your blood pressure.

The kidney damage that causes CKD occurs slowly over time. When left undiagnosed and untreated, kidney function worsens, leading to kidney failure. When your kidneys fail and you're in end-stage renal disease (ESRD), you need dialysis.

What causes chronic kidney disease?

You can develop chronic kidney disease from any number of causes. However, diabetes and hypertension are the most common.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes higher than normal blood glucose levels. The excess glucose in the blood damages blood vessels and organs, including the filtering system in your kidneys, leading to CKD.

Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, means the pressure against your blood vessel walls is consistently too high. That prolonged excess pressure damages the blood vessels, affecting the smaller blood vessels first, like those in the kidneys.

You can also develop CKD if it runs in your family or you have an underlying health condition that affects kidney function. Lupus, for example, is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system attacks and damages organs like the kidneys.

Though rare, kidney stones may also cause kidney damage that leads to CKD.

What tests diagnose chronic kidney disease?

Dr. King takes a patient-centered approach to care and conducts a thorough health history review and physical exam to assess overall health. To diagnose chronic kidney disease, he performs a urinalysis to check for protein in the urine and a blood test to measure kidney function.

For the blood test, he checks your glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which measures how well your kidneys work. Dr. King uses the results of your GFR to determine the severity of your kidney disease and monitor the progression of the disease.

What types of treatments can help men manage chronic kidney disease?

Treatment for kidney disease depends on the severity of your kidney damage. Dr. King spends a lot of time talking to you about your kidneys and the lifestyle changes you can make to maintain kidney function and slow down the progression of the disease.

He also helps you manage any underlying health condition that contributes to CKD, including high blood pressure and diabetes.

To get care for chronic kidney disease, call the office of Dr. Bryant King or schedule an appointment online today.