Our Services
Renovascular Disease/ Renal Artery Stenosis Management
Renovascular disease, also known as renal artery stenosis, involves a blockage or narrowing within the renal arteries or veins, which are the blood vessels that carry blood to and from the kidneys. The arteries are affected much more commonly than the veins. This condition occurs most often in older patients, although young women may also be at risk for a certain type of renovascular disease.
If left untreated, renovascular disease can lead to kidney damage, uncontrolled hypertension or congestive heart failure. It is important for patients to seek proper medical treatment for this condition in order to reduce the risk of complications. Treatment may include medications or a procedure such as balloon angioplasty or stenting to clear the blockage and restore normal blood flow. Patients can reduce their risk of developing this disease by managing conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Renal Cyst/ Polycystic Kidney Disease (PCKD)
Polycystic kidney disease involves the development of cysts within and around the kidneys, most commonly in patients with genetic kidney defects. A cyst is a noncancerous, fluid-filled sac that can vary in size and sometimes grow extremely large. Patients may suffer from dominant or recessive forms of this condition, although the dominant form is more common.
Patients with polycystic kidney disease may experience:
- High blood pressure
- Back pain
- Blood in the urine
- Urinary tract infections
Some patients may not experience symptoms for several years and may not know that they have the condition. Once symptoms are present, your doctor may perform a series of tests to confirm the diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease, including ultrasound, MRI, CT scan and genetic testing.
Treatment for polycystic kidney disease focuses on relieving the individual symptoms caused by the condition. High blood pressure is the most common condition of polycystic kidney disease and can be treated through a low-sodium, low-fat diet, quitting smoking and increasing exercise, as well as medication. Chronic pain can be treated with over-the-counter medication while bladder or kidney infections require antibiotics. Serious complications such as kidney failure may require a kidney transplant to restore function to the kidney.
Your doctor will decide which treatment is best for you after a thorough evaluation of your condition. It is important for patients to follow the lifestyle changes required to treat this condition in order to minimize their risk of passing polycystic kidney disease on to their children.
Proteinuria Screening and Management
Proteinuria involves an abnormal amount of protein in the urine which tends to occur in patients with diabetes, hypertension or a family history of proteinuria. While waste products are filtered out of the blood to leave the body through the urine, protein is essential in protecting the body against infection and ensuring proper fluid circulation. When protein is found in the urine, it may be a sign of chronic kidney disease.
Early stages of proteinuria do not often produce any symptoms, but patients with large amounts of protein may notice swelling in the hands, feet and face, or urine that appears foamy. Because of its potential implications and lack of symptoms, patients at risk for kidney disease should be tested on a regular basis. This condition can be diagnosed through a simple urine test that compares the amount of albumin in the urine with the amount of creatinine to determine if these levels are off balance. Laboratory testing is the only way to detect excessive protein before extensive kidney damage has occurred.
Treatment for proteinuria involves managing blood sugar and blood pressure levels, which can be done through a healthy diet, regular exercise and prescribed medication for diabetes and high blood pressure. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to control swelling of the kidneys that may lead to proteinuria. Treatment may be required over a long period of time, depending on the severity of each patient's individual condition.
