Kidney Disease

Kidney disease affects 15% of adults in the United States, but your risk is dramatically higher if you have diabetes or high blood pressure. Experienced nephrologist Deon Middlebrook, MD, provides comprehensive care for kidney disease at his practice, Deon D. Middlebrook MDPC in Detroit, Michigan. His expertise and individualized attention focus on protecting your kidneys’ health and slowing or stopping progressive damage. Call the office today or request an appointment online to begin your customized kidney disease treatment.

What is kidney disease?

Kidney disease develops when a sudden (acute) or long-lasting (chronic) condition damages the kidneys. Healthy kidneys remove toxic wastes and excess fluids from your blood. 

Your kidneys also maintain a healthy electrolyte balance and regulate blood pressure. Kidney disease disrupts all of these essential functions.

What causes kidney disease?

Diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure) are the top two causes of kidney disease. Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes both cause kidney disease. 

However, nearly everyone with Type 1 diabetes develops kidney disease within five years of their diagnosis, and another 30%-40% develop kidney problems within 10-30 years.

You can also develop kidney disease from a wide range of health conditions, including:

• Renal artery stenosis
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Glomerulonephritis
• Obstructive uropathy
• Hemolytic uremic syndrome
• Lupus nephritis
• Autoimmune disorders
• Heavy metal poisoning
• Infections
• Toxic drugs

Kidney disease increases your risk for heart disease. However, some heart conditions, such as heart failure, significantly increase your chances of developing kidney disease.

What symptoms does kidney disease cause? 

The following symptoms gradually appear as kidney disease progresses:

• Edema (excess fluids cause swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet)
• Frequent urination (especially at night)
• Foamy or bubbly urine (a sign of too much protein in your urine)
• Dry, itchy skin
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Muscle cramps
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty sleeping

Nephrotic syndrome is a group of kidney disease symptoms, including high protein in your urine (proteinuria), low albumin in your blood, and edema. 

What complications might develop due to kidney disease?

Kidney disease causes a wide range of health complications, including:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Fluid overload (edema)
• Cardiovascular disease
• Nerve damage
• Anemia
• Gout
• Weak, brittle bones
• Acid-base imbalances
• Electrolyte imbalances

Kidney disease can lead to dangerously high and low levels of electrolytes (minerals essential for nerve function), which causes serious health problems. For example, hyponatremia (low sodium) develops when your kidneys stop removing excess water.

When does kidney disease become kidney failure?

Kidney disease progresses through five stages based on the amount of kidney damage and the progressive loss of function. Throughout the first few stages, treatment can stop you from progressing to the next stage.

Your kidneys are barely functioning in the fifth stage. That’s when you’re in kidney failure, also called end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Dr. Middlebrook is an exceptional nephrologist who has extensive experience diagnosing and treating kidney disease. If you need kidney disease management, call Deon D. Middlebrook MDPC or request an appointment online today.