Reliable facts about the kidneys from Dallas Nephrology Associates.

As a long-established, reputable and dedicated provider of kidney care, Dallas Nephrology Associates emphasizes the role of education in improving quality of life and maximizing the success of treatment outcomes. It all starts with the facts about kidneys, nephrology care and Dallas Nephrology Associates. Here they are:

A patient with a doctor

Did You Know?
Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure in the U.S., and high blood pressure adds to the kidney damage caused by diabetes.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) facts.

Major risk factors for kidney disease include high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, family history of kidney failure, obesity, autoimmune diseases, urinary tract infections, and systemic infections.
Kidney disease risk can be reduced by controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, maintaining proper weight, stopping smoking, and exercising regularly.
Every drug you put into your body passes through your kidneys. Some medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can harm your kidneys.
African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and Native Alaskans are at the highest risk for kidney disease and kidney failure.
If you have kidney disease, you should consult your doctor before taking a pain medication, particularly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and higher-dose aspirin.
Smoking can affect your kidneys because it interferes with some of the medicines used to treat high blood pressure and increases the risk of strokes and heart attacks in people who have high blood pressure.
If you are overweight or obese, you have a greater chance of developing diabetes or high blood pressure, the leading causes of kidney disease and kidney failure.
Exercising for at least 10 to 15 minutes daily helps to prevent many diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease.
Identifying yourself as an organ and/or tissue donor is simple. Visit the Donate Life America website and choose your state of residence to join its online registry for donation. You can also declare your intentions on your driver’s license.
The kidney is the most common human organ given by a living donor.
A living donated kidney may come from a family member (or a good friend, your spouse, an in-law or even a stranger) who is in good health and has normal kidney function.

The facts about CKD and end-stage renal disease in Texas.

In the U.S., it is estimated that 1 in every 7 people have kidney disease.
At the end of 2018, almost 70,000 Texas residents were receiving some type of treatment for kidney disease such as medication, dialysis or having had transplants.
Failure to identify and manage chronic kidney disease (CKD) can lead to kidney failure, or end-stage renal (kidney) disease (ESRD or ESKD).

About diabetes and the kidneys.

Diabetes is the single most important cause of new cases of kidney failure.
Prediabetes (also known as borderline diabetes) can damage the kidneys.
Protein in the urine (also known as proteinuria or albuminuria) is the earliest sign of kidney disease in those with diabetes and prediabetes.

A doctor and a stethoscope

What you need to know about diet, nutrition and your kidneys.

By making better food choices you could lighten the workload on your kidneys and help keep your body in balance.
Healthy kidneys control how much sodium is in your body.
A blood test can determine if you need to make adjustments to your diet in order to adjust the level of potassium in your blood.
With certain kidney conditions, you may need to restrict the amount of protein in your diet.
If you have kidney problems, you should only take vitamins, minerals and other over the counter medications that have been approved by your health care team.
At Dallas Nephrology Associates, we have registered and licensed dietitians on staff who specialize in kidney problems and work with you and your doctor to plan meals that best suit your needs. Ask your physician about medical nutrition therapy.

Get additional information through our patient education program.

To get additional facts and become more informed about nephrology, the kidneys and kidney disease, attend one of our classes. Visit our web page dedicated to patient education.

For more information about the kidneys, kidney disease, dialysis, transplant and other nephrology topics, call Dallas Nephrology Associates at 877-654-3639 or contact us via our convenient online form. Also, learn more about our robust patient education here.