Kidney Disease

What is kidney disease?

Kidney disease, or nephropathy, is the deterioration of kidney function. According to the Centers for Disease Control, diabetes is the most common cause of kidney disease. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to kidney disease, although Type 1 is more likely to lead to kidney failure, the fifth and final stage of kidney disease.

What are the symptoms?

  • Poor appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Muscle cramps, especially at night
  • Swollen feet and ankles
  • Dry, itchy skin

What treatment options are available?

The onset and progression of diabetic nephropathy can be slowed by intensive management of diabetes and its symptoms. As kidney disease progresses, physical changes in the kidneys often lead to increased blood pressure, so treatment may include taking medications to lower blood pressure. Uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure) can make the progress toward stage five diabetic nephropathy (kidney failure) occur more rapidly. If kidney failure occurs, dialysis treatment or transplantation may be needed to survive.


Dialysis is a procedure that is performed routinely on people who suffer from kidney (renal) failure. The process involves removing waste substances and fluid from the blood that are normally eliminated by the kidneys. Dialysis may also be used for individuals who have been exposed to or ingested toxic substances to prevent kidney failure from occurring.
There are two types of dialysis that may be performed:
  • Peritoneal dialysis. Peritoneal dialysis is performed by surgically placing a special, soft, hollow tube into the lower abdomen near the navel. After the tube is placed, a special solution called dialysate is instilled into the peritoneal cavity, the space in the abdomen that houses the organs. The dialysate is left in the abdomen for a designated period of time as determined by your physician. The dialysate fluid absorbs the waste products and toxins through the peritoneum. The fluid is then drained from the abdomen, measured, and discarded. There are two different types of peritoneal dialysis: continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis (CCPD):
  • Hemodialysis. Hemodialysis is performed in a dialysis center by trained health care professionals. A special type of access, called an arteriovenous (AV) fistula, is placed surgically, usually in the arm. This involves joining an artery and a vein together. After access has been established, you will be connected to a hemodialysis machine that drains your blood, bathes it in a special dialysate solution that removes waste substances and fluid, then returns it to your bloodstream. Hemodialysis is usually performed several times a week and lasts four to five hours per visit.

Kidney Transplant

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure performed to replace a diseased kidney with a healthy kidney from another person. The kidney may come from a deceased donor or from a living donor. For most donors, we use an innovative technique called laparoscopic donor nephrectomy that reduces recovery time and stress. Individuals who donate a kidney can live healthy lives with the kidney that remains.

Helpful Links

ARORA (Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency)

UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing)

NKF (National Kidney Foundation)

Transplant Living