Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Nephrology, Primary Care, Transplant
We often refer to hypertension (high blood pressure) as a “silent disease” because it does not always cause symptoms, and could go unchecked for years.
Diagnosing High Blood Pressure
When you get your blood pressure checked at your medical provider’s office, hypertension is diagnosed with two blood pressure readings of 140/90 or higher.
• The first (top) number is the systolic pressure inside your arteries when your heart is contracting.
• The second (bottom) number is the diastolic pressure when your arteries are relaxed.
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Mar 13, 2013 | Nephrology, Surgery, Transplant, Vascular Health
When patients come to my office with a diagnosis of kidney failure or end stage renal disease (ESRD), most of them are nervous about what the next steps are to continue the activities of their daily life, now that their kidneys are no longer functioning. It is not always a surprise that they have kidney failure; however, the options can be overwhelming.
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Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Family Medicine, Health Tips, Nephrology, Primary Care, Surgery, Transplant
Many of the patients we evaluate for kidney transplant wonder how they could have found out they had kidney disease earlier, or before it progressed to the point that they needed to consider kidney dialysis or transplantation. (more…)
Nov 11, 2012 | Diabetes, Heart Disease, Nephrology, Transplant
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis) are not an uncommon health issue. Approximately 12% of men and 5% of women are affected by age 70. A kidney stone forms when patients have high levels of calcium, oxalate, cystine or uric acid in the urine. However, stones can also form when these substances are at normal levels if the amount of urine a patient produces each day is low. These substances form crystals, which become lodged in the kidney and gradually build in size, creating a kidney stone. Symptoms include flank (side between rib and hip) pain, blood in the urine, “gravel” or small stones in the urine, vomiting and pain with urination. (more…)