Medical opinion: Chronic kidney disease explained

Editor's note: Board-certified specialists from a panel of Yuma-area physicians provide to-the-point answers to questions submitted by Sun readers. The answers are only the opinions of the answering physicians and are not meant to be a substitute for medical consultation or physician care. Submit questions by e-mail to medicalopinion@yahoo.com or via regular mail at Yuma County Medical Society, P.O. Box 4476, Yuma 85366.


BY IRFAN FAZIL, M.D.

Q — What is chronic kidney disease?
 
A — Chronic kidney disease is also known as CKD. It is a general name for the chronic disease of the kidney, which leads to decreased functionality of the kidneys, over time. It is generally progressive in nature, and if severe enough, it can completely shut down the kidneys leading to the need for dialysis. The most common causes of chronic kidney disease in clinical practice are diabetes and high blood pressure.
 
Q — What can I do to prevent chronic kidney disease?

A — It depends on the cause of the chronic kidney disease., e.g. if it is due to diabetes, then it should be strictly controlled, similarly in case of high blood pressure, strict control of the blood pressure can either prevent or slow down the progression of the chronic kidney disease.

Q — Is there a particular kind of diet which I should eat, if I have chronic kidney disease?
 
A — It varies from patient to patient, but generally, a low protein diet and salt restriction is recommended.

Q — What is the most common kidney disease which runs in families?
 
A — One of the most common causes of inherited chronic kidney disease is known as Polycystic Kidney Disease. It is a disease in which the patient develops numerous cysts on the kidneys, which become more and more with passage of time. Surprisingly we have found relatively higher prevalence of this disease in Yuma. It is common in patients with all ethnicities. If you have been diagnosed with this disease, you should have your first-degree relatives screened for this disease, as well.


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Irfan Fazil, M.D. is board certified in nephrology.