Kidney problems can make you very sick, shorten your life, and prevent you from doing many of the things you love most. Kidney Disease (known as Chronic Kidney Disease or CKD) can start very gradually and sneak up on you without making you feel ill or causing any noticeable symptoms. This kidney damage can be caused by many things, including high blood pressure, diabetes, other diseases and conditions, and certain types of drugs.
Feldman & Pinto Kidney Damage Resource Guide
After consulting with your doctor, you may want to learn as much as possible about kidney disease and what can be done to help you. The following resource guide contains valuable information about the disease itself, its causes and effects, and available treatments.
Kidney Injury: Definitions and Causes
Kidney Disease is a loss of kidney function that may be caused by many things, including high blood pressure, diabetes, several other diseases and conditions, heartburn medications, pain medications, antacids, antiviral, antibiotic, and antifungal medications, and the simple ravages of age.
Kidney Failure occurs when your kidneys have stopped working. This can happen suddenly (Acute Kidney Failure) or over a period of time (Chronic Kidney Failure). Learn more »
Kidney Injury: Symptoms
Many people develop Kidney Disease (also called Chronic Kidney Disease or CKD) long before they begin to feel sick or notice anything different about their health. If you do begin to feel symptoms of Kidney Disease, you may notice changes in urination, fatigue, swelling, itchy or discolored skin, pain, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea. Additional symptoms will occur with Kidney Failure. Learn more »
Effects of Kidney Disease
Kidney Disease can damage your heart, weaken your bones, leave too much acid in your blood, and negatively affect the health of nearly every part of your body. Learn more »
Tests for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Chronic Kidney Disease is a loss of kidney function that happens gradually over a period of years and causes few or no symptoms in its early stages. The disease can easily be detected, even in patients who have not noticed its effects, through routine blood and urine tests given at regular checkups. Learn more »
Kidney Injury: Treatments
If CKD is caught early enough, the progression of the disease can be slowed down and the effects on your kidneys and other organs significantly reduced. This can be accomplished by controlling your blood sugar and blood pressure, reducing the amount of protein in your urine, monitoring your medication use, and helping you to quit smoking.
When your kidneys have failed, you will need Dialysis or a Kidney Transplant to stay alive. Acute Kidney Failure can sometimes be cured with temporary Dialysis. Chronic Kidney Failure requires permanent Dialysis or a Kidney Transplant. Learn more »
Was your Kidney Disease Caused by Heartburn Medication?
Medications called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used for heartburn, acid reflux, and stomach ulcers. If used for more than 30 days, these drugs can cause Chronic Kidney Disease or Acute Kidney Injury. Examples of these drugs include Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid, and Protonix. Learn more »
Chronic Kidney Disease: Medications to Avoid
Certain types of medications can make your CKD worse and should be avoided altogether or taken in smaller doses. These include certain diabetes medications; cholesterol medications; pain medications; antacids; and antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal medications. Learn more »
Kidney Disease Drug Interactions
Many people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) take a large number of different medicines or drugs. When many drugs are taken in combination, dangerous side effects called Drug Interactions can occur. These interaction effects can be especially dangerous for people who already have kidney damage. Certain drugs, when used together, can cause Acute Kidney/Renal Failure in patients with CKD. Learn more »
Additional Kidney Disease Resources
If you have been diagnosed with Kidney Injury, Kidney Disease, or Kidney Failure, there are many organizations and people you can turn to for information and support. We have listed some of the better known resources. Learn more »
Kidney Disease Terms
When you are just beginning to learn about Kidney Disease, you may hear or read words that you do not understand. Our list of commonly used terms can make the topics on our kidney site clearer. Learn more »