Carolina Nephrology Kidney Wellness Center

Our state of the art Chronic Kidney Disease clinic provides a comprehensive approach to your chronic kidney disease needs.

This includes:

• Patient education focusing on kidney disease, dialysis options, and nutrition
  
• Anemia management using IV iron and Retacrit
  
• Emotional support
  
• Kidney transplant referral
  
• Coordination with primary care physicians, vascular surgeons, and peritoneal dialysis surgeons
  

The clinic is run by Karen Robertson, our doctor nurse practitioner, who has more than 20 years of experience in CKD and dialysis.

About Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a diagnosis given to a person who has a disease or disorder that affects the kidneys. It is divided into five stages and we provide care for patients with all stages of kidney disease.

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located just behind the stomach. They filter various toxins and extra salt and water from the body. They also make hormones that keep your bones strong and blood healthy.

Causes

There are more than 100 disorders, diseases, and conditions that can lead to progressive destruction of the kidneys.

People with diabetes, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) are at risk for kidney disease as well as people with a family history of kidney disease/failure. Disease and infection in other parts of the body can also trigger a kidney disorder.

Findings by the National Kidney Foundation show that African Americans are four times as likely to develop End Stage Renal Disease (a condition where patients need a transplant or dialysis to survive).

Other at-risk groups include American Indians, Hispanic/Latinos, Pacific Islander Americans, older people, and overweight people. These at risk groups and people who have a family history of kidney disease should have their urine tested regularly.

Symptoms

Many times there are no symptoms of kidney disease until late in its course. You may have it, but not know because you don’t feel sick.

Some common warning signs:

• Increased or decreased frequency of urination
  
• Blood in the urine
  
• Swollen hands and feet, puffiness around the eyes
  
• High blood pressure

Diagnosis

At Carolina Nephrology we offer many options for your dialysis care. One of these options is In-Center Hemodialysis. During this particular treatment, dialysis is provided three times a week, either Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday, for an average of four hours each treatment. We work with Davita, US Renal, and Fresenius to offer a convenient time and place for your dialysis.

Our locations include Anderson, Boiling Springs, Clinton/Laurens, Coronaca, Easley, Fountain Inn, Gaffney, downtown Greenville (four locations), Greenwood, Greer (two locations), Lyman, Pendleton, Piedmont, Simpsonville, Spartanburg, and Travelers Rest.

We work diligently with the staff at the dialysis units to provide coordinated and timely care for all your dialysis needs. Our physicians are the medical directors at each of these dialysis units and use the most up-to-date research to guide your care. We provide weekly in person visits to every patient on In-Center Hemodialysis and are available by phone 24 hours each day so we can address issues as they arrive.

Call our main phone number at (864) 271-1844 if you have more questions about our in-center dialysis care.

Treatment

Kidney disease is treated by a combination of methods that include dietary adjustments, medications, and lifestyle modifications. If the kidneys stop working enough to keep you going, their functions can be replaced by dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Talk to your doctor about what options are best for you.

What happens if kidneys fail completely?

If your kidneys stop working completely, your body fills with extra water and waste products. Your hands or feet may swell. You will feel tired and weak because your body needs clean blood to function properly. At this point, you may need dialysis or a kidney transplant to help you feel better.