End Stage Kidney Disease

End stage kidney stage occurs when your kidneys become unable to filter waste products from your blood. End stage kidney disease is the most advanced stage of chronic kidney disease and is often referred to as kidney failure.

Kidney failure is a complex problem that can happen for many reasons such as damage from diabetes or high blood pressure. Many of the processes that lead to irreversible kidney damage (end stage kidney disease) can be treated or slowed down with guidance from a nephrologist if a patient is seen in time.

Many times, kidney failure can occur without any prior warning. Symptoms of kidney failure can include:

• Fatigue
• Swelling
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of appetite/weight
• Nausea/vomiting
• Confusion
• Weight loss
• Chronic anemia
• Heart problems
• Bone disease

If your kidney function should fail to a severe enough degree, you may require dialysis as a life sustaining therapy. There are different forms of dialysis/renal replacement therapy and these will be tailored to help fit your lifestyle and needs in coordination with your kidney doctor. These include in center treatments three times a week or at home therapies as options.

Starting dialysis treatments can be intimidating for patients due to the physical and emotional demands. Our extensive team and onsite staff are available to help you transition as smoothly as possible.

Ultimately, many patients will be eligible for a kidney transplant and we will help to guide you through this process for listing at a transplant center of your choosing.