|
The nephrology group of Emory Crawford Long Hospital offers the latest diagnostic and treatment care for a complete range of kidney diseases.
The functions of the kidney include body waste and excess water removal in the form of urine. But the kidneys also help control the body?s blood pressure, aid red blood cell production, balance body chemicals, and maintain strong bones. One in nine adults in the United States has chronic kidney disease. And, more than one million Georgians suffer from kidney or urinary tract diseases; many of these cases, however, are preventable.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when the kidneys aren?t functioning properly, usually over a period of time. Acute renal failure occurs when they fail suddenly, which can be due to a drug or toxin, a severe trauma or even another disease such as diabetes. About 40 percent of all kidney disease is attributed to diabetes-related cases. High blood pressure and autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, also can cause kidney failure. Chronic kidney disease sometimes can be treated for years with innovative medications and techniques. If, however, the kidneys are only functioning at 10-15 percent of full capacity, kidney dialysis usually is necessary.
Dialysis is a treatment process that removes the waste from the blood, effectively replacing the function of the kidneys. Emory Crawford Long Hospital nephrologists offer hemodialysis, an external device that functions as a kidney. We also offer peritoneal dialysis, which involves a surgical procedure to implant a catheter that will function as a dialysis device.
Other kidney diseases our nephrologists treat include but are not limited to:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Kidney stones
- Polycystic kidney disease (cysts on the kidneys)
- Pyelonephritis (a bacterial infection of the kidneys)
- Kidney reflux (when the bladder pushes urine back up into the kidneys)
- Kidney cancer
For more information about Emory Crawford Long Hopsital's Nephrology services or physicians, please call 404-778-2000.
|
