Kidney and Renal Conditions

Kidney Conditions We Treat

Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis) – This serious condition typically occurs when an untreated urinary tract infection moves from the urethra and bladder to one or both kidneys. Symptoms often include pain in the kidney area and frequent urination accompanied by fever/chills. The condition may appear quite rapidly without any previous symptoms or may represent a known, chronic condition. While treatable, this is a potentially life-threatening condition, which requires immediate medical attention.

Kidney Stones – This common condition involves the formation of a stone-like accumulation of minerals, crystals and salts (such as calcium, uric acid and oxalate) within the kidney, typically caused by failure to drink an adequate amount of fluid. Symptoms include severe, intense pain with sudden onset, painful and/or frequent urination, nausea and vomiting. Smaller “stones” may pass with the urine (a process that may be quite painful). Larger stones may require manual removal.

Kidney Stone Disease – Recurrent formation of kidney stones. Imaging and diagnostic studies may determine whether the disease is associated with a metabolic condition.

Kidney Pain – Sudden, severe kidney pain often represents a medical emergency and should be treated as such. Pain and discomfort of varying degrees may be associated with a wide range of conditions including dehydration, kidney cysts, stones, tumors, blood clots and/or bleeding in the kidneys, polycystic kidney disease, infection, and hydronephrosis (kidney swelling).

Kidney Cysts – These rounded, fluid-filled sacs form in and on the kidneys. These simple cysts commonly occur as a normal, painless part of the aging process. In some cases, many cysts may form, resulting in swollen kidneys, poor kidney function, and possible eventual kidney failure (as is possible with untreated polycystic kidney disease). Symptoms may include pain in the back and lower sides, blood in the urine, and headaches.

Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer) – This rare condition includes 3 main subtypes (Clear Cell RCC, Papillary RCC, and Chromophobe RCC) as well as several additional subtypes, which are even more rare. All involve abnormal cell growth within the tubules of the kidney. Most of these carcinomas respond well to treatment with early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Unfortunately, symptoms are rare before the condition progresses but may include a lump on the back, side, or abdomen, bloody urine, poor appetite and weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, fever, high blood calcium levels, anemia, and high blood pressure.