One of main goals is to decrease the number of medications the patient is on and interestingly enough, with the most compliant patients in able to eliminate medications.

Kidney Transplantation

Healthy kidneys clean your blood by removing excess fluid, minerals and wastes. They also make hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy. When kidneys fail, harmful wastes build up in your body, your blood pressure may rise, and your body may retain excess fluid and not make enough red blood cells. When this happens, you need treatment to replace the work of your failed kidneys.For people with advanced and permanent kidney failure, kidney transplantation may be the treatment option that allows them to live much like before the kidneys failed.

Also called: Renal transplantation, a kidney transplantation is an operation that places a healthy kidney in your body. The transplanted kidney takes over the work of the two kidneys that failed, and you no longer need dialysis.

During a transplant, the surgeon places the new kidney in your lower abdomen and connects the artery and vein of the new kidney to your artery and vein. Your blood flows through the new kidney, which makes urine, just like your own kidneys did when they were healthy. Unless they are causing an infection or high blood pressure, your own kidneys are left in place.

Many transplanted kidneys come from donors who have died. Kidneys are assigned to the best match regardless of geographic region. The Federal Government monitors policies and regulations to ensure that every person waiting for an organ has a fair chance. The wait for a new kidney can be long.

Kidney donations can come from a living family member or from an unrelated living person. Potential donors need to be tested to make sure that donating a kidney won’t endanger their health, and for matching factors. Most people can donate their kidney with little risk. The advantages are that there is no waiting period and they are more likely to be good matches.People who have transplants must take drugs to keep their body from rejecting the new kidney for a prolonged period of time.

Dr. McDowall treats various kidney disorders like acid-base disorders, electrolyte disorders, uncontrolled high blood pressure, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), acute kidney disease, chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. Dr. McDowall will run diagnostic tests including blood and urine tests and kidney ultrasound on site to determine your condition and the appropriate treatment.

Don’t hesitate to discuss any aspect of your health. We can advise and consult with you on your nutrition, level of activity, and other things that can have an effect on your blood pressure, and kidneys.