A hereditary condition means that the condition has been inherited by another family member. Although certain conditions run in your family, you may be able to avoid them completely or manage them if they are caught early. If you suspect that you are prone to a hereditary condition in Des Moines, IA, you should get checked by the team at Iowa Kidney Physicians.

What Is the Connection Between Hereditary Conditions In Des Moines, IA, And Your Kidneys?

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease because high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys. Patients with diabetes who have kidney disease can avoid certain medicines, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can worsen or accelerate kidney disease progression. You can also modify your diet to slow or prevent kidney disease from progressing. 

Many people with diabetes also develop high blood pressure, which can damage your kidneys, especially if you have a predisposition for high blood pressure in your family. Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels. With high blood pressure, your heart works harder to pump blood, which can strain your heart. High blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels in your kidneys, causing them to not filter your blood as well as they should.

You should get checked for hereditary conditions at least once a year at your annual checkup. If they are caught early, these conditions are much easier to treat and manage.

Maintain Your Kidney Health

You can make sure that your kidneys are in excellent health by learning more about diagnosing hereditary conditions in Des Moines, IA. To set up an appointment with the doctors at Iowa Kidney Physicians, you can call us at one of our two locations. To make an appointment, contact our Methodist Plaza location at (515) 336-6557, and our Riverpoint location at (515) 243-3161.