The South Plains Kidney Foundation of West Texas (SPKF) is the leading health organization dedicated to the issues of all renal diseases related to the kidney and urinary tract. The foundation supports programs in research, professional education, patient and community services, public education and organ donation.

The Foundation was founded in 2012 by a group of concerned physicians, businessmen, patients and family members. Our growth has prompted us to expand our services for those who suffer from kidney disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease includes conditions that damage your kidneys and decrease their ability to keep you healthy by doing the jobs listed. If kidney disease gets worse, wastes can build to high levels in your blood and make you feel sick. You may develop complications like high blood pressure, anemia (low blood count), weak bones, poor nutritional health and nerve damage. Also, kidney disease increases your risk of having heart and blood vessel disease. These problems may happen slowly over a long period of time. Chronic kidney disease may be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure and other disorders. Early detection and treatment can often keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse. When kidney disease progresses, it may eventually lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life.

Urinary Tract Disease

A UTI is caused by bacteria getting into the urinary tract and multiplying. The effects are redness, swelling, and pain in the urinary tract. Most UTI's stay in the bladder, but if the bacteria travels up to the kidney's it can cause pyelonephritis. About 80-90 percent of UTI's are caused by more than one type of bacteria, the most common being E-coli. Men are also susceptible to UTI's as well. TO avoid getting a UTI you need to drink plenty of fluids (doctors recommend water and 10 ounces of cranberry juice everyday), urinate when you feel the urge, wipe from back to front to prevent bacteria from the intestines from getting into the urinary tract. UTI's are responsible for nearly 10 million doctor visits a year, and can be effectively treated with antibiotics.

Organ Donation

Many people who need transplants of organs and tissues cannot get them because of a shortage of donations. Every month, more than 2,000 new names are added to the national waiting list for organ transplants. About 20 people die every day while waiting for a transplant of a vital organ such as a kidney, heart or liver.

© 2012-2018 South Plains Kidney Foundation of West Texas