Kidney Disease Care in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans are diagnosed with kidney disease or related urinary problems. In Michigan and here in Grand Rapids, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing concern, especially with high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and an aging population.

Local health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health all provide specialized kidney (nephrology) care. The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health also offer screening and education programs that can help with early detection.

What Is Kidney Disease?

Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located in your lower back. They act as your body’s natural filtration system:

  • They filter your blood about 12 times per hour
  • They remove excess water, waste products, and chemicals
  • They produce hormones that control blood pressure, red blood cell production, and bone health

Kidney disease occurs when the kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood effectively. Waste and extra fluid then build up in the body, which can lead to serious health problems including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

Why Kidney Disease Is Called a “Silent Disease”

Chronic kidney disease is often called a silent disease because there may be few or no symptoms until the kidneys are badly damaged. You can lose up to 90% of kidney function before noticing symptoms.

Possible Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Disease

See a Grand Rapids healthcare provider if you notice:

  • Blood in your urine (hematuria)
  • Changes in how your urine looks (dark, foamy, or persistently frothy urine)
  • Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
  • Puffiness or swelling in your legs, ankles, feet, or around the eyes (edema)
  • Pain or aching in your back under the lower ribs (where the kidneys are located)
  • Pain or burning when you urinate
  • High blood pressure
  • Tiredness and difficulty concentrating
  • Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Persistent itching
  • A metallic taste in your mouth or bad breath

If you have any of these symptoms, contact your primary care provider in Grand Rapids or an urgent care clinic at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health.

Why Kidney Disease Matters in Grand Rapids and Michigan

Michigan’s cold winters, changing seasons, and lifestyle patterns can affect kidney health:

  • High blood pressure and diabetes are common in West Michigan and are leading causes of chronic kidney disease.
  • Dehydration can occur in both hot, humid summers and dry, heated indoor winter environments, which can strain the kidneys.
  • Older adults in Grand Rapids, especially those over 60, are at higher risk for kidney problems.

Local organizations like the Kent County Health Department often promote screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney health—especially important for residents in the Grand Rapids metro area.

Major Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease

You are at higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease if you:

  • Have high blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Have diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
  • Have established heart disease (heart failure, previous heart attack) or have had a stroke
  • Are over 60 years of age
  • Are obese (body mass index over 30)
  • Smoke or use tobacco products
  • Have a family history of kidney failure or kidney disease
  • Have had an episode of acute kidney injury in the past

If you have any of these risk factors and live in the Grand Rapids area, ask your doctor at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health about a kidney health check.

High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease

How High Blood Pressure Damages the Kidneys

High blood pressure can:

  • Damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys
  • Narrow the main artery to one or both kidneys (renal artery stenosis)
  • Reduce blood flow to kidney tissue
  • Cause scarring and loss of kidney function over time

How Kidney Disease Raises Blood Pressure

The kidneys help control blood pressure by:

  • Regulating the amount of salt and fluid in the body
  • Producing a hormone called renin, which affects blood vessel constriction

When kidneys are damaged, they may retain too much salt and water and produce abnormal levels of hormones. This can cause or worsen high blood pressure, creating a cycle that further harms the kidneys.

Diabetes and Kidney Disease

About 20–30% of people with diabetes develop a type of kidney disease called diabetic nephropathy, which is the leading cause of kidney failure.

High blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys over time. This can:

  • Lead to protein leaking into the urine
  • Reduce the kidneys’ filtering ability
  • Increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, and eye damage

Residents of Grand Rapids with diabetes should have regular kidney checks with their primary care provider or endocrinologist, and many local clinics offer diabetes education and management programs.

Kidney Disease and Cardiovascular Risk

Compared with the general population, people with chronic kidney disease are two to three times more likely to develop cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems, such as:

  • Angina (chest pain)
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Heart failure
  • High blood pressure

Why Chronic Kidney Disease Increases Heart Risk

Kidney disease raises cardiovascular risk in several ways:

  • Blood pressure regulation: Damaged kidneys can’t regulate salt, fluid, and renin properly, leading to high blood pressure.
  • Fluid overload: Holding excess fluid strains the heart and can cause left ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement of the left heart chamber), which may lead to heart failure.
  • Calcium and bone hormone changes: Kidneys help regulate calcium and vitamin D. Damage can lead to calcified (stiffened) arteries and heart valves, increasing heart disease risk.
  • Abnormal cholesterol: Some people with kidney disease have increased LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, partly due to hormone disturbances.
  • Increased blood clotting: Blood in people with certain kidney diseases or kidney failure is more prone to clotting, raising the risk of heart attack, stroke, and clots in kidney arteries.

Cardiologists and nephrologists in Grand Rapids often work together to manage both heart and kidney health, especially at large health systems like Corewell Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

How Kidney Disease Is Diagnosed

If kidney disease is suspected, your provider will usually order a kidney health check, which may include:

Urine Tests

  • Albumin (protein) and blood in urine:
    • Detects “leaky” kidneys that are allowing protein or blood to pass into the urine.
  • Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (urine ACR):
    • Preferred test for detecting protein in the urine.
    • Measures how much albumin (a type of protein) is present relative to creatinine.

How often?

  • At least once a year if you have diabetes or high blood pressure
  • Every two years if you have other risk factors

Your sample is sent to a laboratory—local hospital labs in Grand Rapids or independent labs—to be analyzed.

Blood Tests

  • Creatinine: A waste product from muscle tissue used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR), the best measure of kidney function.
    • Normal GFR: > 90 mL/min/1.73 m²
    • Persistent GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² for at least three months confirms chronic kidney disease.
  • Other blood tests may check for:
    • Anemia (low red blood cells or hemoglobin)
    • High potassium (hyperkalemia)
    • Low sodium (hyponatremia)
    • High acid levels (acidosis)
    • Changes in calcium and other minerals

Most Grand Rapids hospitals and clinics can perform these tests on-site, with fast turnaround times.

Imaging Tests

Imaging studies help assess kidney size, structure, and any blockages or stones:

  • Ultrasound
    • Uses sound waves to create a picture of the kidneys and urinary tract
    • Can show kidney size, kidney stones, and blood vessel blockages
  • X-rays
    • May be used to look for kidney stones and structural problems
  • CT (Computed Tomography) scan
    • Uses x-rays and computer technology to create detailed images of the urinary tract
  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
    • Uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create 3D images of the kidneys and urinary tract
  • Cystogram or voiding cystourethrogram
    • X-ray tests of the bladder before and after urination

These imaging services are widely available at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital, and other imaging centers across the city.

Biopsy for Kidney Disease

A kidney biopsy involves removing a small piece of kidney tissue for microscopic examination:

  • The doctor inserts a special needle through the back under local anesthesia to obtain the tissue sample.
  • This can confirm the type of kidney disease and the degree of damage.

A bladder biopsy may also be done during a cystoscopy, where a thin tube (cystoscope) is passed through the urethra into the bladder to view the lining and take tissue samples if needed.

Nephrologists in Grand Rapids—often based at major hospital systems—perform these procedures when necessary.

Treatment Options for Kidney Disease in Grand Rapids

Treatment depends on the cause and stage of kidney disease. Goals include slowing progression, managing symptoms, and reducing the risk of heart disease and kidney failure.

Lifestyle Changes

Healthy lifestyle choices to support kidney function include:

  • Eat a kidney-friendly diet

    • Plenty of fruits and vegetables
    • Legumes (peas and beans)
    • Whole grains such as bread, pasta, noodles, and rice
    • Lean proteins like chicken and fish
    • Limit salty, processed, and fatty foods
    • Minimize sugary soft drinks—choose water instead

  • Drink enough water

    • Stay well-hydrated year-round; in West Michigan winters, indoor heating can increase dehydration risk even when you don’t feel thirsty.

  • Maintain a healthy weight

    • Aim for a healthy BMI with balanced nutrition and regular activity.

  • Stay active

    • Do at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
    • Use Grand Rapids’ many parks and trails when weather permits; in winter, consider indoor walking tracks, gyms, or mall walking.

  • Quit smoking

    • Smoking damages blood vessels and speeds up kidney and heart disease.
    • Ask your Grand Rapids provider about local smoking cessation programs or call national quitlines for support.

  • Limit alcohol

    • Excessive drinking can raise blood pressure and harm the kidneys.

  • Manage stress

    • Try relaxation techniques, counseling, or support groups; local health systems and community centers often offer stress management programs.

Medications

Your Grand Rapids healthcare provider may prescribe medications to:

  • Control high blood pressure (often ACE inhibitors or ARBs)
  • Manage diabetes and blood sugar levels
  • Lower cholesterol
  • Treat anemia
  • Correct mineral and bone disorders

It’s common to need more than one type of blood pressure medication. Doses may change over time based on your response and test results.

Dialysis and Kidney Transplant

If kidney function falls below 10% of normal, you may need:

  • Dialysis

    • A treatment that filters waste and extra water from the blood using a machine or special fluid in the abdomen.
    • Available at dialysis centers across Grand Rapids, often affiliated with Corewell Health, Trinity Health, or private dialysis providers.

  • Kidney transplant

    • A healthy kidney from a donor is surgically placed into your body.
    • Transplant evaluation and follow-up may be coordinated through major Michigan transplant centers, with pre- and post-care managed locally in Grand Rapids.

Early referral to a nephrologist (kidney specialist) is crucial to delay or prevent the need for dialysis or transplant.

Preventing Kidney Disease in Grand Rapids

You can lower your risk of kidney disease by:

  • Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables
  • Drinking enough water throughout the year
  • Staying physically active (at least 30 minutes most days)
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Not smoking—and getting help to quit if you do
  • Limiting alcohol intake
  • Having your blood pressure and blood sugar checked regularly
  • Managing stress with healthy coping strategies

Primary care clinics, community health centers, and the Kent County Health Department in Grand Rapids can help with screening, lifestyle counseling, and referrals.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are concerned about kidney disease or have risk factors:

  • Talk to your GP (primary care doctor) at any Grand Rapids clinic or health system
  • Ask for a kidney health check (urine ACR, blood tests, blood pressure check)
  • Request a referral to a nephrologist at:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – Grand Rapids
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health

You can also find information and support from national kidney organizations and local public health resources.

Key Points About Kidney Disease

  • Kidney disease is often a “silent disease” with few or no symptoms in the early stages.
  • You can lose up to 90% of kidney function before noticing symptoms.
  • Early detection through urine and blood tests can slow or even prevent progression.
  • High blood pressure and diabetes are the leading causes of chronic kidney disease in Grand Rapids and across Michigan.
  • Chronic kidney disease greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is the most common cause of death in people with ongoing kidney disease.
  • Healthy lifestyle choices, regular check-ups, and timely treatment can help protect your kidneys and your heart.