We Are Here To Serve You

Thank you for your interest in Oregon Kidney and Hypertension Clinic. We are dedicated to providing personalized and comprehensive chronic kidney disease care to our patients in Portland, McMinnville, Tigard, and the surrounding areas. Our dedicated care team are specialists in the care of kidneys and kidney diseases.

Our goal is to help our patients with chronic kidney disease and hypertension enjoy some of the best quality of life possible and maintain their health at every stage of kidney disease. Using state of the art Electronic Medical Record systems we are able to provide comprehensive, up to date information to the care team on our patient’s healthcare team.

We specialize in the management and treatment of: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Dialysis, Kidney Transplantation, Hypertension and Anemia. Below are brief descriptions of each of these services. For further information, please take a look at our Patient Education page or call us directly at 503-434-1159 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to seeing you. Welcome to our family.

What sets us apart?

OKHC is dedicated to providing the highest quality, compassionate care with service excellence to our patients and the communities we serve. Welcome to our family.

-Respect of Patient’s Values
-Empathy
-Excellence in Medicine and Service
-Integrity
-Availability
-Personalized Kidney Care

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) refers to a gradual and progressive decline in kidney function over time. As the body ages the kidneys age and lose function. This is a slow process that typically does not result in significant impairment. However, some patients have an accelerated decline in kidney function. Diabetes, hypertension, and diseases that attack the internal structure of the kidney are the most common reasons for accelerated decline in kidney function. CKD, when advanced, allows waste products to accumulate in the body and a multitude of symptoms can potentially develop. Symptoms include weight loss or excess weight gain, fatigue, decrease in urine output, loss of appetite, swelling of the body, increased tendency to bruise or bleed, paleness, or even seizures. The role of the nephrologist is to help preserve kidney function as best possible and to prepare or start renal replacement therapy (dialysis or kidney transplant) when symptoms develop.

Please consider calling us for a nephrology consultation if you or your patient has any of the following conditions:
1. Elevated Creatinine (Creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL or GFR < 45 ml/min)
2. Hypertensive Urgency
3. Proteinuria or Hematuria
4. Severe edema or volume overload
5. Recurrent kidney stones

Dialysis is a form of renal replacement therapy. Unfortunately, many patients will lose kidney function (either acutely or chronically) and need a modality to replace the functions of the human kidney. Dialysis can be done in two ways:

Hemodialysis – Blood is taken from the patient’s body to a machine that will act as an artificial kidney. The machine can remove excess fluid, correct electrolytes, remove waste products, buffer acid production, and return the blood to the patient’s body.
Peritoneal Dialysis – Fluid is entered into the abdominal cavity of the patient. It will help remove water, correct electrolytes, remove waste products, and buffer acids to then be drained out of the abdomen.
While many patients receive hemodialysis in an outpatient dialysis facility, both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis can be performed at home. Home dialysis focuses on training patients to perform the task of hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis independently, in the comfort of their own homes, and on their own schedules. If you need to go on dialysis your OKHC nephrologist will work with you to determine which option is best for you and your lifestyle.

For many patients with advanced and chronic kidney disease, a kidney transplant is often the best option. A kidney transplant can provide a better quality of life than dialysis. Patients who receive a kidney transplant typically have more energy, more freedom and a less strict diet. Our team is experienced in helping guide patients through the kidney transplant process.

Hypertension (HTN) = a fancy medical term for high blood pressure.

  • Normal blood pressure: systolic
  • Prehypertension: >120/80 mmHg
  • Hypertension: >140/90 mmHg
  • Blood pressure treatment goals for hypertensive patients: <140/90

Other terminology:

Essential (primary) HTN – The exact cause of this is poorly understood. It may be
a combination of genetic background, race, diet, weight gain, and other environmental factors.

Secondary HTN – High blood pressure that may have a specific underlying cause that is different from “essential HTN.”
Your doctor will determine if you need to be screened for hypertension at one of our Portland area facilities.
Causes: Sleep apnea, Chronic Kidney Disease, disorders of the adrenal gland, narrowing of kidney
arteries, birth control pills, and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (ie. Ibuprofen, naproxen).

Resistant HTN – Blood pressure that is not at goal despite being treated with 3 medications; one of these has to be a diuretic.

At OKHC, we offer a dedicated hypertension clinic with an ASH certified provider and 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring available. Call our office for more information.

Anemia is very common in people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Anemia is a result of not enough red blood cells in your body. Red blood cells are very important as they carry oxygen through your bloodstream, helping your bones, muscles, and organs work properly. Your kidneys help your body make red blood cells with signals from a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO). If you have chronic kidney disease you will lack the EPO to create sufficient red blood cells. Your Portland area nephrologist and healthcare team can work with you to manage your anemia to help you feel better.

  • Electrolyte & Mineral Disorders
  • Kidney Stones
  • Genetic Renal Issues including Poly-cystic Kidney Disease
  • Inflammatory Kidney Disease (Glomerular Disorders)
  • Renal Biposy
  • Acute Kidney Injury
  • Hospital Consultations including ICU Nephrology

Call our offices for details or to schedule an appointment with us.