Dr. Billy Gilbert: A Fresh New Face Confronting Renal Disease
African Americans are leading in the race to our graves. Although African Americans make up only about 12% of the population of the United States, they account for up to 32% of renal disease victims. Of all ethnicities, African Americans are the most likely to develop renal disease and they acquire the illness at an earlier age. Though these statistics are alarming they can be changed.
According to Dr. Billy Gilbert, the newest doctor to join the Renal Specialists of Houston, the two main contestants in this deadly race are the frequent occurrences of diabetes and high blood pressure among African Americans. “There are also some genetic components as well,” said Dr. Gilbert, who went on to speak about a specific gene that has recently been discovered to cause hypertension and kidney disease. He also cited socioeconomic factors and decrease access to healthcare as reasons for the likelihood of African Americans being afflicted with renal disease.
Of all the variables that precipitate the onset of kidney disease, the ones best controlled by the patient are diet and exercise. Since Dr. Gilbert enlightened me about some studies that have found that African Americans have a higher salt sensitivity, it has become even more important for people to be aggressively conscience about what they put in their mouths. More fruits and vegetables need to be added to the diet and less fried foods and carbohydrates. More people need to get up and get moving for a healthier outlook and future.
In spite of this knowledge the incidence of kidney disease in African Americans is on the rise. The lack of symptoms in those most prone to develop the disease could possibly be responsible for the incline. “Unfortunately, kidney disease is one of those almost symptomless diseases where symptoms appear at the end of the most crucial stages, similar to high blood pressure,” said Dr. Gilbert. The disease is categorized in five stages that are based on the level of damage to the kidney or glomerular filtration rate (GFR). When patients’ GFR goes down, their kidneys get worse. They can stay ahead of the game by heeding to suggestions offered by Dr. Gilbert. He advises that people get checkups with their doctor every 1 to 2 years depending on their age. In addition, they should have blood work done once every one to two years to monitor kidney function.
Dr. Gilbert is sincere in his quest to help all people, especially African Americans, in the fight against kidney disease. In fact, his compassion was what prompted him to specialize in nephrology. “I wanted to help people,” he said with full knowledge of the obstacles kidney patients faced in taking care of their health. As one of the newest additions to the Renal Specialists of Houston, P. A. this native Houstonian use the expertise he gained through a two-year nephrology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Gilbert will regularly see patients at the eleven offices throughout the Houston area. He is a 2001 magna cum laude graduate of Morehouse College and a 2005 graduate of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in 2008. Receiving such honors as the Cambridge Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals and the Charlene M. Dewey M. D. Excellence in Ambulatory Care Award, Dr. Gilbert brings a plethora of skills and knowledge to the fight against kidney disease.
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