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September is National Sepsis Awareness Month

2025-09-11T10:33:57-04:00September 11th, 2025|Categories: eNews, Physical Health, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy|

SEPSIS? What is sepsis? What are the signs and symptoms of sepsis? Is sepsis fatal? Sepsis is a life-threatening infection that can be fatal. Dialysis patients and all patients must be aware of the signs and symptoms and advise their medical providers immediately about their respective concerns. This is a serious matter and must never be taken lightly. The sooner it is identified, the better the outcome! The following article has been retrieved from the Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sepsis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351214 Overview Sepsis is a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection. The infection-fighting processes turn on the body, [...]

Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease News Update

2025-08-08T12:28:07-04:00August 8th, 2025|Categories: eNews, Physical Health, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy|

Are you anemic? What is anemia? Chronic kidney disease is a leading factor in anemia because when the kidneys are damaged, they cannot produce enough erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. Iron deficiency and inflammation can also be other factors that can cause anemia.  Why is this news? Patients who have chronic kidney disease are often told that they are anemic but may not understand the term or the causes.  This article will help to explain the causes, symptoms and treatment for anemia. The following article is retrieved from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive [...]

You Are What You Eat!

2025-07-09T12:44:01-04:00July 8th, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, eNews, Kidney Transplant, News & Events, Nutrition, Physical Health, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy|

Hypertension and diabetes are two known risk factors for chronic kidney disease. It is vital that all patients follow a renal diet whether on dialysis or transplanted. Sodium and potassium must always be monitored by obtaining the appropriate labs. It is also extremely important to consult with a nutritionist or dietitian to ensure that the proper diet is followed, especially if one is experiencing problems with hypertension and/or diabetes. Proper nutrition is a key factor in living your best life!  Of course, your nephrologist and/or general practitioner should always monitor your overall health concerns. We urge you to read this [...]

Let’s Get Away!

2025-06-09T16:40:04-04:00June 4th, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, eNews, Hemodialysis, Home Hemodialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, Lifestyle, News & Events, Nutrition, Peritoneal Dialysis, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, Treatment|

Are you ready to take a small trip, a vacation or a weekend getaway? Every month, we bring you current renal news articles but we have decided to focus on travel tips for renal patients. Many patients are reluctant to travel for many reasons but hopefully, these tips will help you to feel more confident as you plan to travel. Get excited, plan a trip, enjoy the summer! The following tips are being shared with you from DaVita Kidney Care (www.davita.com). Vacation on Dialysis  People on dialysis can enjoy different types of vacations. You can set sail on a cruise ship, book a [...]

Why Medicare’s Payment System Keeps New Dialysis Drugs from Reaching Patients

2025-05-07T13:39:04-04:00May 7th, 2025|Categories: Costs for Treatment, Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Medication, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen|

Jackson Williams, DPC Vice President of Public Policy Payment bundling is a technique Medicare uses to increase efficiency and reduce low-value care during a treatment episode. Congress adopted a payment bundle for dialysis a decade ago and for several years it worked well. But trade-offs are inherent in bundles and there is always potential for a negative impact on consumers. This negative experience has arrived for dialysis patients in the form of non—prescribing of new drugs. Patients are missing out on improvements to their health and quality of life. A bundled payment sets a maximum price for all [...]

A Faithful Kidney Patient Caregiver’s Journey

2025-05-07T13:34:15-04:00May 7th, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen|

Sheree Stephens, DPC Patient Ambassador I would describe being a kidney patient caregiver to my husband as inspiring, beautiful, and life changing. Ken has fought kidney failure for years, and I’ve stood beside him every step of the way. The journey can be, at times, stressful and tiring but with strong communication and a strong relationship with God, the journey is not nearly as overwhelming. When we met in 2010, he told me upfront his kidneys were failing. I heard him, but love doesn’t calculate risks. We built a life together, knowing challenges would come. In 2016, they [...]

Preventing Infections in Hemodialysis

2025-06-11T10:54:18-04:00May 7th, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Lifestyle, Physical Health, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen, Treatment|

Dr. Anil Agarwal, Nephrologist Download PDF Article Descargar artículo en PDF For patients undergoing hemodialysis, infection prevention is not just a recommendation, it’s a necessity. Hemodialysis patients have a compromised immune system and face a heightened risk of infections, which can affect their lives in a multitude of ways. Many suffer from bloodstream infections, which can lead to hospitalization and even life-threatening complications like sepsis. Catheter-related infections and skin infections near the vascular access site, also quite common, can put patients in the hospital as well. Any of these infections can delay hemodialysis patients’ upcoming kidney [...]

Phosphorus: A Hidden Challenge in Dialysis

2025-05-07T13:30:08-04:00May 7th, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, Medication, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen, Treatment|

Natalie Zuniga, DCP Board Vice President I was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) – or kidney failure – soon after a heart attack seven years ago. Like many ESRD patients upon diagnosis, I immediately thought of my mortality and what my death would mean for my family. But I knew that kidney failure wasn’t a death sentence. My husband, Eddie, had been on dialysis for five years when I was diagnosed with ESRD, so he gave me a sense of what life with kidney failure would mean. Today, we navigate dialysis treatment together, including the strict [...]

Patience and Strength: A Caregiver’s Journey

2025-05-07T13:29:06-04:00May 7th, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, Quality of Life, The Kidney Citizen, Treatment|

Christopher James, DPC Patient Ambassador Caring for a loved one with kidney failure requires confronting serious challenges, making significant sacrifices, and pushing through intense emotions. My name is Christopher James, and for years I have been a kidney patient caregiver to multiple family members, including my wife, Niesha Neal. Through my experience, I’ve learned that fulfilling the role of a kidney patient caregiver comes down to patience, perseverance, and love. My caregiving journey started with my brother, who began dialysis many years ago. With help from my background in biomedical technology, I took on the role of learning [...]

The Importance of Immunizations for People with Kidney Disease

2025-05-07T13:28:03-04:00May 7th, 2025|Categories: Dialysis, Immunizations, Kidney Transplant, Physical Health, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen|

Rebecca Schmidt, DO Jeffrey Silberzweig, MD Kristina Bryant, MD Written On Behalf of the American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Community Vaccination Collaborative Introduction Living with kidney disease presents unique health challenges, including an increased susceptibility to infections. Immunizations play a crucial role in protecting people with kidney disease, including those on dialysis or with a kidney transplant, from preventable diseases. This article will discuss the importance of vaccines in general and those protecting against respiratory illness specifically, the risks associated with not being vaccinated, and concerns related to misinformation on vaccination decisions. [...]

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