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COVID-19 Transmission and Understanding Exposure Risks

2024-03-28T20:57:58-04:00September 1st, 2022|Categories: eNews, Physical Health, Staying Healthy|Tags: |

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a series of questions around factors that can determine a lower or higher risk of COVID-19 transmission. These questions are designed so you can assess your risk of exposure and possible transmission in various settings, as well as the likelihood that you were infected if you had recently been around a person with COVID-19. If multiple factors indicate you could be in a higher transmission risk scenario, you  may consider adding more preventative actions or take steps outlined for what to do if you were exposed. As always, you should [...]

Will the COVID-19 Pandemic Ever End?

2024-03-28T20:57:59-04:00August 1st, 2022|Categories: Dialysis, eNews, Immunizations, Mental Health, The Kidney Citizen|Tags: |

By Alan S. Kliger, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, and Chair, Excellence in Patient Care Advisory Committee, American Society of Nephrology Updated October 2022 Some recent quotes I’ve heard - - - I’ll bet you have too: “Who can even pay attention when the subject of COVID-19 is raised?” “Enough already – I’m through with it” “What’s the difference? Even with vaccines and boosters, I still got COVID twice!” After nearly three years of this pandemic, COVID-19 infection has gone from a frightening and deadly disease to a major disruptor of our lives, to [...]

The New 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Has Launched

2024-03-28T20:58:00-04:00July 21st, 2022|Categories: eNews, Mental Health, Support|

As of July 16th, people experiencing a mental health crisis (or their family and friends) can call or text 9-8-8 to reach help. The new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is modeled after 911 in order be easier to remember and provide a quick way for those in crisis to connect to a trained mental health professional, 24/7. The Lifeline is a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, providing free and confidential emotional support, along with connection to local resources, if necessary. When calling into the Lifeline, you will: First hear an automated message – this will outline additional [...]

Finding Your Balance Could Lower Your Risk of Death

2024-03-28T20:58:01-04:00July 5th, 2022|Categories: eNews, Physical Health, Staying Healthy|

A new study out of Brazil shows that being able to stand on one leg for at least 10 seconds is linked to having a lower risk of death over the next seven years. Researchers have found that people who were middle-aged or older who could not perform the 10-second standing test were almost four times as likely to die of any cause in the coming years. While it has been known that falls are a major cause of injury and death worldwide, this new study has shed light on falls not being the only problem of having poor balance. Improving [...]

Blood Sugar Testing to Manage Type 2 Diabetes in Patients Who Don’t Need Insulin

2024-03-28T20:58:05-04:00June 1st, 2022|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Quality of Life, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen|

Checking your blood sugar daily may not help you manage your type 2 diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, it’s important to keep the amount of glucose, or sugar, in your blood at a healthy level. Many patients check their blood sugar at home each day. Patients place a drop of blood from their fingertip onto a test strip; then they insert the strip into a home glucose meter. This test measures your blood sugar level at that moment. People who use insulin check their blood sugar often so that they know how much insulin to take. But if [...]

Telehealth with a Mental Health Professional: What to Know Before You Start

2024-03-28T20:58:07-04:00May 5th, 2022|Categories: Dialysis, eNews, Kidney Transplant, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Stress Management|

By Kirsten Weir If you or a family member are managing chronic kidney disease, you’re probably thinking a lot about physical health—the health of the kidney and the rest of the body. Caring for your mental health is just as important. And with telehealth options that let you see a mental health professional from your home, it’s more convenient than ever. “The increased availability and acceptance of telehealth might be one of the few positive changes to come out of the [COVID-19] pandemic,” says Amy Walters, PhD, a clinical health psychologist and the director of Behavioral Health Services for St. Luke's [...]

Exercise for Both Physical and Mental Health

2024-03-28T20:58:08-04:00May 2nd, 2022|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Physical Health|

It is well known that exercise is important to maintain physical health, but new studies have shown that the benefits of exercise extend to mental health as well. Researchers looked at 15 existing studies that contain data on exercise and depression and have found a correlation between depression risk and physical activity. Even when someone wasn’t exercising as intensely or as often as advised by the US Department of Health and Human Services, there were still significant mental health benefits. The 15 studies used, which included over 191,000 participants total, found that people who did half the recommended amount of physical [...]

Falling by the Wayside? Falls Prevention in Dialysis

2024-03-28T20:58:10-04:00April 25th, 2022|Categories: Dialysis, Fact Sheet, Physical Health, The Kidney Citizen|

By Laura Plantinga, PhD, Bernard Jaar, MD, MPH, and C. Barrett Bowling, MD, MSPH Why are dialysis patients at particular risk for falls? Studies show that approximately one-quarter of dialysis patients fall every year, meaning that they are about three times more likely to fall in any given year, compared to the general population. While older age certainly plays a role, there are several other factors that put dialysis patients — regardless of age — at higher risk for falls. In fact, most falls probably result from a combination of factors, usually a combination of long-term “predisposing” risk factors [...]

The Courage to Self-Cannulate – Taking Control Means Less Pain, More Independence

2024-03-28T20:58:11-04:00April 25th, 2022|Categories: Dialysis, Quality of Life, The Kidney Citizen|

By Michelle Carver, Vice President Clinical Service Initiatives at Fresenius Kidney Care If the idea of self-cannulating every time you dialyze seems impossible, you are not alone. Many people fear needles, especially the large ones used for dialysis. But trust me, when you learn to do it, you’ll wonder why you ever doubted yourself. It gives you control, may make your access site last longer and, believe it or not, hurt less. One of my dialysis patients compared it to putting a cotton-tipped swab in your ear – would you rather do it yourself or have someone else do [...]

To Change or Not to Change?

2024-03-28T20:58:12-04:00April 25th, 2022|Categories: Lifestyle, Mental Health, Nutrition, Physical Health, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen|

By Dr. Stacy Ogbeide, Board Certified Clinical Health Psychologist www.stacyogbeide.com “Why is change so hard?” I hear this statement often from the patients I see in primary care. From taking a medication as prescribed to starting an exercise program – change is hard. Having a chronic health condition like Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) can be difficult because, like many other chronic health conditions, CKD is heavily influenced by lifestyle and behavior modifications. What is a person to do? “I just need to do it.” “I will change when I want to change.” “I will start next week.” “I want [...]

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