Black and Hispanic Patients on Dialysis Have Higher Rates of Staph Bloodstream Infections

2023-06-14T14:10:31-04:00June 14th, 2023|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, Dialysis, Early Intervention, Stages of Kidney Disease, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen|

Actions to Reduce Inequities Can Save Lives CDC Newsroom Media Statement – Originally published February 6, 2023 Contact: Media Relations, (404) 639-3286 Adults on dialysis treatment for end-stage kidney disease were 100 times more likely to have a Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bloodstream infection than adults not on dialysis during 2017–2020, according to a new Vital Signs report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than half of people in the U.S. receiving dialysis belong to a racial or ethnic minority group—about 1 in every 3 people receiving dialysis is Black and 1 in every 5 [...]

A Step Forward: Inhibiting APOL1 (Gene) to Treat Kidney Disease

2023-06-07T16:45:09-04:00June 5th, 2023|Categories: Early Intervention, eNews, Medication|

By V. Scantlebury, MD, FACS, DPC Education Center Healthcare Consultant A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine by Egbuna and colleagues (1) reported that in a small study, patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) who are homozygous for the variants in the gene encoding apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) when treated with the drug Inaxaplin, (which inhibits APOL1 function) demonstrated significantly reduced protein excretion. Inaxaplin is the first investigational therapy that is directed at treating  APOL1-mediated kidney disease. Why is this significant? There is a disproportionate burden of chronic kidney disease in persons of African ancestry. FSGS and other [...]

Participating in a Clinical Trial

2020-08-21T13:11:16-04:00August 21st, 2020|Categories: Additional Resources, Early Intervention, eNews, Home Hemodialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Peritoneal Dialysis, Treatment, Webinar|

New medical treatments and products are continually being developed for people living with kidney disease. Part of the development process for high quality, scientific, and safe options is through research to test the treatment or product before it becomes available on the market. This phase of research is called a clinical trial or a clinical research project. People can volunteer to be part of a clinical trial if they meet the specific requirements for the study. You might consider participating in the research process for many reasons including if it has a personal meaning for you or if you want to [...]

Treatments and Modality Options for Kidney Disease

2020-04-27T21:20:50-04:00October 21st, 2019|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, Early Intervention, eNews, Home Hemodialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Peritoneal Dialysis, Stages of Kidney Disease, Symptoms, Webinar, What Causes Kidney Disease|

During this webinar you will learn: 1) how kidneys work, 2) about chronic kidney disease stages and symptoms, 3) how to slow progression, 4) end stage options for treatment and 5) about accesses. About the Presenter: Joanne Smith is a DPC Education Center Advisory Council member and has had multiple positions in the dialysis field since receiving her RN degree, ranging from Staff RN to Director of Nursing to Home Therapies Manager. She is currently a Kidney Care Advocate responsible for educating CKD and ESRD patients on kidney disease and options for treatment, focusing specifically on home dialysis. Unlike in other nursing [...]

Diabetes and Kidney Disease: Can You Get Better?

2020-04-27T21:21:17-04:00August 23rd, 2019|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, Early Intervention, eNews, Webinar, What Causes Kidney Disease|Tags: |

During this webinar you will learn: 1) How Diabetes Affects Your Kidneys, 2) How Controlling Diabetes Improves Health and Well Being and 3) Three Proven Strategies for Controlling or Reversing Diabetes. David Spero has been a nurse for 40 years, has lived with a chronic illness for 30 years, writes regularly for Diabetes Self-Management magazine and web site and for other health publications. He is author of The Art of Getting Well: Maximizing Health When You Have a Chronic Illness (Hunter House 2003), and Diabetes: Sugar Coated Crisis – Who gets it, who profits, and how to stop it (New Society [...]

The Gap Between US Veterans and Kidney Doctors

2020-04-27T21:21:18-04:00August 13th, 2019|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, Early Intervention, eNews, Stages of Kidney Disease|

Less than 60 percent of US Veterans with advanced stages of kidney disease (eGFR <30) receive care from a nephrologist. This is important as kidney disease is 34 percent higher among veterans than the general population. In addition, seeing a nephrologist could delay the progression of the disease and prevent other health issues from emerging. The percentage of veterans that work with a nephrologist varies by age, with patients over 69 being least likely. The data suggests that additional efforts need to be made to ensure veterans with kidney disease are getting the care they need. Read the full article. Understand [...]

Kidney Disease and HIV

2022-07-12T13:15:34-04:00June 13th, 2019|Categories: Early Intervention, eNews, Lifestyle, Physical Health, Sex and Intimacy, What Causes Kidney Disease|

People with HIV are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease. In addition, some HIV medications can affect the kidneys. Getting tested for HIV, understanding your risk, and living a healthy life are steps you can make to better control your health. National HIV Testing Day is June 27, and the DPC Education Center encourages everyone to get tested for HIV. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. Many people with HIV don’t have any symptoms. In the United States, 1 in 7 people living [...]

Free Monthly Webinars/Conference Calls

2020-04-27T21:22:03-04:00March 21st, 2019|Categories: About DPC Ed Center, Costs for Treatment, Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, Early Intervention, Employment, Home Hemodialysis, Humor and Laughter, Immunizations, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Lifestyle, Medication, Mental Health, Music, Nutrition, Pediatric Kidney Disease, Peritoneal Dialysis, Physical Health, Sex and Intimacy, Stages of Kidney Disease, Stress Management, Support, Symptoms, The Kidney Citizen, Webinar, What Causes Kidney Disease|

The DPC Education Center invites people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), end-stage renal disease (ESRD), their families and professional staff to join us for our monthly webinars. You can also join by phone or view the recordings online at a later time. The webinars are planned for the fourth Thursday of the month at 2 p.m. Eastern time zone, except for November and December when they will be held during the third week of the month. You can download monthly webinar fliers to share with others and/or register for webinars at www.dpcedcenter.org/news-events/education-webinars. Join by phone by calling 1-877- 399-5186 and [...]

Work Those Kidneys Out!

2020-04-27T21:22:05-04:00February 23rd, 2019|Categories: Early Intervention, Fact Sheet, Lifestyle, Physical Health, The Kidney Citizen|

By Collette Powers, MA, RDN, LDN, ACSM EP-C We have all heard it, and we all know it. We have been told from our doctor, a friend or a loved one. Whether it is for controlling high cholesterol, managing weight, reducing blood sugar or keeping our bodies healthy overall, we have all been told at some point we should exercise. But did you know exercise may help protect your kidneys too? Fatigue is a common struggle that many patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face. When we are tired, our instinct is to rest. However, over time, that “rest” can [...]

Dialysis Patients Looking to Quit Smoking May Be Eligible for Free Counseling Sessions

2020-04-27T21:22:59-04:00November 30th, 2018|Categories: Costs for Treatment, Early Intervention, eNews, What Causes Kidney Disease|Tags: |

Smoking cigarettes can damage your kidneys. Quitting smoking may help your blood pressure, which can lower your risk for having heart attack or stroke. Individuals with high blood pressure have a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease (1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure may have chronic kidney disease). Medicare Part B covers up to eight counseling sessions centered around quitting smoking during a 12-month period. Make sure your healthcare professional is recognized by Medicare and accepts Medicare’s payment. Visit Medicare’s website for more information.

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