The Case for Personalized Kidney Screening for People with Type 1 Diabetes

2022-11-09T09:05:58-05:00November 3rd, 2022|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, eNews, Physical Health|

A new analysis by the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study group (funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health) makes a strong case for taking a more personalized approach to screening people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) for kidney disease. New findings suggest that urinary albumin excretion rate (AER) could be personalized to individuals with T1D to decrease costs and increase the rate of early detection. People with T1D have about a 50% risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) over their lifetime; if individuals who are [...]

New Study Shows Age-Related Kidney Function Differs by Gender

2022-09-08T09:47:58-04:00September 8th, 2022|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, eNews, Stages of Kidney Disease, What Causes Kidney Disease|

A study of 1,837 people aged 50-62, which replicated accurate measurements of kidney function in health women and men over time, may partly explain why more women are diagnosed with early CKD and more men develop severe CKD and kidney failure as they age. The baseline mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 90 ml/min/1.73 m.2 for women and 98 ml/min/1.73m.2 for men (P<0.001). However, additional measurements over 11 years of follow-up showed that men experienced a mean decrease in GFR 25% more than women. The study, published in Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JSN) showed that the relationship [...]

My Experience as a Kidney Patient in CKD, Dialysis, and Transplant

2022-05-09T12:48:26-04:00April 25th, 2022|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, Dialysis, Home Hemodialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Stages of Kidney Disease, The Kidney Citizen|

By Orlando A. Torres After a 30-year battle with chronic kidney disease (CKD), in 2016 I had Stage Five kidney failure. This was the end of a three-decade battle which took countless hours of treatment. For years, I had been followed medically for CKD, having a special test done monthly and eating a special diet. As a CKD patient, my condition affected other organs in my body. The number of regular activities I could do also declined, but I never quit and refused to accept those limitations. I never let CKD limit what I did. I think it is [...]

Better Late than Never: Genetic Diagnosis After Major Medical Events

2022-03-29T15:19:53-04:00December 17th, 2021|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, The Kidney Citizen, What Causes Kidney Disease|

By Dawn Laney, MS You have two doctors for your kidneys, one for your heart, one for your head, one for your eyes, and one for your overall health. You are tested, biopsied, and imaged from head to toe on a regular basis. So, when one of these doctors suggests a referral to genetics, you may wonder, “Another doctor? Is it still worth seeking a genetic diagnosis as an adult who has already had kidney failure?” The answer is a resounding “Yes!” One way to improve care in a medically complicated situation is by learning if an underlying genetic condition could [...]

A New Look on Life

2020-12-11T12:20:56-05:00December 23rd, 2020|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, The Kidney Citizen|

By Michael Ramirez The worst day of my life became the best day of my life. ''Your kidneys are failing," my physician said to me. My first thought, "What does that mean?" My doctor confirmed, "You need to see a specialist." I learned that a nephrologist is a kidney doctor, and that was the type of specialist I needed. I trusted my doctor so I asked, "Who should I see? Who do you trust?" My doctor referred me to his choice of nephrologist—and so I made an appointment right away. If your doctor says you need to see a nephrologist, don’t [...]

Care Coordination Fixes One of the Biggest Flaws in the American Health Care System

2020-12-15T14:02:04-05:00July 6th, 2020|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, In-Center Hemodialysis, The Kidney Citizen|Tags: , |

By Gloria Rohrer, DPC Patient Ambassador As a dialysis patient, it has become clear to me that one of the biggest flaws in the American health care system is the disjointed way care is often provided to patients. If patients have chronic conditions alongside other health complications, it can be exceedingly difficult to navigate the different doctors and hospitals we need in order to receive proper care. When seeing so many different doctors at various clinics and hospitals, patients like me can suffer adverse effects if all our treatments are not designed to address our full medical history, rather than a [...]

Reflections from 45 Years on Dialysis

2020-12-15T13:58:50-05:00May 2nd, 2020|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, In-Center Hemodialysis, Pediatric Kidney Disease, The Kidney Citizen|Tags: , |

By Jack Reynolds, DPC Board Member I have survived on in-center hemodialysis for the last 45 years. I have also received Medicare for all those years to pay for most of my dialysis and other medical needs. I currently reside outside the village of Palmyra, Iowa. One of the first group of Patient Ambassadors to advocate in Washington, D.C. in 2005, I have visited Capitol Hill many times since. Because of the cost, time and effort it takes to keep a kidney patient healthy, I feel that it is important to be aware of issues and legislation that can impact our [...]

New Resources for Teens

2020-04-27T21:20:25-04:00March 2nd, 2020|Categories: Additional Resources, Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, eNews, Fact Sheet, Home Hemodialysis, Humor and Laughter, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Lifestyle, Medication, Nutrition, Pediatric Kidney Disease, Peritoneal Dialysis, Stress Management, Support, Symptoms|Tags: |

These booklets were developed for tweens and teens who learn their kidneys are not working and they will need dialysis or a transplant. The booklets provide a brief overview of coping with kidney disease, being part of their health care team, the importance of diet, taking medication, and treatment methods. They also touch on feelings related to having a chronic illness, family and friends, and being a teen. The development of both booklets included input from kids currently on dialysis, parents, adults who had kidney disease as children, and nephrologists.  Although both booklets are similar, one focuses on teens who learn [...]

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 [...]

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