What is Polycystic Kidney Disease?

2026-09-09T11:55:43-04:00September 9th, 2026|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, News & Events, Pediatric Kidney Disease, Staying Healthy, What Causes Kidney Disease|

Do you know? “Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder that causes many fluid-filled cysts to grow in your kidneys. Unlike the usually harmless simple kidney cysts that can form in the kidneys later in life, PKD cysts can change the shape of your kidneys, including making them much larger. PKD is a form of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that reduces kidney function and may lead to kidney failure. PKD also can cause other complications, or problems, such as high blood pressure, cysts in the liver, and problems with blood vessels in your brain and heart.” Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disorder that causes many fluid-filled cysts to grow in [...]

ESRD Teen Booklets Are Now Available in Spanish

2024-03-28T20:59:49-04:00October 2nd, 2020|Categories: eNews, Pediatric Kidney Disease, Spanish Materials|Tags: |

Our two popular booklets, "Tips for Teens Living with Kidney Disease" and "Kidney Disease Tips for Teens Living with Cystinosis" are now available for download in Spanish. These booklets provide information for teens who learn they have kidney disease. They include a brief overview of living with End stage renal disease, the importance of diet and medication adherence, and potential treatment methods. They also touch on feelings related to having a chronic illness, family and friends, and being a teen. Download the booklets

Reflections from 45 Years on Dialysis

2024-03-28T21:00:13-04:00May 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

2024-03-28T21:00:27-04:00March 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 [...]

Survey: Seeking Advice from Parents of Children with Kidney Disease

2024-03-28T21:00:35-04:00January 25th, 2020|Categories: eNews, Hemodialysis, Medication, Mental Health, Pediatric Kidney Disease|

The DPC Education Center is developing an online program to serve as a resource for parents of children with kidney disease. In order for this program to be successful, we need the guidance of parents willing to share tips and stories about how they helped their child thrive while living with this condition and juggling life's multiple demands. Feedback is needed in the areas of treatment, medication and mental health. If you are a parent of a child with kidney disease and would like to help us with this project, please click this link (or answer the questions in the box [...]

Input Needed for Pediatric CKD Booklet

2024-03-28T20:59:09-04:00May 20th, 2019|Categories: About DPC Ed Center, eNews, Pediatric Kidney Disease|

The DPC Education Center is developing a pediatric booklet for tweens and teens about having kidney disease and its treatment. If you have been living with kidney disease since childhood or are a parent of a child with kidney disease, we’d appreciate your response to this short survey by June 21st. Thanks for your input! If you were diagnosed with kidney disease as a child, click here. If you are a parent of a child with kidney disease, click here.

Premature Birth Increases Kidney Disease Risk

2024-03-28T20:59:10-04:00May 16th, 2019|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, eNews, Pediatric Kidney Disease|

Researchers analyzed over four million singleton live births in Sweden during 1973-2014 and found the risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) was doubled among births before 37 weeks of gestation and tripled among births before 28 weeks. Additionally, researchers found that the risk increased by four percent per premature week. Scientists compared the data to siblings born full-term and found the increased risk for kidney disease was not present among the siblings. The researchers concluded, "Preterm and early term birth are strong risk factors for the development of CKD from childhood into mid-adulthood. People born prematurely need long term follow-up for [...]

Psychosocial Factors Affecting Children and Families Living with Chronic Illness

2024-03-28T20:59:12-04:00May 6th, 2019|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Pediatric Kidney Disease, Support, Webinar|

During this webinar, Amy Walters, PhD, Clinical Psychologist will discuss: 1) the psychological and emotional side effects of chronic illness on children and families, 2) how illness impacts different stages of childhood development, 3) common concerns reported by parents and children and 4) ways to support children and their families in coping with chronic illness. About the Presenter Amy Walters, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and the Director of Behavioral Health Services for St. Luke’s Humphreys Diabetes Center in Boise, Idaho. Dr. Walters works with patients to overcome barriers to behavioral change, learn to cope with chronic illness, and address issues [...]

Knowledge is Key for CKD and ESRD Patients

2024-03-28T20:59:12-04:00May 2nd, 2019|Categories: Employment, eNews, Nutrition, Pediatric Kidney Disease, Treatment, Webinar, What Causes Kidney Disease|

Print out the flier At the Dialysis Patient Citizens Education Center we believe it is extremely important to educate kidney patients at all stages of kidney disease as well as their family members. We offer free, monthly webinars and conference calls on an assortment of topics related to kidney care. We work hard to help fill in the gaps for people living with kidney disease who need to learn more about their disease, treatments and quality of life to enable them to be key members of their health care team. Included is a list of educational topics for the [...]

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