Let’s Talk About Kidneys
In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dallas Nephrology Associates Dietitian, Nadiya Lakhani, RDN, CSR, LD, FNKF, explains why weight management is important to the general population and how it affects the kidneys. How does weight affect the kidneys? When the body carries more weight than it can handle, it increases the demand on the kidneys to hyper filtrate. In other words, it forces your kidneys to work harder, which will eventually cause them to be overworked. On the flip side, unintentional weight loss increases the risk of that person having increased...
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In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dr. Muhammad Qureshi talks about the benefits of a kidney transplant, why it’s a good choice after kidney failure, and what the process looks like before, during and after. Why should a CKD patient consider a kidney transplant? Dr. Qureshi talks about the fact that there are both mortality and morbidity benefits of a kidney transplant. In other words, not only do you live longer, but you live better. Who qualifies for a kidney transplant? Anyone who has a kidney function less than 20% or someone who has already...
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In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dr. Lauren McDonald talks about the types of dialysis that can be done successfully in your own home including home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. She puts extra emphasis on the fact that choosing the right dialysis modality is a very personal choice and should be made based on a patient’s lifestyle and what is most important to them. Overview of Home Hemodialysis Home hemodialysis is done in the home. Currently, the dialysis machine is about the size of a nightstand and everything is self contained. It does require 3.5...
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In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dr. Richey talks about the different types of dialysis and provides an overview to help patients and caregivers to understand what is involved and how to decide which modality is right for each patient. When is dialysis necessary? Dialysis is recommended when a patient’s kidneys can no longer safely support them. This is determined based on several factors: Creatinine levels Potassium levels Fluid overload Dr. Richey also mentions that doctors consider how the patient feels in addition to the items above. Can...
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No day is ever the same for a nephrologist. Dallas Nephrology Associates’ Dr. Paul Skluzacek may see his kidney patients in the office, have hospital rounds, dialysis rounds and much more. In this episode of Let’s Talk About Kidneys, learn about Dr. Skluzacek’s busy days providing patient care and how his schedule changes from one day to another. What is a Nephrologist? are kidney doctors. They have special training that includes completion of medical school followed by a residency in Internal Medicine and then additional specialty training in Nephrology. They treat systemic...
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When most people think of sodium, they think of salt. In this episode of Let’s Talk About Kidneys, Dallas Nephrology Associates’ Senior Clinical Dietitian Carolyn Cochran breaks down what sodium is, how to identify it in common foods and ways to make lifestyle adjustments for healthier kidneys. What is sodium? Sodium is one of three important electrolytes found in the body. Electrolytes control the fluids going in and out of your body’s tissues and cells. “Sodium is essential for life,” Carolyn says. “It's in animals, vegetables, minerals and is important...
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Your first visit to the doctor after being diagnosed with kidney disease can be a big deal. Tune into this episode where Dallas Nephrologist Dr. Michael R. Wiederkehr breaks down what to expect at your first visit with a nephrologist at Dallas Nephrology Associates. Why do I need to see a Nephrologist? Nephrologists – experts in kidney care – treat conditions that affect the kidneys. Primary care physicians run routine blood or urine tests. When these results are abnormal, it could indicate that something is wrong with the kidneys. In this case, the primary care doctor...
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Tune into this episode where Dallas Nephrologist Dr. Michael R. Wiederkehr explains when you might need to see a Nephrologist. Dr. Weiderkehr breaks down what a nephrologist does and which tests might indicate it’s time to see a kidney doctor. What is a Nephrologist? Nephrologists treat systemic conditions affecting kidneys, such as diabetes and autoimmune disease, as well as hypertension (high blood pressure) and electrolyte disturbances. They are experts in kidney care. What is the difference between a Urologist and a Nephrologist? Urologists and...
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Tune into this episode where Dallas Nephrologist Dr. Daniel Richey talks about how some medications can keep your kidneys from working the way they should. Dr. Richey covers the most common over-the-counter (OTC) medications that are approved and not approved for patients diagnosed with kidney disease. Learn how to choose the right medications, and which ones to avoid. What OTC Medications Should Kidney Patients Avoid Dr. Richey explains that the most important class of medications that patients with kidney disease should know about are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)....
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Listen in to hear Dr. Mehta fill us in on how DNA is involved in chronic kidney disease research, including the types of kidney disease that are under investigation within DNA medication clinical trials, the team roles in clinical trials, and what to consider if you are interested in applying to a clinical trial as a patient with kidney disease. What is a Clinical Trial? A clinical trial is a process in which a drug or medical procedure is tested on an adult patient with a specific illness or condition. In this case, DNA has participated and conducted research with different clinical...
info_outlineTake a behind-the-scenes look into the world of DNA with real examples of our values in daily life. Listen in as Senior Program Manager of the DNA Supportive Care Team. Mary Beth Callahan offers her insight into how patients and their families might manage life with chronic disease and explore care options.
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE SUPPORTIVE CARE TEAM?
A lot can be going through a patient's mind with chronic illness. The Supportive Care Team works to understand the patient's priorities, reliably document their desires for treatment, and align those values with long-term care.
'Supportive care' is purposefully vague; it's flexible. What matters most to a patient may change over time, and care options should change with them. Callahan believes it's most important to be present in conversations about care with patients and remember listening amidst their busy practices.
WHAT IS AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE?
An advance directive can also be called a living will or health care power of attorney. This power lies in a second person, such as a spouse or family member, who can speak on behalf of a patient who can't speak for themselves. Every patient will have different values regarding their health and quality of life, and an advance directive specifies those treatment options.
Callahan emphasizes the importance of having these conversations early and often so that there's no guesswork to the patient's wishes. The best time to document a medical power of attorney, in her opinion, is tomorrow. Act sooner rather than waiting for a medical emergency to happen later.
HOW DNA IS IMPROVING ADVANCE CARE PLANNING
DNA is fortunate enough to have been a part of the 18-mo Pathways Project, a mentoring program where members of the Supportive Care Team learned that small tests create change. By offering the opportunity to start a conversation, healthcare providers can honor the patient's wishes for treatment.
Callahan hopes that listeners will approach medical care with curiosity, to ask questions and find the answers they need. In addition, she hopes healthcare providers will learn to hold space for their patient's emotions and make those emotions part of the conversation. Shared decision-making is at the core of the Supportive Care Team so that healthcare providers can learn what matters most to a patient and reliably align their treatment with their wishes.
LINKS AND RESOURCES
PREPARE for Your Care website (https://prepareforyourcare.org/en/advance-directive)
DISCLAIMER
Dallas Nephrology Associates’ (DNA) podcast series, Let’s Talk About Kidneys, is provided for general information purposes only and does not replace the need to talk with a healthcare professional about your unique situation, care and options. Our goal is to provide you with as much information as possible so you can be as informed as possible. Reference to any specific product, service, entity or organization does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by DNA.
READ FULL DISCLAIMER (https://www.dneph.com/podcast-disclaimer/)