DNA Patient Journey: Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle Post Kidney Transplant (Part III)
Release Date: 09/27/2022
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Centers of Excellence
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder that can lead to chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and kidney failure. Affecting between 500,000 and 600,000 Americans, treatment targets symptom management with diet, medications, and, if needed, dialysis or a kidney transplant.
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What is Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)?
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) affects about 600,000 people in the United States, according to the PKD Foundation. It is one of the most common genetic kidney disorders, yet many people don’t even know they have it until later in life. Today, we’ll break down what PKD is, how it’s diagnosed, and how people can live well with it.
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Kidney Stones
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
In this episode of Let’s Talk About Kidneys, Dr. Jayasree Grandhi of Dallas Nephrology Associates breaks down kidney stones—what they are, what causes them, and how to prevent and treat them. Affecting up to 1 in 5 men and 1 in 10 women, kidney stones are common but manageable with the right care.
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Pregnancy and Kidney Disease: What to expect?
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a condition that affects how the kidneys work over time. For women with CKD who are planning to have a family, there are important factors to consider to ensure the best possible outcomes. Can I have a baby if I have CKD?
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Kidney Disease: From Diagnosis, Staging and Common Lab Tests
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
In this episode of Let's Talk About Kidneys, Dr. Lauren McDonald, a nephrologist with Dallas Nephrology Associates, discusses the diagnosis, staging, and common tests for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dr. McDonald explains how kidney disease is diagnosed, common symptoms, and some of the key tests, including BUN, creatinine, GFR, hemoglobin A1C, kidney biopsies, and more. She also discusses the importance of being your own healthcare advocate, family histories, how to maintain health records, and the importance of monitoring your diabetes, and...
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What is New in Kidney Transplant?
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
This episode of Let's Talk About Kidneys, Dr. Saim, a nephrologist with Dallas Nephrology Associates, discusses what is new in kidney transplant. The podcast discusses advancements in kidney transplantation, focusing on the benefits and risks of living and deceased donor transplant. Dr. Saim highlights that over 25,000 transplants were performed last year, with nearly 7,000 from living donors. Living donor transplants offer better survival rates and shorter waiting time. The waiting list has nearly 100,000 patients, with blood group O having the longest wait. ...
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Dialysis Patients and Their Diet
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
Let's Talk About Kidneys Dialysis Patients and Their Diet In this episode of Let’s Talk About Kidneys, Dr. Rao, a nephrologist at Dallas Nephrology Associates, discusses the importance of diet for all dialysis patients. She emphasizes the need for dietary modifications even before dialysis, focusing on reducing salt intake, managing potassium and phosphorus levels, and maintaining adequate protein consumption. Introduction Dr. Rao shares her background, mentioning that she joined Dallas Nephrology Associates fifteen years ago and sees patients mostly in Mesquite, Sunnyvale, and...
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New Treatment Therapies In Kidney Care
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dr. Roberto Collazo addresses the development of new treatments for kidney disease that are essential for slowing disease progression, improving patient outcomes, and preventing kidney failure. Throughout his discussion, he will examine various therapeutic options currently available, as well as those expected in the future. What types of treatments have there been in the past for patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)? Dr. Collazo addressed the medications available during the 1990s and early 2000s. He also discussed newly...
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Weight Management Strategies with CKD
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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Kidney Transplant - Getting Started
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
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...
info_outlineTake a behind-the-scenes look into the world of DNA with real examples of our values in daily life. In this episode, transplant-recipient Tiffany Archibald talks about her exceptional journey, life post-transplant, and how she’s maintained a healthy lifestyle.
Holistic Healing After Transplant
After her first transplant, Tiffany began to look at her health more holistically. Transplant recipients are usually referred to a renal dietitian to help them design a diet that’s healthy and achievable post-transplant. This often includes removing any preservatives and focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables, less animal protein, and recommended amounts of water. CKD patients often have diabetes or high blood pressure, so diet is even more key.
Tiffany says the other core focus is exercise but notes that you can’t out-work a bad diet; both are necessary. Before transplant, she was very active, so Tiffany’s life after surgery didn’t look much different. For patients who didn’t have that lifestyle, however, Tiffany emphasizes the importance of staying active for your health.
Mental Health for Transplant Recipients
Tiffany says that one of the hardest parts of recovering post-transplant is maintaining a good mental state, but it’s one of the most important. Her advice on diet and exercise isn’t revolutionary, but the importance comes from maintaining a positive mind-body connection throughout recovery. Mental health is one of the unsung struggles of post-transplant life.
Tiffany recommends taking advantage of a therapist or counselor after transplant if a patient wants. Recovering post-transplant can be a long, draining process, and it can be difficult to appreciate the new life you’ve been given. Be vocal with your support system about your needs and boundaries.
Finding Community as a Transplant Patient
Patients will always have the professional support of their transplant team, but Tiffany encourages patients to build a network of other recipients or CKD patients. While physicians may know the numbers, fellow patients offer empathy and understanding as someone who has experienced kidney transplant or dialysis. Finding community is vital, in Tiffany’s opinion, so she encourages patients to network with others that have had similar experiences.
There are many hurdles to overcome before and after a transplant operation, but that there is still something to look forward to on the other side. Kidney failure can be a large obstacle in the moment, but in the grand scheme of things, is one small part of life.
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