Communicating Your Wishes: Letting Others Know What Matters Most To You
Release Date: 11/29/2022
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...
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Considering Dialysis at Home
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
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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Types of Dialysis: What type of dialysis is best for me? Overview of the three types of dialysis.
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
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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A Day in the Life of a Nephrologist
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
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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Sodium and Your CKD Diet
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
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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What to Expect at Your First Visit with a Nephrologist
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
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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When Should You See a Nephrologist
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
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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Medications: Over the Counter/Prescribed/Herbal
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
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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Understanding the Significance of Research in the Treatment of Kidney Diseases
Let’s Talk About Kidneys
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. In this episode, Mary Beth Callahan, Supportive Care Team Program Manager and Senior Social Worker, walks through creating an Advance Directive in the case that a patient is unable to communicate their medical treatment wishes to their healthcare team.
What Is An Advance Directive?
An Advance Directive ensures that a patient’s medical treatment is carried out to their wishes. 10 or 15 years ago, an Advance Directive was just one document. Now, DNA and other medical leaders have decided that there needs to be a more extensive plan to detail what matters most to a patient.
One resource for this form is prepareforyourcare.com, which is state-specific and accessible. You can walk through this form alongside the podcast, which will be a deep dive into the documentation of an Advance Directive, which includes preparing for end-of-life treatment and naming a decision-maker for your medical treatment.
What Is Included in an Advance Directive?
The form will dictate who is permitted to make medical decisions on your behalf, as well as the level of flexibility of those decisions and what the patient’s values regarding care are. It’s important to choose a trusted adult as a decision-maker. In the event that a patient hasn’t elected someone, many states will appoint a next of kin, spouse, or will take the decision to a court.
An Advance Directive is also crucial in determining a patient’s values and wishes. The patient can decide how much flexibility they want their decision-maker to have when it comes to certain situations. A patient may also want to specify what matters most to them. This may be prioritizing quality of life over longevity, religious or spiritual practices, and how much they would like to know about their illness.
What To Do With An Advance Care Directive
Once you’ve filled out your Advance Directive to your satisfaction, you have to sign it in front of two witnesses or a notary. From there, copies can be made for you, anyone you named in the form, and your care providers.
Callahan recommends filling the form out early and often, and revising every two years, at least. Oftentimes, patients wait too late to fill out an Advance Directive, and family members are left guessing as to their wishes. To Callahan, providing an Advance Directive is a gift to those in your 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