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...
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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...
info_outlineTune 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). These include brand names like Ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin and Naproxen.
Kidney Damage From OTC Drugs - NSAIDs
NSAIDs can be very dangerous for patients who have kidney disease to use on a daily basis. Dr. Richey tells his patients that it’s OK to use these kinds of over-the-counter medications if they have an acute injury or need to reduce a fever.
While NSAIDs can sometimes be used sparingly, taking them on an ongoing basis can cause severe damage to the kidneys.
Dr. Richey emphasizes that he’s seen many patients experience significant kidney function decline as a result of improper NSAID use. He recommends talking to your doctor if you're not sure if you're taking an NSAID.
Medications, Supplements That Cause High Blood Pressure
NSAIDs can cause fluid retention, electrolyte disturbances in blood work and can raise your blood pressure.
Other supplements, medications and herbs that can cause high blood pressure include:
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Pseudoephedrine, which is commonly used for colds to relieve sinus stuffiness
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Popular over-the-counter weight loss supplements
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Licorice extract and licorice
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Some preparations of Chinese herbs
Additionally, for many kidney disease patients, Vitamin C can be safe, Dr. Richey says. But patients with a history of kidney stones need to be careful with Vitamin C.
What Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications Can Kidney Patients Take For Pain?
When it comes to selecting over-the-counter drugs for joint pain and fever, Dr. Richey says your choices are pretty straightforward - Tylenol (or acetaminophen). He says that these medications are completely safe for your kidneys.
Keep Your Kidney Doctor in the Loop
Kidney patients often see several different doctors who prescribe them medications, so their lists change on a regular basis. Dr. Richey recommends that patients keep a list of their medications so they can bring it to their doctor appointments. When your kidney doctors know exactly what medications you’re taking, they can provide you with the best overall care.