2008 New Year’s Resolutions for the Renal Diet
From Thanksgiving to the new year, patients with kidney failure in particular must be careful what and how much they eat. Holiday foods are replete with phosphorus, potassium, and sodium. Therefore, it takes some effort for kidney patients to be extra adherent to their renal diets. Here are some tips from one of our favorite renal dietitians on how to eat healthy year-round
|
Are Fish Oil Supplements Right For You?
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), the "omega-3 fatty acids" found in fish, can reduce the risk of developing heart disease1. Fish oil supplements, which are about 30% omega-3 fatty acids, may be especially helpful for hemodialysis patients, especially those:
|
Connecting With Your Patient's Unique Personality Type
In the 4th century BC, Hippocrates, the Greek Western Father of Medicine, developed the theory that people in general possess four basic different personality types. He maintained that different levels of body fluids determined the four types of behavior.
|
Dialysis Treatment During Disasters: Patient Opportunities and Responsibilities in Emergency Planning
Katrina and other devastating events in 2005 exposed problems in providing medical care to kidney patients in disasters as well as in providing food and shelter to the hundreds of thousands who were displaced from their homes. In response to the particular needs of kidney patients, the Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition (KCERC) has formulated plans to ensure readily available dialysis care during disasters.
|
Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, and Chronic Kidney Disease
These are but a few ways you can maintain a healthy lifestyle. As you take a more active role in your own healthcare, the benefits of increased energy, general well-being, and a potentially longer life are all possible.
|
Herbal Supplements for the Kidney Patient: Caveat Emptor
When it comes to herbs, they should be thought of as diluted drugs and should not be taken before consulting your physician. If you are someone with kidney disease who may be contemplating purchasing OTC herbal medications, it would serve you well to consider the old phrase, caveat emptor, or "Let the buyer beware."
|
Holding Infinity in Their Palms: An Ode to Dialysis Patients
Time spent on dialysis is long, 12-to-15 hours a week, plus transportation between home and the dialysis unit; or setting and cleaning the machine if they perform the treatment at home. And, frequently, they feel tired and fatigued after treatment because of the rapid shift in body chemical composition and change in fluid volume. Many of them are in the hospital a lot of times for repeated infections or clotting of the bloodline, or for heart disease and shortness of breath.
|
Interview with the Healthcare Professional - Caregivers Appreciated
Chicken Soup Author LeAnn Thieman, RN, Believes That Dialysis and Other Chronic Illness Caregivers Should Be ‘Honored and Appreciated’
|
Is Anybody Listening? The Kidney Patient’s Role in Doctor/Patient Communication
The question is, “Doctor, can you hear me?” The answer is, “Patient, are you listening?”
This question and this answer are repeated hundreds of times a day as physicians and patients interact. The real question is: “Is anybody listening?” The real answer is: “Very few people are listening.”
|
It's About Choice: A Benefits vs. Burdens Analysis
"If I couldn't see my life improving on dialysis, I wouldn't want to live."
Many patients make similar statements to show how they feel or how they think when faced with the burdens of dialysis. If they are suffering losses in physical or mental function, they might see their quality of life falling to a level lower than what they could accept. They might choose to simply stop dialysis.
|
Just an Annoyance: Confronting the Dialysis 'Baggage'
When faced with a chronic disease, every person reacts differently. Becoming “the patient” is never as simple as lying down and gracefully submitting to whatever treatment is recommended. Entering the world of ongoing illness, we drag along a conglomeration of baggage—upbringing, past experience, relationships, culture, religion, and fears.
|
My Experiences in a Renal Unit During the Vietnam War
During the past 40 years, vast improvements in dialysis techniques and practice have been made, greatly enhancing the management of acute and chronic renal failure. Further understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms of acute renal failure has been achieved, and work still progresses in this field. However, to the present time, it remains clear that, when dealing with combat casualties, the aim of paramount importance must be the prevention of acute renal failure (ARF) rather than treatment of established, or chronic, renal failure.
|
Of Loss and Transcendence: Stories From "Healing Through Times of Trouble" (Part One)
Illness awakens an army of ancient thugs: family troubles, old hurts, guilt, fear, resentment of those in power, and our own powerlessness. When everything else has failed, decisions are sometimes delegated to an Ethics Consultation. The goal is to have those who consider themselves expert--nurses, doctors, therapists, social workers, chaplain, lawyers even and those facing the decision, [including] family, friends, and the patient--figure out what's "best."
|
Of Loss and Transcendence: Stories From "Healing Through Times of Trouble" (Part Two)
Once we recognize that we all come to this work to heal one another, that we all are being taught and guided by those for whom we care, we establish true connection. At that moment, we are reunited with hope, support, and pleasure.
|
Returning Control to ESRD Patients Through Self-Care In-Center Hemodialysis
In the course of my many years of providing this treatment modality to qualified patients, Dr. Bray has developed a number of important points that should be helpful for those renal healthcare professionals who are considering initiating self-care HD in their own facilities.
|
Spanish - Cómo Puede Usted Cuidar de su Nuevo Riñón, Después del Trasplante?
Algunos de ustedes han recibido ya un trasplante de riñón, mientras otras personas están esperando o considerando el tener este procedimiento. Yo he sido trabajadora social para el trasplante de riñones y páncreas por ocho años. Muchas de las tareas relacionadas con la preparación para un trasplante son muy diferentes a aquellas de cuando usted ya tiene el nuevo órgano y ha sido calificado para cuidar de él por si mismo. Me gustaría utilizar un poco de este tiempo para tratar con su nuevo trabajo que es el de cuidar por su nuevo riñón, de manera que lo pueda ayudar para que este importante órgano de su cuerpo pueda trabajar tan largo como sea posible.
|
Spanish - Como Trabajan sus Riñones, y las Cinco Etapas de una Enfermedad Crónica de los Riñones
La primera pregunta es obviamente: "Qué es un riñón?" Usted nació con dos de estos órganos vitales localizados en la parte media de su espalda, a cada lado de la espina dorsal. Sus riñones son del tamaño de sus puños y son el principal sistema de filtración de su cuerpo. La unidad básica de filtración del riñón humano se conoce como el Nefrón. Un riñón humano normal contiene millones de nefrones.
|
Spanish - El Control de la Anemia que Proviene de una Enfermedad Crónica de los Riñones
A medida que se desarrolla una enfermedad de los riñones, es bastante probable que la anemia sea inevitable. Y lo que es aún más sorprendente, para algunas personas, es lo rápido que ella, la anemia, comience a desarrollarse. Sien embargo esto no necesariamente tiene que ser de esta forma. Si aprendemos un poco más acerca de que es lo que produce la anemia y somos capaces de reconocer sus síntomas muy temprano, podremos tomar acciones inmediatas en el manejo de esta condición y así evitar uno de los latentes peligros de las enfermedades de los riñones.
|
Spanish - El uso de Diálisis Peritoneal en el Manejo de Fallas Renales
La diálisis peritoneal (PD) es una de las formas generalmente disponibles e internacionalmente utilizadas para el tratamiento y control de los pacientes quienes llegaron a la etapa final en la falla de los riñones. Esa es la forma inicial o primaria que se utiliza para el tratamiento de fallas renales en el hogar y para la auto-diálisis.
Para que la técnica de diálisis sea exitosa debe incluir dos procesos fundamentales de tratamiento, los cuales ya no están presentes en el cuerpo, es decir ya no ocurren espontáneamente, debido a la ausencia de esas funciones del riñón: la remoción o descarga de los productos de desecho y del agua.
|
Spanish - Enfermedad Poliquística de los Riñones (PKD) y La Fundación PKD:
Más de 600,000 americanos y 12.5 millones de personas alrededor del mundo están batallando contra la enfermedad poliquística de los riñones (PKD, por sus siglas en inglés) cada día, todos los días. La PKD es la enfermedad genética más común que amenaza la vida de los pacientes, ella está afectando a más personas que las enfermedades conocidas como: el síndrome de Down, la fibrosis quística, la distrofia muscular, la hemofilia, la anemia y la enfermedad de Huntington todas combinadas. Peor aún, no hay un tratamiento o curación para el PKD.
Afortunadamente, y a pesar de todo, aún hay esperanza.
|
Spanish - Entendiendo los Valores Mensuales de Laboratorio sobre Diálisis
Ah, si... el valor mensual del laboratorio o sea, "tarjeta de reporte." Que hacer con esto? Usa usted los números para escoger números de lotería? Es bueno el informe como papel de borrador? Entiende usted que significan esos valores? Pretende usted estar dormido en su silla de diálisis cuando ellos se lo entregan, simplemente porque usted no quiere lidiar con su explicación?
|
Spanish - Las Ventajas de las Hemodiálisis Nocturnas, a lo Largo de Toda la Noche
Existen muchos programas a lo largo y ancho del país, que ahora están suministrando servicios de tratamiento de Hemodiálisis nocturnos durante la noche. Donde los pacientes realizan su diálisis por más o menos ocho horas cada noche, por cinco o seis noches a la semana. En la mayoría de estos programas, los pacientes realizan sus diálisis ellos mismos en su propia casa. Existen también algunos centros nocturnos con programas de hemodiálisis a lo largo de toda la noche, pero ellos realizan el tratamiento por solo tres noches a la semana.
|
Spanish - Notas del Programa de Ejercicios para Pacientes de Diálisis
Algunos estudios nos muestran que los factores de riesgo tradicionales para enfermedades del corazón--tales como alta presión arterial (BP), alto contenido de glucosa en la sangre, y poca actividad física--están fuertemente asociadas con niveles de mortalidad por enfermedades cardiovasculares en personas con enfermedades crónicas de los riñones (CKD), particularmente en persona mayores. Estos resultados se han obtenido por el Estudio de Salud Cardiovascular, el cual fue fundado por el Instituto Nacional del Corazón, Pulmones y Sangre.
|
Spanish - Observando el panorama completo: La comunicación con su Nefrólogo Sobre sus Objetivos y Expectativas
Recientemente asistí a la reunión anual de La Asociación Americana de la Nefrología, para el año 2006, que se celebró en San Diego, CA. Durante el vuelo hacia allá, estuve sentado junto a un caballero quien, a pesar de haber estado en tratamiento de hemodiálisis (HD) por muchos años, ha competido en una serie completa de maratones conocidas como "Hombre de Hierro", las cuales requieren toda una combinación de natación, ciclismo y el correr. Pasamos mucho tiempo del vuelo conversando acerca de como él había sido capaz de conseguir este extraordinario logro, considerado por muchos uno de los más agotadores eventos deportivos, a pesar de sus necesidades por su crónica HD.
|
Spanish - Porqué Los Pacientes Tienen Episodios De Baja Presión Sanguínea Durante La Hemodiálisis?
Mientras la mayoría de las personas quienes, eventualmente, requieren de un mantenimiento para su hemodiálisis crónica (HD) han tenido hipertensión, o alta presión sanguínea (BP), antes de comenzar su tratamiento de HD, la hipotensión (baja BP) durante las sesiones del tratamiento de HD es un problema común. Se estima que un 15%-50% de los pacientes que reciben el HD tendrán un bajo BP durante su tratamiento.
|
Spanish - Promoción de la Salud, Prevención de Enfermedades y Enfermedades Crónicas de Riñones
Aunque la enfermedad crónica de los riñones (CKD) dura toda la vida, pueden ser la causa de otros problemas de salud. Hay algunas estrategias que usted puede utilizar para mantenerse saludable. La mayor parte de este artículo puede también ser aplicado a personas que no necesariamente tengan una enfermedad de los riñones. El punto es llevar un estilo de vida saludable.
|
Spanish - Recomendaciones Sobre la Adherencia a un Régimen de Medicación para Pacientes que Reciben Diálisis o han recibido un Trasplante de Riñón
Como un paciente quien recibe diálisis o ha recibido un trasplante de riñón, usted sabe que tomar su medicamentos tal como le han sido recetados, es una de las cosas más importantes que debe hacer para mantenerse tan saludable como sea posible. Aunque usted sepa lo importante que esto es, los medicamentos no son siempre lo más fácil de tragarse.
|
Spanish - Una Reunión con Respecto a las Medicinas Anti-Rechazo Para Pacientes con Transplante de Riñón
Como resultado de los exitosos resultados en los trasplantes de riñones, corazón, hígado y otros órganos, cientos de miles de personas alrededor del mundo están disfrutando de vidas más saludables. El receptor de un órgano trasplantado ha recibido un regalo por demás valioso, el "Regalo de la Vida."
|
Spring Fling: Earning Your Dialysis Dollars
"Have you earned your Dialysis Dollars today?"
That was a common question heard throughout the Jane Phillips Dialysis Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. We began this motivational program for our patients in November 2006. The social worker and dietitian worked together to develop a way to involve patients in their own healthcare and well-being. Our goal was to get as many patients as possible interested in their lab work and attitude in an effort to improve their health, increase happiness, and encourage hope.
|
The Evaluation and Process of a Kidney Transplant
Anyone who is in or has kidney failure is a potential candidate for a renal transplant. Yet, it's important to know that the procedure comes with both advantages and disadvantages, and it may not be a good choice for everyone.
|
The Importance of Oxygen During Hemodialysis
While dialysis patients know that their treatment sessions can be annoying, painful, scary, and draining, they are also aware that they are a lifesaving necessity. Dialysis is work, and work requires energy. Energy requires fuel.
A large amount of energy is necessary for excess water and poisons to move out of our body’s cells and into the tissue fluid, blood, and dialyzer. Each cell in the body has a "powerhouse" called the mitochondria which needs "fuel" to run. Oxygen is the fuel for the "powerhouse" of the cell. (Oxygen isn't everything, but it's right up there with money!)
|
The Protein Challenge: Myth or Fact?
Proteins supply amino acids. Amino acids are "building blocks" that build, repair, and maintain your body tissues. Your body uses protein to:
Make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals;
Carry nutrients;
Make muscles contract; and
Regulate body processes.
Read on to see how "protein savvy" you are...
|
The Use of Peritoneal Dialysis in the Management of Kidney Failure
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is one of the generally available and internationally used forms of treatment and management of patients who reach end-stage kidney failure. It is the primary form of treatment for renal failure used at home and for self-dialysis.
|
Tips on How a Dialysis Facility and Patients Can Prepare for an Emergency
“An emergency stops being one when you are ready for it.”
These words are important to reflect upon when you realize that, during the last few years, the United States has experienced several disasters (particularly Hurricane Katrina) that seriously disrupted the lives of many dialysis patients because they could not get to their clinics to receive treatments. Emergencies caused by severe weather (hurricanes, earthquakes, snowstorms, power outages, etc.) can occur suddenly and without warning. Your availability to water, power, transportation, or supplies may be limited. You may not be able to get to your dialysis unit for treatment or give yourself treatments at home. Therefore, the importance of being prepared for such events cannot be overstated.
|
Two Trees in the Forest: A patient’s perspective of quality of life.
I wrote a speech a few years back, based on a parable about “Susie,” a fictional character who lived with a chronic illness most of her life. She was in search of the key to a loving relationship. Susie exhausted all angles, to no avail. It seemed no one had the key to lasting love. She talked to her friends and family, and read many books, but nowhere did she find just the right words. Then one day, an old woman approached her as she took a break on her hike through the hills. “What is your problem, my child?” the woman asked, squatting down next to Susie. “Why do you sit with such a long face?”
|
Understanding Your Monthly Dialysis Laboratory Values
Laboratory values are only one of many ways that your healthcare is monitored. These values, like many aspects of kidney care, have clinical guidelines and standards for care that have been analyzed and recommended by experts
|
What is the Incidence of Cancer (and Prevention Measures) in the Kidney Transplant Recipient?
The use of immunosuppressive drugs after kidney transplantation has been shown to be associated with an increase in a variety of different types of cancers. Cancer incidence has also been evaluated in patients with end-stage renal disease in the period prior to kidney transplantation. In this patient population, a slight increase in the incidence of the disease was found when compared to the population as a whole.
|
What is the Role of the Healthcare Professional in Linking Kidney Patients With Advocacy Opportunities?
As healthcare professionals, we know how important it is to advocate for the needs of dialysis patients. Patients, too, want to advocate for their own needs and should be the most influential advocates for patients with kidney disease because they are the ones directly affected by the disease and the public programs, like Medicare and Medicaid, that fund the majority of their care.
|
What Patients Need to Understand About Quality Assurance in the Dialysis Center
Quality assurance and continuous quality improvement (QA/CQI) are critical components in the hemodialysis (HD) center. Correctly implemented and managed, QA/CQI not only improves outcomes that have been established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks, and the individual dialysis companies, it also improves the quality of life for the HD patient.
|
Why Do Patients Have Bouts of Low Blood Pressure During Hemodialysis?
While most people who eventually require chronic maintenance hemodialysis (HD) had hypertension, or high blood pressure (BP), before they began HD treatments, hypotension (low BP) during the HD treatment sessions is a common problem. It is estimated that 15%-50% of patients receiving HD will have low BP during their treatments.
|
Winning Strategies for Communicating with the Renal Patient
Improving relationships between renal care workers and patients is an important goal to strive for, as it amounts to a “win/win” for everybody. Doctors, nurses, dietitians, social workers and technicians can experience less hassles in a day, and can go home feeling good about what they’re doing, knowing they might have made someone’s day.
|