Education can be a life saver
When it comes to kidney disease, education can help save lives. Learning about the prevention of kidney disease and how to prolong kidney function may help people with chronic kidney disease avoid dialysis and transplant.
For those on dialysis, knowing all they can about the treatment, including the role of diet and nutrition, can help improve their quality of life.
Read informative and inspirational articles about kidney disease and dialysis
(All articles link to DaVita.com and open in a new window )
What is residual kidney function?
Residual kidney function is the term used to describe how much of your kidney function remains once you have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Even after you start dialysis, it is critical to try to preserve residual kidney function for as long as possible because it improves your overall health and well-being. Learn more about what residual kidney function is and how you can preserve it.
Renal osteodystrophy — bone disease and kidney failure
It may sound odd to hear that kidney disease can lead to bone disease; however, 90 percent of those on dialysis and many with chronic kidney disease have renal osteodystrophy. Healthy kidneys maintain levels of calcium and phosphorus and activate vitamin D, which keeps bones healthy and strong. When kidneys are no longer able to maintain the balance of these minerals and activate vitamin D, this can lead to renal osteodystrophy. Using a combination of diet, dialysis and medicines, you may help prevent bone disease. Learn more about bone and mineral metabolism, renal osteodystrophy, how it is treated and how you can help keep your bones healthy and strong.
High blood pressure medicines and kidney disease
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force and amount of blood your heart pumps. High blood pressure is the second leading cause of chronic kidney disease. The strong force of blood can be harmful to the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys. High blood pressure medicine helps lower the force of blood and is sometimes even prescribed to those without high blood pressure to help preserve kidney function. Learn about blood pressure medicines and how they may help protect your kidneys.
Humor and chronic kidney disease — how humor helps
Who hasn’t heard the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine?” Many more health care professionals are recognizing the impact a positive attitude can have on overall health, but how can this be achieved when facing a challenging situation like chronic kidney disease? Humor is one of the most powerful ways to improve your physical and mental well-being. Learn how you can use laughter to feel better about yourself and your health.
HIV/AIDS and chronic kidney disease
People who are HIV-positive or living with AIDS may be at risk for kidney disease because of the progression of the AIDS virus and the side effects of the medicines they take to control it. Learn what to look for and what questions to ask your health care professional about chronic kidney disease if you have or know someone with HIV.
What is a nephrologist?
Nephrologists are medical doctors who specialize in kidney care. Sometimes referred to as kidney doctors, they commonly treat chronic kidney disease (CKD), polycystic kidney disease (PKD), acute renal failure, cancer of the kidneys and kidney stones. People on dialysis will have their treatment managed by a nephrologist. Learn more about what a nephrologist is, what a nephrologist does and when to visit a nephrologist.
DaVita’s 2007 Kidney Idol: Jenna Smith
Jenna Smith, DaVita’s 2007 Kidney Idol winner, is a 21-year-old student at University of Iowa College of Engineering who packs her days full of extracurricular activities, friends and school work. Jenna also does home hemodialysis for three hours each day as a result of her battle with dense deposit disease. Learn about this rare disease, Jenna’s positive attitude toward it and her plans for the future.
March is National Kidney Month
March is designated National Kidney Month to make people more aware of chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease. In addition to National Kidney Month, March 13, 2008 is World Kidney Day. DaVita teammates are participating in events across the United States in observance of National Kidney Month and World Kidney Day in an effort to raise awareness and help people affected by chronic kidney disease.
How to delay the onset of dialysis
While it is scary to be diagnosed with a chronic disease, the good news is, there are steps you can take to prolong kidney function.
Heart healthy advice for people with kidney disease
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and one of the top four causes of all deaths in the U.S.? Therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) can help to keep your heart healthy and ticking for a long time.
Do you have symptoms of chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
Chronic kidney disease happens over time; however, there are usually few symptoms to indicate there is a problem until a person is in kidney failure and needs dialysis. For those who may have kidney problems and have symptoms, seeing a doctor early may help them be able to slow the progression of kidney disease and delay or prevent dialysis. Here are some symptoms of kidney disease.
What is kidney failure or renal failure?
When your doctor says you have kidney failure or renal failure, what does that mean? What are the next steps in your treatment? How will you feel? Find out what to expect and how to live with kidney failure or renal failure.
Renal cancer and chronic kidney disease
Renal cell cancer (RCC), or kidney cancer, is an abnormal mass or tumor growing in the kidney. It may spread to other parts of the body, most often the bones or lungs. Statistics from the National Cancer Institute estimated that more than 38,000 Americans would be diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2006.
Kidney stones and chronic kidney disease
Kidney stones, if left untreated, can lead to more serious kidney problems such as chronic kidney disease. Treatment of kidney stones and taking steps to prevent reoccurrence can reduce the risk of kidney stones progressing to disease.
Alonzo Mourning: NBA star, kidney disease patient and advocate
Basketball superstar, Alonzo “Zo” Mourning, has made his impression as an all-star on the court. After being diagnosed with kidney disease in 2000 and receiving a kidney transplant in 2003, he came back to lead his team, the Miami Heat, to an NBA Championship in 2006. As an advocate for anemia and kidney education, Zo has been an all-star off the court, as well.
Support groups for people living with kidney disease
People living with chronic kidney disease, those on dialysis and their family members face unique challenges. Support from others coping with the same issues can be an important source of comfort, advice and inspiration. Find out about some of the support groups available online and in-person for people affected by kidney disease, as well as tips on starting your own.
Lupus and chronic kidney disease
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily targets women, especially minorities, in their childbearing years. While the effects of lupus can range from mild to severe, about half of all lupus patients suffer kidney damage that may lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD) or even kidney failure.
Infections and chronic kidney disease
.jpg)
Your body fights infections continually; whether it’s the redness around a small cut on your finger or a common cold. But if an infection grows faster than your immune system can fight it, your body can be overwhelmed. If you have chronic kidney disease, your ability to fight infection may be weakened because of your condition. What can you do to keep yourself infection free? Learn more about infections, how they can affect people with renal disease and what you can do to boost your body’s immune system.
Depression—Don’t let it rob you of your happiness
Many situations in life can lead to feelings of depression. Finding out you have kidney disease, and then adjusting to the changes in your lifestyle after beginning dialysis, can cause feelings of loss and depression. If these feelings last for more than a couple of weeks you could be clinically depressed. Depression is a disease that is very common and treatable. DaVita Social Worker, Betsy Heilman, talks about depression and how to get the help you may need.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) and chronic kidney disease
Are there times when you feel an uncomfortable or unpleasant sensation in your legs and get the urge to move them? If this happens when you are trying to relax or fall asleep, you may have a condition called restless leg syndrome (RLS). Many people with chronic kidney disease and those on dialysis have reported having a problem with restless leg syndrome. Restless leg syndrome is annoying and it can prevent you from getting an adequate amount of sleep. Learn more about restless leg syndrome, its causes and what can be done to help you get the rest you need.
