Inflammation is the body’s response to help fight off foreign substances, such as viruses, bacteria and injury. However, sometimes inflammation can become a problem and damage the tissues in the body. For chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis, inflammation can lead to poor appetite, poor nutrition and cardiovascular disease. Learn about inflammation, how it affects people with chronic kidney disease and how to treat it.

IgA nephropathy, also known as Berger’s disease, is a type of chronic kidney disease that can either cause acute renal failure and one day go into remission, or become chronic kidney disease (CKD) that may eventually lead to end stage renal disease (ESRD). To better understand IgA nephropathy, learn about the symptoms, risk factors, causes and treatments for this type of kidney disease.

Appearance is important to many people. So when a person with chronic kidney disease goes through changes like hair loss or nail discoloration, it can be uncomfortable. Learn how your hair and nails may visibly change with chronic kidney disease and dialysis, and how you can help get them healthy.

If you watch television, you may have seen commercials for cholesterol-lowering drugs or that certain cereals can help your cholesterol over time; it seems that high cholesterol is common in the general population. People with chronic kidney disease should also be aware of their cholesterol level, as high cholesterol may lead to cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is common for people on dialysis. Learn about cholesterol, how it affects those with kidney disease and what you can do to stay healthy.

Dialysis is a treatment that replaces kidney function when chronic kidney disease progresses to end stage renal disease. When kidney function declines to about 10% to 15% of normal function, dialysis filters the blood of waste and extra fluid for the kidneys. Learn when dialysis is needed, which treatments are best, how often and how long dialysis is needed and more.

While it is rare, teenagers may find out they have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and need dialysis. In adults, chronic kidney disease usually happens over time due to untreated high blood pressure or diabetes; however, CKD in teenagers is usually due to persistent urinary tract infections, nephrotic syndrome and nephritis. Parents and their teenagers can learn more about CKD, the symptoms and how to treat it.

As a teen you have a lot going on. If you’re dealing with chronic kidney disease you may have questions about how it affects you. Here are some tips for dealing with parents, friends, your health and other issues.

While the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires the attention of a trained medical team, there are things you can do to participate in your care. You can take an active role in your health care by learning all you can about CKD, being honest with your kidney care team, following your kidney care plan, getting regular checkups and having a positive attitude. This may empower you to continue doing the things you love and live your life to the fullest. Learn some simple ways you can get involved in your CKD care.

Glomerulonephritis, also called glomerular disease, is a type of kidney disease in which the kidneys’ filters become inflamed or damaged. It is the third leading cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States. There are many different causes of glomerulonephritis, including infections or autoimmune diseases such as lupus, and it can come on slowly or quickly. In some cases, glomerulonephritis can lead to ESRD and dialysis. Learn more about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of glomerulonephritis.

Finding out your child has chronic kidney disease will bring up many questions: How can I help my child? How much should I tell my child about their health condition? What can my child understand about kidney disease and dialysis? Here are a few tips to help parents better deal with their child’s illness and the changes in the day-to-day life of the entire family.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 designated as National Kidney Month as a way to help increase awareness of chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease. In addition to National Kidney Month, March 12, 2009 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.

While it is scary to be diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, the good news is, if you find out you have kidney disease early on there are steps you can take to help prolong kidney function and possibly prevent kidney failure so you won’t have to start dialysis. Find out what you can do to help delay the onset of dialysis.

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.