Many men who are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are concerned about the impact the illness will have on their sexuality. Some men do not notice any change, while others may find their sex drive has diminished. Some men worry their treatments will lead to erectile dysfunction. Find out how CKD can affect a man’s sex life.

Many people consider sight the most important of the five senses. Without the ability to see, day-to-day tasks can be difficult, frustrating and dangerous. Patients with chronic kidney disease may be surprised to discover that vision can be affected by their condition. Learn what you can do to protect your eyesight and the health of your eyes.

When people think of anemia, they often think of pale skin. But anemia can affect more than just your appearance. It can leave you feeling tired and out of breath. Prolonged anemia can affect how your tissues and major organs function. For people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), anemia is a common complication. Why are people with CKD at risk for anemia? How is anemia treated? Find out more about anemia, its causes and how it can affect your well-being.

When was the last time you saw your dentist? Good oral health can help prevent dental problems such as tooth decay, tooth loss and gum disease. More than that, good dental health is important to avoid other complications for people with chronic kidney disease. Learn more about why taking care of your teeth is important, especially if you have kidney disease.

If you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), you’re probably concerned about the health of your kidneys and how well they are functioning. But your kidneys aren’t the only organs at risk. Your heart and blood vessels can become damaged as a result of CKD or as a result of the underlying conditions that caused your renal disease. Find out about the risk of cardiovascular disease and what you can do to help the health of your blood vessels and heart.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Inflammation diseases of the kidneys can cause chronic kidney disease (CKD) and eventually a need for dialysis. Glormerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy (Berger?s disease) and lupus nephritis are just a few you will learn about.?Discover what the causes, symptoms and possible treatments are for these kidney inflammation diseases.

Depression around the holidays isn’t new, or even unique to those with kidney disease. Maybe it’s the colder weather or the rush of festivities, but sometimes it’s tough to have holiday cheer. DaVita social worker, Arlene Antonoff, provides helpful tips to keep you in touch with your emotional needs and beat the holiday blues.

May has been designated as National Mental Health Month in order to raise awareness of mental health issues. People on dialysis generally have access to a social worker and other mental health services that are available to patients and their caregivers. DaVita Social Worker Cecily Sherlock-Huizing and intern, Sara Lowe, provide treatment tips for maintaining good mental health.

Do you see the glass as half empty or half full? Do you think you are a lucky or unlucky person? Do you laugh a lot or a little? DaVita Social Worker, Judith A. Estes, tells us how positive thinking can help us feel better. She also gives helpful hints on how to turn that frown upside down.

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.

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.

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.

The studies are in: having a pet is good for you. Scientists aren’t exactly sure how pets make us healthier, but they can’t argue with the results. Learn more about better living through pets.

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.

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.

Feeling a little lazy and need some inspiration? Reading about Bobby McMullen might be quite uplifting. Bobby has faced diabetes, blindness, kidney disease leading to dialysis and two double (kidney and pancreas) transplants. All the while he has stayed active in competitive sports and maintained a positive outlook. Take a look at Bobby’s story.

Looking at Valen Cover-Sheriff, you would never suspect she has suffered from numerous health problems, one of which nearly took her life. But at the age of 22, Valen has had over 70 blood transfusions as a result of her struggle with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and its complications. Read about her triumph over PKD, her kidney transplant and what lies ahead for DaVita’s Kidney Idol winner.

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.

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.

Finding out your child has chronic kidney disease will leave you with many questions. We’ve provided a starting place for getting answers and tips to help you and your child adjust to life with kidney disease.

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.

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.

Did you know high blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney disease? Did you know about one in six American adults has high blood pressure? Could you be one of them?

Did you know African Americans are at increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease leading to dialysis and transplant? Compared to other ethnic groups, the African American population has higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure, which are the two leading causes of kidney disease. In honor of Black History Month we want everyone to be more aware of health issues affecting African Americans and encourage those at risk to schedule an appointment with their health care professional.

There are several unique issues a woman will deal with in her health care. Learn more about the concerns that confront women with chronic kidney disease.

One in three Native Americans struggles with diabetes, which puts them at risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). If you are Native American, what do you need to know about these two conditions and how can you protect your health? Find out more about why your heritage may place you at a higher risk for CKD and what you can do about it.

GFR. Kt/V. BUN. CCr. This alphabet soup represents important tests given to people with chronic kidney disease. These tests and others tell you and your health care team how well your kidneys are working and if your treatment plan is effective. Understanding what these tests measure and what the results mean can help you manage your condition.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has divided chronic kidney disease into five stages to create a guideline to identify and treat each level of kidney disease. The first four stages focus on ways to preserve kidney function for as long as possible, while the final stage—kidney failure—reviews treatment choices. Learn about the five different stages.

Advances in medicine are not only used to treat diseases, but also to diagnose them. Radiological tools, including x-rays, ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be tests you have undergone. DaVita nephrologist, Dr. Purushottama Sagireddy, shares the various radiological tests doctors use to diagnose kidney disease and explains what information is provided by each test.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 you have chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the earlier stages of CKD may allow you to take action to slow the progression of kidney disease and prevent kidney failure. By controlling blood pressure, and blood sugar levels for those with diabetes, and making other healthy lifestyle choices, it may be possible to keep kidneys working. Learn how you can help slow the progression of kidney disease.

Doctors, health care professionals, health magazine and online articles always speak to lifestyle choices; probably because these are the things we can control that may help us live a healthier life. For people with chronic kidney disease, there are lifestyle choices regarding diet, exercise and smoking that may help prevent kidney disease from advancing to kidney failure. There are also changes that may occur in the body due to chronic kidney disease. Learn what to expect and what can be done to feel your best with chronic kidney disease.

Many medical professionals believe that diet plays a role in slowing the progression of kidney disease. Lower protein diets may help the kidneys because they won’t have to work so hard. Because healthy kidneys are responsible for eliminating potassium and phosphorus, as kidney function slows, these minerals may need to be reduced in the diet. Find out what to eat when you have kidney disease.

A kidney transplant is a treatment option for people with chronic kidney disease that progresses to end stage renal disease. A person with kidney failure can receive a kidney from either a living donor or a deceased donor. People with kidney disease are not automatically put on a list to receive a kidney transplant. Find out what you need to know about getting a kidney transplant.

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.

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.

Kidneys perform many functions. Kidney failure usually occurs due to a handful of reasons. Find out about the different jobs performed by the kidneys and discover the top causes of kidney failure.

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.

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.

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.