Articles and Information: Hope > Treatment Advances
Anemia and CKD: What Every Patient Should Know
Patients with chronic kidney disease often suffer from anemia. Anemia is a condition characterized by low numbers of circulating red blood cells. This condition is easily detected by measuring hemoglobin in the blood. How low should the hemoglobin be before the patient with chronic kidney disease experiences symptoms depends on the severity of anemia and the activity level and tolerance of the patient.
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Are You Shooting Up?
When you pull out needles from your little black kit, people have a tendency to be fascinated. I think they also want to make sure you're not going to come after them with the needles! Managing diabetes isn't always easy, but it is necessary for optimal health.
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Back to the Future: Returning to Old Ways of Dialysis - With Improvements Of Course! (Podcast)
Mike Paget, who has been in the renal community for thirty years and serves as RSN Director of Operations, reminisces about dialysis and dialysis machines in 1977 in England for which he provided service and maintenance as an electrical engineer . Home hemo and overnight dialysis were the norm back then in this country with socialized medicine. Mike tells some fascinating stories about the early treatment modalities along with a description of the English version of “Universal Healthcare”—something to hear about on Election Day!
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Did You Know? Willem J. Kolff, MD, the Father of Dialysis
Willem J. Kolff, MD, the Father of Dialysis
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Did You Know? Belding Scribner, MD, the Father of Chronic Dialysis, Made History in 1960?
Belding Scribner, MD, the Father of Chronic Dialysis, Made History in 1960
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Did You Know? Nobel Prize Laureate Joseph E. Murray, MD, Performed the First Successful Kidney Transplant
Nobel Prize Laureate Joseph E. Murray, MD, Performed the First Successful Kidney Transplant
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Did You Know? Richard Bright, MD, Physician Extraordinary to the Queen, is Known as the 'Father of Nephrology'
Richard Bright, MD, Physician Extraordinary to the Queen, is Known as the ‘Father of Nephrology’
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From Rome to Seattle: A Short History of Dialysis
The basic foundation of nephrology and dialysis goes back many centuries. As early as 100 AD, the citizens of Rome used their steaming hot baths to "sweat out" the toxins when urea began building up in their bodies. The real research in removing extra fluid and toxins from the body, however, may have begun with Richard Bright, MD, FRS, who was known as the "Father of Nephrology," and, later in life, was appointed Physician Extraordinary to Queen Victoria of England. Bright conducted early research on kidney disease during the first half of the 19th Century.
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Gout and CKD - A New Era of Hope
It was not until 1962 that scientists discovered that gout is caused by the excess accumulation of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the tissues surrounding joints. Uric acid (also known as urate) forms in the body as the natural process of protein break down. Normal levels are less than 7.0 mg/dL. Many people who have chronic kidney disease experience their first attack as their kidney function progressively declines due to reduced urinary excretion of uric acid.
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I Want More Dialysis...Please!
Many of my current dialysis patients as well as others around the United States are asking for more dialysis. They want to feel better and "get their lives back." Allowing them to perform their own dialysis in the home setting and receive more total hours of dialysis is empowering. Patients have shared with me and I have witnessed how much better their lives can be when they receive the optimal amount of dialysis. So are you receiving optimal dialysis, or just adequate dialysis? This is a hot topic right now in the corporate kidney world, and should be among dialysis patients as well.
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Informed, Committed, Understanding Legislators
We see our elected leaders on television, we read about them in the newspapers, and sometimes we even encounter them in person. Most of the time these elected officials are doing the talking—they tell us about themselves, their plans, their policies, and their problems.
Election season turns things around. Now, it's our turn to speak, and our leaders must listen. They know that to get our votes they will need to understand our interests and concerns.
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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.
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Sleep Apnea and Kidney Disease
Sleep apnea (SA) is a serious condition that is particularly important for patients with kidney disease to identify and understand. Complications include hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and even sudden death. Just as importantly, SA affects individuals on a daily basis, causing fatigue, headaches, depression, and overall diminished executive functioning, which can lead to strains on interpersonal relationships and loss of productivity in daily endeavors.
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Stem Cell Research and Kidney Disease
Stem cell research is one of the hottest, controversial, and ethical topics on the medical and political fronts. While research on adult stem cells (ASCs) is proceeding apace, studies on embryonic stem cells (ESCs), which many scientists believe will yield more positive and lasting results, has been stymied by ethical, political and religious concerns. Nonetheless, the eventual application of stem cell research to ongoing clinical application seems destined to be a major revolution in the history of medicine.
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Surviving and Thriving with Kidney Disease (Podcast)
This week’s guest is a true survivor! Judy Weintraub has lived with chronic kidney disease for over forty years. Her story will amaze you and inspire you! Judy relates that kidney patients can live well while on dialysis. She began dialysis as a sophomore in high school in the mid-1970s. Judy has been successful in learning to cope with her chronic illness and she is greatly interested in helping others learn that same success. Tune in to your favorite online radio show and listen as Lori, Stephen, and Judy discuss what it takes to be a survivor living with kidney disease.
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The Renal Teen Prom-Part 2 (Podcast)
This is the second part of our two part series on RSN's 8th annual Renal Teen Prom. Last week we visited with the teens, guests, and volunteers. This week Lori and Stephen talk with the great celebrities who came out and lent their support to this fantastic event. The teens were excited to have the chance to mingle with the celebs and collect their autographs. The prom just wouldn't be the same without the wonderful support of the stars! The locale of the prom-Notre Dame High School-came alive with guest appearances by Sinbad, Alexa Vega, Gary Sinise, John McCook, Christy Carlson Romano, and the LA Clippers Dance team.
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Transitioning Out of Childhood for Young People with CKD (Podcast)
Lori has a heart-to-heart with Dr. Maria Ferris, Pediatric Nephrologist from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and specialist in treating adolescents and young adults with CKD. They discuss the unique challenges a young person can face, both those with childhood-onset CKD and those who develop CKD in their adolescence. Dr. Ferris and the team at UNC Kidney Center have developed helpful guidelines and tools for young people with CKD and their parents to help "smooth" what can often be a difficult transition; growing up can have a whole new meaning when you have CKD! All this and more, including discussion on the challenges of completing your education when you have CKD.
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What is a Gurgling Space Machine? (Podcast)
That is the description that Bill Dant, a pioneer in kidney disease gives to his first dialysis machine, in August 1977. His first hand knowledge and attitude, in 3 decades of living with CKD has changed from denial to advocate and being chronically persistent. Listen and learn why he says that "Whether you live or die is your responsibility."
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What is Being Done to Increase the Supply of Donor Organs?
Mr. Undis has focused on a significant problem in the United States. The number of candidates on the deceased donor organ waiting list is increasing at a faster rate than the number of deceased organ donors. His solution is to change the organ allocation system so that those candidates who have indicated that they are organ donors for at least six months prior to their need for an organ go to the top of the waiting list, an "A" list so to speak. All others are in a second category, a "B" list. They would only receive an organ if there are any still remaining after the needs of the "A" list are addressed.
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Who Lives? (Podcast)
This week we return to the past to take a look at all the people who helped pave the way for us today in the kidney community. Lori and Stephen discuss the life-and-death committees of the 1960’s with Christopher Meeks, professor, playwright, and author of the play Who Shall Live? He has also written a book about the play. In the early 1960’s, dialysis became available to the public because of the development of the dialysis machine. The problem became apparent when the healthcare professionals realized there were more kidney patients than machines. What were they to do? To find out our humble beginnings, listen in as Lori, Stephen, and Christopher discuss medical ethics, special committees, and the worth of someone’s life.
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