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12 Tips to Cope with Chronic Disease

2024-03-28T21:00:00-04:00July 20th, 2020|Categories: Lifestyle, Mental Health, Stress Management|

By Rachel Fintzy Woods, MA, MFT So many aspects of life are beyond our control. When the challenges of managing an illness such as chronic kidney disease are added to our plate, we can feel overwhelmed. Emotions such as anger, confusion, fear and sadness are common and natural, especially at the outset of our journey with illness. It can seem as if our world has been turned upside down. Yet we do have some say in how we deal with the cards we’ve been dealt, including our medical condition and life itself. We alone are responsible for our actions and our [...]

Understanding Chronic Pain and Depression

2024-03-28T21:00:02-04:00July 13th, 2020|Categories: Fact Sheet, Mental Health, Physical Health, The Kidney Citizen|

How Chronic Pain Can Impact Your Mental Health When You Have Kidney Disease By Hannah Calkins Chronic pain and depression are closely linked and because as many as 60 percent of hemodialysis patients report moderate to severe chronic pain, it’s likely that many of them have experienced depression—or are at risk for it. But it may not look or feel the way you expect, according to psychologist Robert Kerns, PhD. “Depression among people with chronic pain may not be experienced as profound sadness,” says Kerns, a professor of psychiatry, neurology and psychology at Yale University. “Other symptoms may be more likely [...]

Managing Chronic Pain in Dialysis Patients

2024-03-28T21:00:08-04:00June 8th, 2020|Categories: Fact Sheet, Mental Health, Music, Physical Health, Stress Management, The Kidney Citizen|

By Amanda Nelli, MD and Padma Gulur, MD Pain is a complex symptom and a common concern for all patients with a chronic illness. In particular, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) poses unique challenges. It has been found that 37-50 percent of patients with ESRD on hemodialysis experience chronic pain, and more than 80 percent of these patients experience moderate to severe pain.1 Pain in dialysis patients often goes undertreated, which may be because it is often caused by multiple problems. The pain experienced in dialysis patients is often a combination of physical, social and psychological influences.2 There are multiple medical [...]

Are You Scared or Anxious about COVID-19?

2024-03-28T21:00:09-04:00June 2nd, 2020|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Support|Tags: |

Updated September 10, 2020 We are living in a time of uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic, which can lead to stress, fear, depression, and anxiety. We may feel overwhelmed at times and bored at other times. We may be at a loss for how to cope with social distancing, not seeing friends and family, and the possibility of getting sick. If you are a dialysis patient, receiving treatment either in-center or at home, your facility social worker is a great resource for you. Or, if you are a transplant patient, you can talk to your transplant social worker for support. [...]

Beyond Sanitizing and Social Distancing–A Healthy Circadian Rhythm May Keep You Sane and Increase Resilience to Fight COVID-19

2024-03-28T21:00:20-04:00April 20th, 2020|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Physical Health|Tags: |

By Satchin Panda, University of California San Diego Social distancing and washing hands have become the frontline in the fight against COVID-19, but there is another powerfully protective resource immediately available to all: your circadian rhythm. I head a lab that researches circadian rhythms, the daily cycles of bodily functions that form the foundation of good health. These body clocks, found in nearly every organ of the body and part of the brain, are central and vital to a properly functioning immune system. A synchronized circadian rhythm in the lungs, heart, kidney and brain ensures that the processes in our [...]

Survey: Seeking Advice from Parents of Children with Kidney Disease

2024-03-28T21:00:35-04:00January 25th, 2020|Categories: eNews, Hemodialysis, Medication, Mental Health, Pediatric Kidney Disease|

The DPC Education Center is developing an online program to serve as a resource for parents of children with kidney disease. In order for this program to be successful, we need the guidance of parents willing to share tips and stories about how they helped their child thrive while living with this condition and juggling life's multiple demands. Feedback is needed in the areas of treatment, medication and mental health. If you are a parent of a child with kidney disease and would like to help us with this project, please click this link (or answer the questions in the box [...]

There’s a Grant for That!

2024-03-28T21:00:38-04:00January 1st, 2020|Categories: Additional Resources, Costs for Treatment, Employment, Humor and Laughter, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Music, Physical Health, Webinar|

Do you have an idea to help others living with kidney disease? Are you interested in going back to school or work? There’s a grant for that. If you’ve never applied for a grant before, don’t worry. With resources to help guide you, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The End Stage Renal Disease National Coordinating Center (ESRD NCC) Patient Grant Library has what you need to help find the grant that’s right for you. It also offers links to sources for writing a proposal, creating a budget and submitting an application.

8 Things About Living with A Chronic Disease That Others May Not Understand

2024-03-28T21:00:57-04:00August 27th, 2019|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Physical Health, Stress Management|

"If you see us 'enjoying' ourselves, it doesn’t mean we aren’t sick." This is one of a handful of ideas shared by a woman who has lived with a chronic illness for the past 12 years. She decided to create a blog to share her experience and spread awareness about others that may be going through something similar. If there are friends or family in your life that are having trouble relating to what you are going through, it may be helpful to share this article with them. Or perhaps it will inspire you to put your thoughts on paper and [...]

Caregivers for People with Chronic Illness

2024-03-28T20:59:08-04:00May 31st, 2019|Categories: eNews, Fact Sheet, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Stress Management, Support|

By Amy Walters, PhD, Licensed Psychologist Below is a summary handout about understanding and helping the caregivers in our life. What We Know About Caregivers Report feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and lonely Report high levels of stress and depressed symptoms Are tired and sleep deprived Have higher rates of illness (2x higher) but seek medical attention less often Often neglect their own self care Experience more relationship conflicts Feel a sense of loss – independence, freedom, dreams for the future Attitude matters – those who believe they are not effective have higher levels of stress and depression Strong social support systems [...]

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