Challenges Appear on Horizon for Dialysis Workforce

2024-03-28T21:04:57-04:00March 17th, 2016|Categories: Employment, eNews, Lifestyle|

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) recently conducted a survey which found that 51% of nephrology residency programs go unfilled. The American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) also recently surveyed its membership, and 39% of respondents said their unit has insufficient staff, creating a rushed environment that contributes to incomplete work! Many ANNA survey respondents saw overlap between their working conditions and patients’ treatment conditions. Another area of concern for respondents was long hours, which contribute to various errors. While most nephrology nurses rated patient safety favorably, there is always room for improvement. There has also been a recent trend of declining [...]

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Draws Attention to Need for Hygienic Practices

2024-03-28T21:04:58-04:00March 17th, 2016|Categories: eNews, Staying Healthy|Tags: , |

It is hard to remember a time when there were so many news stories about infectious disease.  First, the public was told to worry about a really bad flu this winter.  Then an outbreak of the measles, which many thought to have disappeared decades ago due to immunization.  And now the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is warning of a new superbug: CRE (the scientific name for which is carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae).  This should not be a cause for alarm, but rather a call for vigilance by every patient to take charge of their own health. CRE is a family of bacteria [...]

Can a Kidney Disease Chef Lose Weight?

2024-03-28T21:05:07-04:00March 8th, 2016|Categories: Fact Sheet, Nutrition, The Kidney Citizen|

By Duane Sunwold I’m a chronic kidney disease (CKD) patient that teaches in a culinary program. That means I’m around food ALL the time, plus the medication I was on caused me to gain an extra 70 pounds. I know managing your weight with kidney disease can be a challenge. Here are a few of the tips I used to help manage my weight. Eating the right types of food was key to losing the weight. That meant I had to embrace my doctor’s and dietitian’s advice. I planned out my 3 meals and 3 snacks a day, and followed [...]

Dialysis Diet on a Budget

2024-03-28T21:05:09-04:00March 8th, 2016|Categories: eNews, Fact Sheet, Nutrition|

With so many food choices available and limited time in your schedule, it can be difficult to select the right food options for your kidney health and for your wallet. Use the following suggestions to help you eat more healthfully at home and on the go, while also saving money. Inexpensive Protein Options Canned tuna (use for tuna salad over salad greens or in a sandwich) Canned salmon (try it on grits, or make salmon croquettes) Eggs (make egg salad served over salad greens or as a sandwich, or try them boiled, deviled, scrambled, fried or poached) Inexpensive fish such [...]

Staying Well with Chronic Kidney Disease: Basic Guidelines for Eating and Exercise

2024-03-28T21:05:12-04:00March 8th, 2016|Categories: Fact Sheet, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Physical Health, The Kidney Citizen|

By Danielle Kirkman, PhD For some people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), following a diet prescribed by their doctor may help to delay the need for dialysis. A diet will not cure kidney disease. A dietitian can help you develop a diet plan that follows your doctor’s recommendations and is also realistic. Eating healthy foods can help you feel well. A meal plan made to fit your needs can help you: get to a healthy weight or stay at a healthy weight, control your blood pressure, control your blood glucose (sugar) and lower your risk of heart disease by giving [...]

Mineral Metabolism

2024-03-28T21:05:53-04:00February 2nd, 2016|Categories: eNews, News & Events, Nutrition, Staying Healthy|

The kidneys help regulate the amount of minerals in the blood. Important minerals include calcium and phosphorous. Calcium and phosphorous help keep our bones strong and healthy. When the kidneys stop working, the amount of minerals in the blood can build up to dangerous levels. When there is too much calcium and/or phosphorous in the blood, it can deposit in the soft tissues in your body, including eyes, heart and lungs. This increases the likelihood of stroke and heart attack and can also decrease the likelihood for a kidney transplant. Mineral levels can be maintained by eating a healthy diet low [...]

Report Connects High Intakes of Salt And Potassium To Quicker CKD Progression

2024-03-28T21:06:00-04:00November 23rd, 2015|Categories: Early Intervention, eNews, Nutrition|

An increased intake of salt and potassium could lead to an increased chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, according to a study out of the Tulane University in New Orleans. Scientists studied urinary sodium and potassium levels from 3,900 4 CKD patients over a period of three years. CKD progression was defined as developing End State Renal Disease (ESRD) or experiencing a decreased renal function. Results found that CKD patients with the highest salt levels were 54 percent more likely to experience CKD progression and a 45 percent chance of early death. For those with high potassium levels, 59 percent were more [...]

Tips to Prepare for Flu Season

2024-03-28T21:06:03-04:00October 29th, 2015|Categories: eNews, Immunizations, Staying Healthy|

With flu season starting, it’s important to protect yourself and others from getting sick. The Kidney Community Emergency Response Program (KCER) offers a few tips for influenza preparedness. Suggestions include avoiding close contact with people who are sick, staying home if you are ill and practicing proper hygiene to prevent the spread of germs. More information can be found on the KCER website.

September is National Emergency Preparedness Month

2024-03-28T21:06:07-04:00September 25th, 2015|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle|

As part of National Emergency Preparedness Month, the Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) has designated this week Kidney Patient Disaster Awareness week. KCER is offering resources such as information cards and fact sheets on how dialysis patients can prepare for natural disasters. One of KCER’s tips involves putting together supplies for a three-day emergency diet. While it won’t replace dialysis, it will help reduce the effects of being off dialysis for a few days should an emergency occur.  KCER recommends stocking bottled or distilled water, foods low in phosphorous, sodium and sugar, and limiting fluid intake. More information can be found [...]

Report Finds Boiling Meat Can Reduce Phosphorous Content

2024-03-28T21:06:12-04:00August 26th, 2015|Categories: Early Intervention, eNews, Nutrition, Webinar|

Part of a dialysis diet involves eating foods low in phosphorous. A new study suggests that preparing meat in a certain way can reduce phosphorous levels while still retaining protein. Researchers in Japan experimented with cooking beef, cutting the meat in different ways and switching up the cooking liquid. They found that boiling the meat in a pressure cooker with soft water and discarding the cooking liquid afterward worked the best.  Data also suggests using sliced meat, as the high surface area allows the phosphorous to exit easily. For kidney patients, the National Kidney Foundation suggests a daily intake of 10 [...]

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