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Here’s why the CDC recommends wearing masks indoors even if you’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19

2024-03-28T20:59:03-04:00August 1st, 2021|Categories: eNews, Immunizations, Lifestyle, Staying Healthy|Tags: |

By Peter Chin-Hong, University of California, San Francisco. What science supports masking after vaccination? Masks help stop the spread of the coronavirus. They’re a literal layer between you and any virus in the air and can help prevent infection. The reason public health officials are calling for more mask-wearing is that there is clear and mounting evidence that – though rare – breakthrough COVID-19 infections can occur in people who are fully vaccinated. This is particularly true with emerging variants of concern. The good news is that COVID-19 infection, if it does happen, is much less likely to lead to serious illness or death in vaccinated people. Some [...]

Staying Safe in Summer Heat

2024-03-28T20:59:08-04:00June 1st, 2021|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Physical Health|

It is finally summertime! After a long winter of being cooped up indoors, it’s great to finally be able to go to the park, the beach, or even just a nice little walk around your neighborhood. As temperatures around the country are rising though, it’s important to be mindful of the risk of heat-related illness, especially if you have kidney disease or another health condition. Hyperthermia is a illness that happens when your body becomes overheated. Mild cases can cause muscle cramps or swelling in the feet, whereas a more serve form, heat exhaustion, means that your body can no longer [...]

COVID-19 Vaccines for Dialysis and Transplant Patients – What We Know

2024-03-28T20:59:10-04:00May 3rd, 2021|Categories: eNews, Immunizations, Staying Healthy|Tags: |

As more and more people in the United States receive the COVID-19 vaccine, researchers have been able to learn more about efficacy rates in different patient populations. Unfortunately, preliminary research suggests that efficacy rates may be lower in both dialysis and transplant patients. In a small study, published April 6, 2021 on CJASN ePress, researchers found that, although study participants on hemodialysis did develop a substantial antibody response following two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine, it was significantly lower than the response of the control group comprised of participants not on dialysis. It was also found that older patients, regardless [...]

Getting Fit After Transplant

2024-03-28T20:59:13-04:00April 19th, 2021|Categories: Kidney Transplant, Lifestyle, Physical Health, The Kidney Citizen|

By Collette Powers, MA, RDN, LDN, ACSM EP First of all, let us start off by saying a huge congratulations! Whether you are preparing for a transplant or already received a kidney transplant, you have taken a pro-active step in your own healthcare. This is a major accomplishment and one worth much recognition. Kudos to you! As part of the transplant journey, you learn a great deal of information regarding the transplant process. Topics may range between diet management, medication management and organ infection/rejection prevention to name a few, but what about physical activity? Can you exercise after receiving your new [...]

My Experience Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic While Living With A Kidney Transplant

2024-03-28T20:59:14-04:00April 19th, 2021|Categories: Employment, Staying Healthy, Stress Management, The Kidney Citizen|Tags: |

By Merida Bourjolly, DPC Education Center President ANXIETY OF COMING BACK I am sure everyone has felt the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This is the first time I have experienced a complete shut down in my industry due to a virus. Additionally, the lockdown provided an opportunity for a pause and a chance to rethink my priorities and what is meaningful. From a financial perspective, this shut down taught me how to adapt to uncertain economic times. I am really grateful for technology that helped us connect virtually, provided an opportunity to work, and to make it through a stressful [...]

The COVID-19 Vaccine is Finally Here. Learn How to Manage Anxiety and Impatience While You Wait

2024-03-28T20:59:19-04:00April 19th, 2021|Categories: Mental Health, Staying Healthy, The Kidney Citizen|Tags: |

By Kirsten Weir It’s been a long and stressful pandemic year. Now that COVID-19 vaccines are becoming available, many people are wrestling with a new burst of emotions: From fear and skepticism to excitement and impatience. “There is such a range of emotions around the vaccine rollout,” says Elizabeth Christofferson, PhD, a pediatric psychologist and clinical director of transplant psychology at Children’s Hospital of Colorado and an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. “Those emotions are normal and valid — and you can find ways to cope with them.” Easing Concerns About the Vaccine Guidelines from the [...]

Healthy Lifestyle May Lower Death and Major Adverse Cardiac Events Risk in Kidney Patients

2024-03-28T20:59:24-04:00March 10th, 2021|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Staying Healthy|

It is no secret that doctors advise all their patients to live a healthy lifestyle; eating well, including making sure to get the recommended daily nutrients for your diet, regular exercise, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and not smoking are beneficial for everyone. However, this is particularly important for patients living with CKD, as they are 10 times more at risk for cardiovascular disease compared with the general public. A new study, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, has shown that adhering to generally recommended healthy lifestyle choices may lower the risk of death and major adverse [...]

March is National Kidney Month!

2024-03-28T20:59:26-04:00March 1st, 2021|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Physical Health, Stress Management|

Your kidneys work hard for you all year long, but this month we give them a little extra recognition and raise awareness about kidney disease for National Kidney Month. This year’s theme is all about taking charge of your health and what goes into managing your kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious condition that affects 37 million people; however, it is often overlooked until symptoms appear. This can put you at risk for serious health complications, including kidney failure, so it is important to know the ways to help manage and slow the progression of CKD. Take charge [...]

Heart Health and How it Impacts Our Kidneys

2024-03-28T20:59:29-04:00February 5th, 2021|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Physical Health, Staying Healthy|Tags: |

While February is usually associated with hearts for Valentine’s Day, it is also American Heart Month, where Americans are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyle choices in order to prevent heart disease. The heart and the kidneys work closely together, so when one isn’t healthy, it can have  an impact on the other. If you have kidney disease, you also are more likely to have heart disease. So, what are some ways you can help your heart thrive as a kidney patient? Eat a heart-healthy diet (think fruits and vegetables, high quality proteins, and avoiding foods that contain high levels of sodium, [...]

Black History Month and Kidney Health Disparities

2024-03-28T20:59:30-04:00February 1st, 2021|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Physical Health|Tags: , |

As many people know, February is Black History Month, and it is important that we take the time to reflect upon, commemorate, and celebrate all the incredible achievements made by African Americans and the impact they have had on the history of the United States. What many do not know though, is the disparity with which kidney disease and illness affects the black community. African Americans comprise approximately 13% of the United States’ population; however, they make up more than 35% of all patients on dialysis due to kidney failure. Additionally, about 4.9 million African Americans over the age of 20 [...]

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