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Are You Getting Enough High-Quality Sleep?

2024-03-28T21:06:14-04:00May 28th, 2015|Categories: Early Intervention, eNews, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Nutrition, Peritoneal Dialysis, Physical Health, What Causes Kidney Disease|

We all know that sleep is important, yet many of us never seem to get enough of it. The journal Sleep Review recently found that 67% of end-stage renal disease patients said they were impacted by sleep disorders that prevented them from getting enough sleep. These sleep disorders include periodic leg movement syndrome (PLMS), restless legs syndrome (RLS), insomnia and sleep apnea. Researchers from Monash University reported in the journal Renal Failure that lack of sleep, especially when coupled with chronic kidney disease, leads to hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, lower quality of life and shorter life expectancy. This leaves many kidney patients [...]

Education Manager & Nephrology Nurse Joanne Smith Provides Education on Treatment Options for Kidney Patients

2024-03-28T21:06:17-04:00April 29th, 2015|Categories: eNews, Home Hemodialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, News & Events, Peritoneal Dialysis, Webinar|

On April 9, Education Manager Joanne Smith hosted an educational conference call and webinar on treatment options for kidney patients. Smith has been a nephrology nurse for 32 years, and provides in-home training to patients on peritoneal and hemodialysis. Click here to listen to a recording of the call and view the accompanying Powerpoint slides.

Financial Coverage for Peritoneal Dialysis

2024-03-28T21:06:52-04:00February 4th, 2013|Categories: Costs for Treatment, eNews, Peritoneal Dialysis|

There are several options to pay for your dialysis treatments including insurance through your employer or other private health plan, Medicare, Medicaid and through military health programs. The Medicare program was designed to be available to anyone who was born in the US, a permanent and legal resident for 5 years, or the spouse of an individual who paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.  People with end stage renal disease (ESRD) or those who needed a kidney transplant regardless of age (as long as they met the residency requirements) qualify for Medicare. Some individuals are considered dual eligible [...]

Treatment Options for Pediatric Kidney Disease

2024-03-28T21:06:57-04:00January 4th, 2013|Categories: eNews, Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Pediatric Kidney Disease, Peritoneal Dialysis|

Children with kidney failure have a few options to choose from, depending on the severity of their disease.  The primary goal is to have a successful transplant, however viable kidneys are not always available and some children are not strong candidates for transplants. In some cases a nephrectomy is a solution that can make childhood disease easier to manage. In most cases parents choose home dialysis options either home hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Transplants In adults, most transplanted kidneys come from donors who have just perished. However, about half of the kidney transplants in children come from a living donor, usually a [...]

Albumin and Chronic Kidney Disease

2024-03-28T21:06:59-04:00January 4th, 2013|Categories: eNews, News & Events, Nutrition, Peritoneal Dialysis, Staying Healthy|

What is albumin? Albumin is a protein, found in animal sources such as meats, milk-products, and eggs. It is also found in plant sources such as beans, nuts, and seeds. Albumin provides the body with the protein needed to both maintain growth and repair tissues. It can also help with fluid removal during the dialysis treatment. If your albumin level is good, fluid will move more easily from swollen tissues into the blood, where it can then be removed by the dialyzer. For dialysis patients, the preferred range for the serum (blood) albumin is 4.0 g/dl or greater. What can cause your Albumin level to drop? [...]

What is Dialysis and Chronic Kidney Disease?

2024-03-28T21:07:01-04:00January 4th, 2013|Categories: Early Intervention, Fact Sheet, Peritoneal Dialysis, Symptoms, What Causes Kidney Disease|

It is estimated that more than 31 million American adults have chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, a survey done by the National Medical Association and Amgen shows that most adults know very little about the symptoms or treatment of the disease. How can people be so unaware of a disease that affects so many? Like diabetes and high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease is called a “silent killer” because there are few symptoms and by the time a person realizes they have a problem, much damage has already been done. By sharing information you can help save lives. Because chronic kidney disease happens over [...]

What Are My Options If I Have Kidney Failure?

2024-03-28T21:07:03-04:00January 4th, 2013|Categories: eNews, Home Hemodialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Peritoneal Dialysis|

While many people learn suddenly that they have kidney failure, or end stage renal disease (ESRD), chronic kidney disease (CKD) happens over time. For those who know they will be facing kidney failure, they have time to learn about the treatment choices, or modalities, available and prepare. Whether a person has months to prepare or needs to make a sudden decision about which modality is right, his or her doctor or nephrologist (doctor specializing in kidney care) will help educate and guide. Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation There are two treatments for kidney failure: dialysis and transplantation. Dialysis is a treatment that [...]

Low Blood Pressure – Intradialytic Hypotension

2024-03-28T21:07:05-04:00January 4th, 2013|Categories: eNews, Fact Sheet, Home Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis, What Causes Kidney Disease|Tags: |

By Dori Schatell, Medical Education Institute One of the main jobs of dialysis is to remove excess water from your body. Seems pretty simple, right? Like wringing out a wet towel? Of course, your body is more complex than a towel—and taking over a task that healthy kidneys did isn’t really so easy. Removing water can lower your blood pressure at dialysis, which can make you feel wretched during and even after a treatment. We’ll tell you why—and how you can stop it. Fluid in Your Body Maybe you’ve heard that the human body is made mostly of water. It’s [...]

Things to Think About When Evaluating Dialysis Treatment Options

2024-03-28T21:07:34-04:00November 29th, 2012|Categories: eNews, Home Hemodialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis|

There are pros and cons with each dialysis option. Each person is different and they need to work with their family and healthcare team to decide which will work best for them. For many, dialysis at home is more flexible than at a center, but there are also more responsibilities. This chart compares each of the choices: In Center Home Conventional or Nocturnal Conventional, Short Daily, or Nocturnal* CAPD/CCPD (peritoneal dialysis) Portable No Depends on machine Yes Travel possible With advance planning With portable machine Yes Needles used Yes Yes No Training time None 4-6 weeks (depending on system) 1-2 weeks [...]

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