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Flu Risk Still High, Take Steps to Be Protected

2024-03-28T21:00:22-04:00July 14th, 2018|Categories: eNews, Immunizations|

Flu season doesn’t officially end until May, and typically we see the flu “peak” around this time. However, this year the virus is especially harmful and active with cases still increasing. If you haven’t already received a flu vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends you still get immunized to decrease your chances of becoming infected with this year’s virus.  As kidney disease patients, you are especially susceptible to catching the flu. It is important to take precautionary steps to prevent infection. Learn more about this year’s virus and information on the vaccine by visiting the CDC’s flu hub: www.cdc.gov/flu People [...]

Tips for Taking Medication

2024-03-28T21:00:23-04:00May 21st, 2018|Categories: Medication|

An important part of treatment is taking your medication daily and as required. Even though you might not feel any difference from skipping a medication, it will still affect your body and may create additional long-term problems. Understanding kidney disease, why you are taking each medication and what the medication does will keep you motivated to follow your medication schedule. In addition to your medical team, the pharmacist who fills your prescriptions will be able to help you understand your medications, when to take them, and can provide reminder tips. The pharmacist may also be able to tell you which foods [...]

The Quest to Activate a Commonly Inactive Protective Protein

2024-03-28T21:00:23-04:00May 20th, 2018|Categories: Early Intervention, eNews, Nutrition|Tags: , |

New research sponsored by the American Heart Association found high levels of a protective protein, albeit an inactive version of the protein, in the blood of African-Americans on dialysis.  Matrix Gla protein, or MGP, has high affinity binding to calcium ions and therefore inhibiting vascular calcification. Researchers believe finding ways to activate this protein can lead to lower rates of vascular disease in current dialysis patients. MGP is activated by vitamin K and appears to be the only natural inhibitor of vascular calcification while vitamin K is the only known activator of MGP. Active MGP binds to calcium that circulates in [...]

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

2024-03-28T21:00:47-04:00November 20th, 2017|Categories: Early Intervention, Lifestyle, Nutrition, What Causes Kidney Disease|Tags: |

If you have diabetes you are at a higher risk for kidney disease, especially if you have high glucose and high blood pressure. Approximately 1 in 4 adults with diabetes will also develop kidney disease. Your chances increase if you smoke, are overweight, have heart disease, have a family member with kidney disease and you don’t exercise or follow your diabetes food plan. Many people are not aware that they have kidney disease and would benefit from being tested for it. To keep your kidneys as healthy as you can, work with your health care team to keep your glucose and [...]

Clinical Research 101: Participating in a Trial

2024-03-28T21:00:51-04:00November 7th, 2017|Categories: Fact Sheet, The Kidney Citizen, Treatment|

EN ESPAÑOL By Kurt Mussina, MBA, Frenova Renal Research What Is Clinical Research? Long before a medicine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and put on the market, it undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it is safe and effective — a process that can take many years. Testing new and/or already approved medicines in people is what we call clinical research. Although there are many different types of clinical trials, I am focusing here on the clinical development and approval process for drugs and devices, in particular. Clinical research is vital to finding ways to improve quality [...]

Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7

2024-03-28T21:00:55-04:00October 20th, 2017|Categories: Costs for Treatment, eNews, News & Events, Treatment|Tags: |

If you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and are enrolled in Medicare, you most likely have Original Medicare Part A and Part B. Part A covers hospital insurance and Part B covers medical insurance. Most people with ESRD are not currently able to get Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, which combines Parts A and B (and sometimes Part D). Part D is a prescription drug plan.  It is a separate plan that people with ESRD can purchase to help pay for outpatient prescription drugs. If you have Original Medicare Part A and Part B, you do not have [...]

The Waiting Game: How to Endure the Transplant Wait List

2024-03-28T21:01:08-04:00September 1st, 2017|Categories: Fact Sheet, Kidney Transplant, Mental Health, Stress Management, Support, The Kidney Citizen|

By Kirsten Weir If you are on the organ transplant waiting list (or hoping to be listed soon), you have probably experienced all kinds of emotions: Excitement, nervousness, anxiety, fear, joy, guilt. Maybe all in one day! The average time spent on the waiting list for a kidney varies from region to region. But for most patients, that wait is measured in years, not months. As the years go by, some people go about their daily lives and forget they are waiting for a life-changing call. Others feel mounting anxiety and hopelessness. All of those feelings are completely normal, says Heather [...]

Researchers Think They’ve Found the Cause of Organ Rejection

2024-03-28T21:01:13-04:00June 29th, 2017|Categories: eNews, Kidney Transplant, Medication|

Receiving a kidney transplant is the preferred treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, wait times to receive a transplant can be long, and the cost of medication to maintain the transplant is very high. Transplanted organs typically last around 10 years, if taken care of well. However, researchers at the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute at the University of Pittsburgh may have found the answer to prevent organ rejection. Fadi Lakkis, the scientific director at the transplantation institute, believed ideally, an organ transplant would last the rest of the patient’s life. Not only this, but the drugs that suppress the [...]

Additional Factors Play Part in Kidney Transplant Success

2024-03-28T21:01:20-04:00April 17th, 2017|Categories: eNews, Kidney Transplant|

The process of receiving a kidney transplant is rooted in finding a compatible donor, whether living or deceased. Compatibility is determined by both blood type and the matching of Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA).  HLA’s are what stimulate the production of antibodies, which are produced by the immune system in response to a foreign body.  HLA make-up is inherited from your parents, which typically makes immediate family members the best match for donation.  However, it is possible for individuals to develop sensitivities to HLA antigens because of pregnancies, blood transfusions or viral/bacterial infections. These sensitivities are also tested to determine overall compatibility [...]

New Resources Available for Advanced Care Planning

2024-03-28T21:01:25-04:00March 22nd, 2017|Categories: eNews, News & Events, Treatment|

As the population ages, health professionals and scholars are investing time to determine how to best communicate advanced care planning to patients. Research from Yale University suggests too few older adults plan ahead for end-of-life medical decisions, and when they do, their preferences aren’t always communicated or understood.  The goal of advance care planning is to allow adults to prepare for future treatment decisions, however research has shown that surrogates often don’t know their patients preferences and goals outside of end of life decisions. Dr. Terri Fried interviewed 350 veterans 55 years or older as well as their surrogates. Dr. Fried asked if [...]

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