Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-28T21:06:03-04:00October 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.
Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-28T21:06:05-04:00October 29th, 2015|Categories: eNews, Medication, News & Events, Treatment|Tags: Living Well on Dialysis|
Nearly 8 percent of ESRD patients have Hepatitis C. Medications like Sovaldi have offered a chance to cure Hepatitis C, but are unavailable to ESRD patients due to chemical contents. However, a recent new drug combination has shown potential in curing the Hepatitis C virus in ESRD patients. The drug combination, developed by Merck, was the focus of a recent study involving 224 ESRD patients. The participants were divided into two groups; 116 took a single pill with the two drugs for 12 weeks, while the rest received the placebo. Results showed that 99 percent of the group who took the real [...]
Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-28T21:06:06-04:00September 25th, 2015|Categories: Dialysis, eNews|
The two-day treatment gap between in-center hemodialysis patients is associated with more hospital admissions and an increased mortality rate, according to a report published in Kidney International. Researchers looked at 5,800 hemodialysis patients in Sheffield, United Kingdom. They found that hospitalization was more likely for patients who had a 2-day interval between treatments than those with a 1-day interval. Health officials attributed this to a build-up of fluid and toxins. The study also offered potential solutions, such as more frequent dialysis treatments and a lower fluid removal goal.
Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-28T21:06:08-04:00September 25th, 2015|Categories: eNews, Kidney Transplant|
A study by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases found that the health of kidney donors did not decline after a three-year period when compared to healthy non-donors. Researchers studied cholesterol levels, blood pressure and protein levels. Two sets of groups, kidney donors and healthy volunteers, participated in follow-up checkups for three years. Scientists found the levels of protein, cholesterol and blood pressure did not differ between the two groups. It was also found that kidney functions in the donor group improved over time, while the healthy group experienced age-related kidney function issues. While the area needs more research, [...]
Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-28T21:06:09-04:00August 26th, 2015|Categories: eNews, Medication, What Causes Kidney Disease|Tags: High Blood Pressure|
A recent study finds that elderly patients can have an increased risk of falling after starting a blood pressure medication. Researchers at the University Medical Center in New York studied 90,000 Medicaid patients who experienced fall injuries. Data indicated that patients who began taking hypertension medication had a 36 percent increase in the likelihood of falling within two weeks. Those who were already on blood pressure drugs had a 16 percent chance of falling after starting a new class of medication. The report mirrors another study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, although data in Hypertension contradicts the findings. [...]
Hannah Bracamonte2024-06-07T12:38:33-04:00August 26th, 2015|Categories: eNews, News & Events, Treatment|Tags: Living Well on Dialysis|
Managing health care for a patient with multiple health conditions can involve many medications and specialists. A recent article by Sumathi Reddy in the Wall Street Journal features suggestions for both physicians and patients on how they can help coordinate care. For physicians, suggestions include considering a patient’s other conditions when prescribing medications. For example, if patients are on drugs for hypertension, their doctors should ensure an arthritis prescription won’t affect them negatively. Experts also encourage communication between specialists to help keep each of them updated on a patient’s health. For patients, tips focus on maintaining awareness of one’s health, including bringing a [...]
Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-28T21:06:11-04:00August 26th, 2015|Categories: eNews, Medication, News & Events, Treatment|Tags: Pain Management|
The Food and Drug Administration is stepping up to improve the warning labels on non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS. Studies find that using these medications are linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The move comes 10 years after warnings were added to prescription pain relievers, but researchers have found that over-the-counter medication also contains risks. Health officials caution patients not to take more than one drug containing NSAIDs at a time and to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. Patients should contact their physician with any questions about NSAIDs. [...]
Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-28T21:06:12-04:00August 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 [...]
Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-28T21:06:14-04:00May 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 [...]
Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-28T21:06:17-04:00April 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.
1012 14th St NW, Suite 1475 Washington DC, 20005
Phone: 1-855-291-3725
Fax: 1-888-423-5002
Email: info@dpcedcenter.org
