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Sunday, February 15, 2009
END THE WAIT
END THE WAIT!
A Multi-Faceted Collaborative Initiative to End the Wait for a Kidney Transplant in the U.S. in 10 Years
http://www.kidney.org/news/end_the_wait/index.cfm
Friday, February 6, 2009
Busy, Busy, Busy!
I am sorry I haven't posted regularly in months. I have been really busy and have a lot going on.
Here's a little update:
Greg's 1 year check up was wonderful. He is healthy and feeling so much better. We did find out that the amazing Dr. Bashir Sankari is no longer with Charleston Area Medical Center's Transplant Team. He has relocated to Indianapolis to start a new transplant center. If anyone is considering donation near Indy, he is amazing and I would not hesitate to have him as a surgeon.
I am also fine; no problems with my health. Unless I want to count gaining back the weight I was losing! But I'm working on it. Goal is to lose at least 30 lbs. before my birthday; 50 lbs. by the end of the year. I adopted a very athletic new dog, Bella, from the Franklin County Animal Shelter so she will be helping with this weight loss plan. I will post a picture of her and the Love Scar later.
Rachel Widomski update: The man that ran her over last May was sentenced on Tuesday, February 3, 2009, to a total of 15 years. He accepted a plea bargain and was charged with an F3 felony instead of an F2. Had they pursued the F2, he could have been sentenced to 32 years. Something that really bothers me is that this man, Michael Rose, has 4 or 5 prior DUI convictions, yet the state hasn't permanently suspended his license. He should never be allowed to drive again. I am putting the link to Haikuhelp.com back on my site. Those of you able to donate, please do.
I also have some exciting info from a National Kidney Foundation newsletter that I will post after work tonight!
Anyone who needs to contact me, please email me at kdh621@gmail.com. I receive my emails immediately and if I am busy, I can get back to you sooner than if you leave a comment on the blog.
Thanks!
Here's a little update:
Greg's 1 year check up was wonderful. He is healthy and feeling so much better. We did find out that the amazing Dr. Bashir Sankari is no longer with Charleston Area Medical Center's Transplant Team. He has relocated to Indianapolis to start a new transplant center. If anyone is considering donation near Indy, he is amazing and I would not hesitate to have him as a surgeon.
I am also fine; no problems with my health. Unless I want to count gaining back the weight I was losing! But I'm working on it. Goal is to lose at least 30 lbs. before my birthday; 50 lbs. by the end of the year. I adopted a very athletic new dog, Bella, from the Franklin County Animal Shelter so she will be helping with this weight loss plan. I will post a picture of her and the Love Scar later.
Rachel Widomski update: The man that ran her over last May was sentenced on Tuesday, February 3, 2009, to a total of 15 years. He accepted a plea bargain and was charged with an F3 felony instead of an F2. Had they pursued the F2, he could have been sentenced to 32 years. Something that really bothers me is that this man, Michael Rose, has 4 or 5 prior DUI convictions, yet the state hasn't permanently suspended his license. He should never be allowed to drive again. I am putting the link to Haikuhelp.com back on my site. Those of you able to donate, please do.
I also have some exciting info from a National Kidney Foundation newsletter that I will post after work tonight!
Anyone who needs to contact me, please email me at kdh621@gmail.com. I receive my emails immediately and if I am busy, I can get back to you sooner than if you leave a comment on the blog.
Thanks!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Diabetes: The Leading Cause of Kidney Failure
Sorry I haven't posted in quite some time. I have been crazy busy. Here is detailed info about the leading cause of kidney failure. Info is courtesy of lifeclinic.com.
Diabetes is a disease which causes a high glucose level and can cause kidney failure. Kidney failure develops in about 20% of all patients with diabetes.
Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure. However, it's also true that most people with diabetes don't go on to have end-stage kidney disease (ESRD).
Early in diabetes, the blood-filtering units of the kidneys are damaged. This means important proteins are lost in the urine. A urine test that measures protein can show beginning diseases. Later in the disease, the kidneys can't remove waste products from the blood.
There are five stages of diabetic kidney disease with the last stage being kidney failure. On average it takes a person with diabetes over 20 years to progress to the end stage. Both types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2, can lead to kidney disease. Type 1 is more likely to lead to end-stage kidney failure.About 40 percent of people with Type 1 diabetes develop severe kidney disease and end-stage kidney failure by the age of 50. Type 2 causes 80 percent of the end-stage kidney failure in African Americans and Native Americans. The key to preventing kidney disease in people with both types of diabetes is not smoking, getting regular blood pressure and urine protein tests, and preventing high blood sugar.
Often there are no symptoms of the disease until it progresses to the late stages. When symptoms do appear they include:
Fatigue
Insomnia
Weakness
Vomiting
Swelling
About 40 percent of people with Type 1 diabetes develop severe kidney disease and end-stage kidney failure by the age of 50. Type 2 causes 80 percent of the end-stage kidney failure in African Americans and Native Americans. The key to preventing kidney disease in people with both types of diabetes is not smoking, getting regular blood pressure and urine protein tests, and preventing high blood sugar.
Stage II - Small amounts of blood protein known as albumin leak into the urine. This is called microalbuminuria.
Stage III - The loss of albumin and other proteins speeds up. Some patients develop high blood pressure. The kidneys continue to lose the ability to filter waste. Many people are first diagnosed with kidney disease at this stage.
Stage IV - In this stage large amounts of urine are passed through the kidneys and high blood pressure almost always occurs.
Stage V - The ability of the kidneys to filter waste almost stops. Kidney dialysis or transplants are treatment options.
Often there are no symptoms of the disease until it progresses to the late stages. When symptoms do appear they include:
Fatigue
Insomnia
Weakness
Vomiting
Swelling
Ways to prevent diabetes kidney problemsYou can prevent diabetes kidney problems through the following means:
Keep your blood glucose levels under control. Talk to your doctor about your HbA1c test and what your goal should be.
Keep your blood pressure under control (130/85 mmHg or lower).
Have your kidneys checked at least once a year by having your urine tested for small amounts of protein.
Talk to your doctor about being placed on an ACE inhibitor to protect your kidneys.
Have any other kidney tests that your doctor recommends.
See your doctor if you think you have a bladder or kidney infection.
I think it would be a good idea to make sure you have your glucose levels checked once a year, which is normally done at a yearly physical. EVERYONE should see their doctor at least once a year to have the basics checked. Don't wait until you don't feel well, a lot of damage can be prevented if the disease is caught early.
I will also post a new picture of the "Love Scar" tonight.
Diabetes is a disease which causes a high glucose level and can cause kidney failure. Kidney failure develops in about 20% of all patients with diabetes.
Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure. However, it's also true that most people with diabetes don't go on to have end-stage kidney disease (ESRD).
Early in diabetes, the blood-filtering units of the kidneys are damaged. This means important proteins are lost in the urine. A urine test that measures protein can show beginning diseases. Later in the disease, the kidneys can't remove waste products from the blood.
There are five stages of diabetic kidney disease with the last stage being kidney failure. On average it takes a person with diabetes over 20 years to progress to the end stage. Both types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2, can lead to kidney disease. Type 1 is more likely to lead to end-stage kidney failure.About 40 percent of people with Type 1 diabetes develop severe kidney disease and end-stage kidney failure by the age of 50. Type 2 causes 80 percent of the end-stage kidney failure in African Americans and Native Americans. The key to preventing kidney disease in people with both types of diabetes is not smoking, getting regular blood pressure and urine protein tests, and preventing high blood sugar.
Often there are no symptoms of the disease until it progresses to the late stages. When symptoms do appear they include:
Fatigue
Insomnia
Weakness
Vomiting
Swelling
About 40 percent of people with Type 1 diabetes develop severe kidney disease and end-stage kidney failure by the age of 50. Type 2 causes 80 percent of the end-stage kidney failure in African Americans and Native Americans. The key to preventing kidney disease in people with both types of diabetes is not smoking, getting regular blood pressure and urine protein tests, and preventing high blood sugar.
5 Stages of Diabetes
Stage I - The flow of blood through the kidneys increases and the kidneys get bigger. People can stay in this stage indefinitely or advance to Stage II after many years.Stage II - Small amounts of blood protein known as albumin leak into the urine. This is called microalbuminuria.
Stage III - The loss of albumin and other proteins speeds up. Some patients develop high blood pressure. The kidneys continue to lose the ability to filter waste. Many people are first diagnosed with kidney disease at this stage.
Stage IV - In this stage large amounts of urine are passed through the kidneys and high blood pressure almost always occurs.
Stage V - The ability of the kidneys to filter waste almost stops. Kidney dialysis or transplants are treatment options.
Often there are no symptoms of the disease until it progresses to the late stages. When symptoms do appear they include:
Fatigue
Insomnia
Weakness
Vomiting
Swelling
Ways to prevent diabetes kidney problemsYou can prevent diabetes kidney problems through the following means:
Keep your blood glucose levels under control. Talk to your doctor about your HbA1c test and what your goal should be.
Keep your blood pressure under control (130/85 mmHg or lower).
Have your kidneys checked at least once a year by having your urine tested for small amounts of protein.
Talk to your doctor about being placed on an ACE inhibitor to protect your kidneys.
Have any other kidney tests that your doctor recommends.
See your doctor if you think you have a bladder or kidney infection.
I think it would be a good idea to make sure you have your glucose levels checked once a year, which is normally done at a yearly physical. EVERYONE should see their doctor at least once a year to have the basics checked. Don't wait until you don't feel well, a lot of damage can be prevented if the disease is caught early.
I will also post a new picture of the "Love Scar" tonight.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis
The following information was copied from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is scar tissue that forms in areas of the kidney that filter certain things out of the body. These areas are called glomeruli. They help the body get rid of harmful or unnecessary substances. Each kidney has thousands of glomeruli.
"Focal" means that some of the glomeruli become scarred, while others remain normal. "Segmental" means that only part of an individual glomerulus is damaged.
Causes
The cause of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is usually unknown. A small number of cases result from reflux nephropathy. The condition affects both children and adults. Males are affected slightly more often than females, and it also occurs more frequently in African Americans.
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis causes about 10 - 15% of all cases of nephrotic syndrome.
Symptoms
Foamy urine
Swelling of the body, called generalized edema, from retained fluids
Weight gain
Poor appetite
Exams and Tests
There are no strong clues to the diagnosis on physical examination, other than evidence of edema and elevated blood pressure. Signs of kidney renal failure and associated fluid overload may develop as the illness gets worse.
Tests may include:
Urinalysis
Kidney biopsy
Immunofluorescence microscopy test
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms associated with nephrotic syndrome and chronic kidney failure. For detailed treatment information for those conditions, see:
Nephrotic syndrome
Chronic kidney failure
In general, treatments may include:
Low or moderate protein diet (1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day)
Low fat diet
Salt-free diet
Fluid restriction
Powerful anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce the immune response
Medicines to treat high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels
Antibiotics to control infections
Vitamin D supplementation
Dialysis
Kidney transplantation
Outlook
Over half of all persons with focal or segmental glomerulosclerosis develop chronic kidney failure within 10 years.
Possible Complications
Chronic kidney failure
End-stage kidney disease
Nephrotic syndrome
Malnutrition
Infection
When to Contact a Medical Professional
You should call your doctor if symptoms develop, especially if there is fever, pain with urination, or decreased urine output.
Prevention
No prevention is known.
Update Date: 5/15/2007
Updated by: Robert Mushnick, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Nephrology, SUNY Downstate Health Center, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M.
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is scar tissue that forms in areas of the kidney that filter certain things out of the body. These areas are called glomeruli. They help the body get rid of harmful or unnecessary substances. Each kidney has thousands of glomeruli.
"Focal" means that some of the glomeruli become scarred, while others remain normal. "Segmental" means that only part of an individual glomerulus is damaged.
Causes
The cause of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is usually unknown. A small number of cases result from reflux nephropathy. The condition affects both children and adults. Males are affected slightly more often than females, and it also occurs more frequently in African Americans.
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis causes about 10 - 15% of all cases of nephrotic syndrome.
Symptoms
Foamy urine
Swelling of the body, called generalized edema, from retained fluids
Weight gain
Poor appetite
Exams and Tests
There are no strong clues to the diagnosis on physical examination, other than evidence of edema and elevated blood pressure. Signs of kidney renal failure and associated fluid overload may develop as the illness gets worse.
Tests may include:
Urinalysis
Kidney biopsy
Immunofluorescence microscopy test
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms associated with nephrotic syndrome and chronic kidney failure. For detailed treatment information for those conditions, see:
Nephrotic syndrome
Chronic kidney failure
In general, treatments may include:
Low or moderate protein diet (1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day)
Low fat diet
Salt-free diet
Fluid restriction
Powerful anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce the immune response
Medicines to treat high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels
Antibiotics to control infections
Vitamin D supplementation
Dialysis
Kidney transplantation
Outlook
Over half of all persons with focal or segmental glomerulosclerosis develop chronic kidney failure within 10 years.
Possible Complications
Chronic kidney failure
End-stage kidney disease
Nephrotic syndrome
Malnutrition
Infection
When to Contact a Medical Professional
You should call your doctor if symptoms develop, especially if there is fever, pain with urination, or decreased urine output.
Prevention
No prevention is known.
Update Date: 5/15/2007
Updated by: Robert Mushnick, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Nephrology, SUNY Downstate Health Center, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M.
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