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As a hemodialysis patient, you want to learn all you can about your treatment and what you can do to ensure your health is at its best. One important area you should know about involves infectious diseases. These are diseases that happen when harmful germs get into your body and make you ill....

Natural disasters (blizzards, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.) or electrical power blackouts can disrupt healthcare services, such as dialysis treatment. The aim of the information on this website is to help you prepare for possible emergencies. By knowing what to do and preparing...

Diabetic kidney disease is a decrease in kidney function that occurs in some people who have diabetes. It means that your kidneys are not doing their job as well as they once did to remove waste products and excess fluid from your body. These wastes can build up in your body and cause damage to...

I’ve heard different terms for not receiving dialysis. What do they mean? You may have heard of stopping or not starting dialysis. This is also called “conservative care” or “medical management.” This type of care can meet different goals depending on your specific needs and overall health....

What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in your blood. Your body needs cholesterol in certain amounts. Your body can make cholesterol as well as get it from eating meats and other animal food products. Too much cholesterol in the blood is bad. Why is too much cholesterol...

What is Fabry Disease? Fabry disease is a rare disorder that happens when the body lacks an important enzyme called alpha-galactosidase A (alpha GAL). This enzyme breaks down certain fats so they can be removed from cells and passed out of the body or be recycled for other functions. When alpha GAL...

When a family member develops kidney failure, the whole family is affected, even if they don't all show it. Everyone has questions about how kidney failure will affect their own and the patient's life and future plans. If a parent develops kidney failure, children have questions too. Some children...

What is High Potassium (Hyperkalemia)? High levels of potassium in the blood (called hyperkalemia) is unpredictable and can be life-threatening. It can cause serious heart problems and sudden death.1-3 There are often no warning signs, meaning a person can have high potassium without knowing it....

Many people have been led to believe that you can’t be a vegetarian or follow a mainly plant-based diet if you have kidney disease. But recent studies suggest that people with kidney disease can follow a plant-based or vegetarian diet if they know how to do it wisely. These types of diets may help...

Heart disease is very common in people with kidney disease or kidney failure.  In fact, it is the leading cause of death in people with kidney failure.  But there are things you can do to keep your heart and blood vessels healthy.  If you already have heart disease?  You can...

Why is exercise important to me? Exercise is important for many reasons: It helps you to: Maintain a healthy weight Prevent many diseases including diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease Control blood pressure and cholesterol Build strength and endurance Prevent injuries Build self-confidence and...

Good nutrition is the key to good mental and physical health. Eating a balanced diet is an important part of good health for everyone. The kind and amount of food you eat affects the way you feel and how your body works. What are nutrients? Nutrients are ingredients in food that help you: Grow...

What is minimal change disease? Many diseases can affect your kidney function by attacking and damaging the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units inside your kidney where blood is cleaned. The conditions that affect your glomeruli are called glomerular diseases. One of these conditions is minimal...

Thin basement membrane disease (TBMD) is an inherited disorder that mainly affects the glomeruli, which are tiny tufts of capillaries (small blood vessels) in the kidneys that filter wastes from the blood. It is a rare disorder that has been diagnosed in less than 1 percent of the population. The...

The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and is located below the bladder, the organ that stores urine. The prostate gland is part of the reproductive system in men. The job of the prostate gland is to make fluid for semen, which is used to carry sperm during ejaculation. Why does the...

By Laura Byham-Gray, PhD, RD, CNSD Diabetes and the Kidney Keeping in good blood glucose control is important for lowering your risk for health complications. Glucose, often described as sugar, is made by the body, usually after eating, and serves as the fuel for every body cell. Diabetes mellitus...